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Gilmour football: 2023 season preview

chris lillstrung, the news-herald, willoughby, ohio
·3 min read

Aug. 14—Just the facts

Conference: Independent

OHSAA: Division III, Region 9

Head coach: Tom Kaufman, first year

2022: 9-2

Twitter: @GALancerAD

Home field: Weber Field

Schedule

(Subject to change)

Aug. 17: Gilmour at Valley Forge, 7 p.m.

Aug. 25: Gilmour at Warrensville Heights, 7 p.m.

Sept. 1: Hawken at Gilmour, 7 p.m.

Sept. 8: NDCL at Gilmour, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15: VASJ at Gilmour, 7

Sept. 22: University at Gilmour, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28: Cleveland Central Catholic at Gilmour, 7 p.m.

Oct. 6: Brush at Gilmour, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13: Gilmour at Buckeye, 7 p.m.

Oct. 19: Lutheran East vs. Gilmour (at Euclid), 7 p.m.

#NHfootball preview: Gilmour's Jake Kavcic discusses the upcoming 2023 season

(Team capsule will go online in the coming days, & preview section will be in the paper later this week) pic.twitter.com/ZcZmlocB5i

— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) August 14, 2023

Projected lineup

OFFENSE

QB: Jake Kavcic*, Sr., 5-11, 185

TB: Andy Kavcic*, Sr., 5-11, 190

WR: Sean Dillard*, Jr., 6-1, 195

WR: Nick Iliano, Jr., 6-2, 185

WR: Matthew Lambert, Jr., 5-9, 170

TE: Brody Lennon, Jr., 6-4, 225

LT: Tim Lennon, So., 6-2, 220

LG: Luke Markowski, So., 6-0, 220

C: Nick Speyer*, Sr., 6-0, 225

RG: Jake Williams, Jr., 5-11, 215

RT: Alex Melaragno, Sr., 6-1, 220

K: Evan Wintersteller*, Sr., 5-10, 175

DEFENSE

DE: Brody Lennon*, Jr., 6-4, 225

DT: Alex Melaragno, Sr., 6-1, 220

DT: Nick Speyer*, Sr., 6-0, 225

DE: Kingston Seals, So., 6-2, 215

Mike: Aiden McNamara, Jr., 6-0, 205

Will: Bernard McDonald*, Jr., 5-11, 215

Penny: C.J. Santagata, So., 5-10, 195

CB: Brayden Green*, Sr., 6-0, 175

CB: Sebastian Cook*, So., 5-10, 170

FS: Lars Broberg*, Jr., 6-1, 175

SS: Quinn Cavanaugh, Jr., 5-10, 190

P: Andy Kavcic*, Sr., 5-11, 190

*: returning starter

Key reserves: Cooper Panteck, Jr., 6-4, 185, Bruno Cook, Fr., 6-1, 195, Tommy DeCicco, Sr., 5-11, 190

#NHfootball preview: Gilmour's Brayden Green discusses the upcoming 2023 season

(Team capsule will go online in the coming days, & preview section will be in the paper later this week) pic.twitter.com/bcDjm1xFrQ

— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) August 14, 2023

Best in the classroom: Jake Kavcic and Andy Kavcic, 4.0 GPA

Best bench press: Andy Kavcic, 280 pounds

Best squat: Brody Lennon, 460 pounds

Best 40 time: Lars Broberg, 4.51 seconds

Outlook

Fresh off nine wins, including a 5-0 start, and with the Kavcic brothers back for one last ride, aspirations should aim high in Gates Mills. Andy Kavcic accounted for nearly 1,500 yards and 20 total TDs a year ago. Sean Dillard (24 catches, six TDs) is a vertical threat, and that defense is seasoned and skilled. The key is that inexperienced offensive line must step up — and fast.

Player to watch

QB Jake Kavcic, a 5-11, 185-pound senior, is the epitome of a dual threat. He threw for a News-Herald coverage area-high 30 TDs in 2022 and is an elite decision-maker rolling or on the read option with his brother.

Underclassman to watch: Kaufman believes junior TE/DE Brody Lennon (6-4, 225) is a Power 5 talent with his speed and size combination.

Bottom line

IF: the trench play jells and holds up its end of the bargain, THEN: the Lancers have the quality to push for around eight wins and be a dangerous playoff team.