Kennett falls in district opener, but savors promising 2018 campaign

Yeadon >> A few minutes after Kennett lost to top-seeded Penn Wood, 40-6, Friday evening, Blue Demons head coach Lance Frazier stood in the pouring rain at Kerr Field and reflected on his team’s 2018 campaign and its first appearance in the District 1 Class 5A playoffs.

“We got here because of the hard work and sacrifice our guys put forth, it’s been a magical year,” said the 37-year-old Frazier, a former NFL player. 

Earlier this season, Kennett (4-7) bounced back from an 0-4 start to win four out of its next five games, posting back-to-back shutouts against West Chester Henderson and Oxford, outscoring those two teams by a combined 82-0. It all added up to a berth in the District 1 5A playoffs, as the 16th seed.

“When things got bad this season, our players carried us, they didn’t hang their head, they kept believing in what we’re doing,” said Frazier. “They worked their way back, and they absolutely deserve to be in the playoffs. I’m so proud of the growth and maturation of our guys this season; it’s been like nothing I’ve seen before.”

In its last six regular-season games, Kennett’s defense gave up an average of only 10 points per contest.

“We’ve got a tremendous first-year defensive coordinator in Scott Gee,” said Frazier. “And our assistant coaches did a great job, putting guys in the best situations to win, and keeping us fundamentally sound on defense.”

Frazier gave a shout-out to the Blue Demons’ on-field leader on defense, senior outside linebacker Josh Ploener.

“Josh is the unquestioned leader of our team, emotionally and physically, out on the field,” said Frazier of the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Ploener. “He just does everything right; he holds his teammates accountable, and he’s what a coach wants and wishes for.”

Kennett sophomore quarterback Sam Forte has been at the offensive controls for the Blue Demons this season, and with 11:12 left in Friday’s contest he provided a highlight for the visiting fans who made the trip to Penn Wood. Forte scrambled to the right side, then threw a 20-yard touchdown pass into the right corner of the end zone to Mitch Kosara.

The Blue Demons’ just-completed 2018 campaign was Forte’s rookie year as a signal caller. Last year, as a freshman starter, he was a cornerback and wide receiver on the varsity squad.

“Sam was thrown into the position, won the job in camp, no one saw it coming,” said Frazier. “Sam took his lumps earlier this year, but he’s turning into a well-rounded quarterback – he can hurt you with his legs, he can hurt you with his arm, and he’s only going to get better.”

Forte said, “It means a lot to be here tonight – no one thought we could make the playoffs this season. It’s pretty awesome; we would have liked to have won it tonight, but next year, we’ll be back and advance a little further.

“(Tonight’s touchdown) was pretty much a scramble play, (Kosara) ended up getting open, and I put it up there, and he pulled it in.”

“Mitch has been our Swiss Army knife all season,” said Frazier. “He’s a gamer. When the lights come on, you always have those guys who come up with plays like [Kosara’s touchdown catch]. Sam has complete faith in him.”

Frazier said, “I also have to take my hat off to my staff. We did a wonderful job working as a unit this season.

“And our linemen have grown so much this season. (Junior) John Colamarino has been our anchor on the offensive line. We’ve had a rotation of guys who have stepped up and made some big plays for us this season, made us a physical ball club – (senior) Matt Longacre, (junior) Sam Davidson, (junior])Javier Bedolla-Villagomez, and others.”

At halftime, Kennett athletic director Sean Harvey, spoke about the Blue Demons’ first-ever appearance in the District 1 5A playoffs.

“Tonight is a testament to the players and coaches for all of their hard work. I’m thrilled for them to be in this game, and this experience is only going to benefit us in the long run,” said Harvey.