Overview...Though Menchville finished 0-10 for the second consecutive season, the 2005 season was markedly better than the 2004 campaign. Last year was the first time in three seasons that the Monarchs allowed fewer than 40 points per game and, on the offensive side of the ball, the Monarchs moved the ball through the air ranking twelfth in region for passing yards. There are still some areas of concern however, including their 20.5 yards rushing yards gained average and the fact that they scored only 21 points total in their final five games last year.

Offense...Menchville returns eight starters to an offense that, while it didn't necessarily excel, showed vast improvement. A key returning player is senior quarterback Rakeem Kersey [6-1, 175] who threw for nearly 1,200 yards last season. He'll have experienced players to throw to as Nick Lennartz [6-3, 260] returns at tight end with a deep corps of returning wideouts that includes Antonio Harris [5-11, 175], James Foxworth [6-0, 175], T.J. Davidson [6-1, 180], Steve Crisp [5-11, 185] and Anthony Garlick [5-9, 155]. The Monarchs passing game should exceed their 2005 stats because, according to the coach and players, they spent a good portion of the offseason focusing on their strength, conditioning, and offensive line play. The Monarchs will field a larger line than they have in the past anchored by James Prince [6-3, 245], a second team all-district player last season, Brian Chisholm [5-11, 225], Cazzion McCarthy [5-8, 220], Walt Pavusa [5-11, 285], Daniel Vandyke [6-4, 305] and Larry Jones [6-1, 285]. That group should also allow the rushing attack to improve, a major focus of this year's squad. Byron will use both Eli Jackson [6-1, 215] and Adam Edbauer [6-0, 195] at fullback while returning starter Franklin Isaac [5-10, 195], Otis Wesby [5-8, 160], and Donnell Whitehead [5-9, 165] will take most of the snaps at tailback.

Defense...Byron admits that the defense was "our greatest area of concern going into the offseason." The unit returns seven starters, but the coach says that they had to "address our personnel [issues] on defense." Nick Lennartz, perhaps the most versatile player on the squad, leads a unit that includes James Prince, Larry Jones and Walt Pavusa on a d-line that gives the Monarchs much more size than last season. A young but fairly athletic linebackers group includes DJ Bowling [6-2, 205], Eli Jackson, Brandon Hodges [5-9, 165], Donnell Whitehead, and Mario Thompson [6-1, 190]. They will have to grow up quickly in the Peninsula District where a majority of teams pound the ball on the ground -- something that Byron has addressed with the team. "Plain and simple, you have to stop the running game in the Peninsula District," says the coach. The secondary is experienced as Byron will count on as many as five seniors -- Franklin Isaac, James Foxworth, Adam Edbauer, Antonio Harris and Jeff Trimble [5-8, 165].

Outlook...Though they enter the season riding a 21-game losing streak, there's reason for hope in Menchville as the Monarchs will likely be favored in their opening contest and will have a good shot at picking up another win or two along the way. Making a four or five game leap in the Peninsula District would be a major, and possibly unrealistic, accomplishment for this program right now. With guys all over the field that will be playing their third and fourth seasons on varsity, Byron expects to make fewer mistakes than in years past which should lead to the team being more competitive on a week to week basis. Both the team and the coach are hungry to turn around the Monarchs program.

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Associated Pics

QB Rakeem Kersey	DL Nick Lennartz