“I feel like the past two years we’ve set that standard that we make the playoffs,” coach Colton Rhodes said. “So that’s obviously the first goal. We’re going to take it week by week, but the playoffs are what we want.”
After a 14-12 win over Bradley-Bourbonnais in the Class 7A first round last season gave the Kahoks their first postseason win in program history, Collinsville is eager to get the 2023 season started and return to the playoffs for a third consecutive season.
“It doesn’t get much better than this,” Rhodes said. “I can’t wait for this season.”
The season starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at Belleville East.
“I’m so excited,” Devin Habermehl said. “I can’t wait.”
Habermehl, the 6-2, 230-pound defensive end and tight end, is one of the many returners from a Kahoks group that went 9-2 last season and won nine straight games after dropping the season opener 20-12 to Belleville East.
Habermehl and the Kahoks gave the Collinsville faithful a glimpse of the 2023 season at an intrasquad scrimmage last week. The bleachers were packed with community members and students ready to support the football team.
“I like how our community is supporting the team,” Habermehl said. “We weren’t very good for a while, but now we’ve stepped it up. We are a playoff-caliber team year by year. We get a lot of support from the fans and that helps a lot.”
Junior wide receiver and cornerback Chase Reynolds added, “It’s pretty great to see everyone come out. A while ago we had some drought seasons and now we come out here and everybody watches us. We look really good.”
Reynolds will look to be one of the main contributors on offense this season. The Kahoks’ offense is full of familiar faces, but with promotions and at different positions.
At quarterback is senior Darren Pennell, who led Collinsville with 454 receiving yards last season. He’ll be joined in the backfield by senior running backs Zay Norton and Ryan McIntyre. Norton is a bruiser in the backfield at 5-11 and 210 pounds. McIntyre is a shifty back that can spread the field.
“I’d love to see what Ryan McIntyre can do for us,” Rhodes said. “He’s going to be a senior and he hasn’t been able to contribute on varsity because of injuries, but the kid is going to play with his heart every single time. It’ll be interesting to see what he can do.”
McIntyre will also be the punter, while senior Nick Schantz will be the field goal kicker.
The offensive line will be led by senior guard Thomas Kohler. The three-year varsity starter is the only returner on the offensive line from last season.
“He’ll have a big role for us,” Rhodes said.
Kohler will be joined by seniors Edwin Kircher at guard and Corey Patton at center. Juniors Kaden Hearn and Jack Shepherd will be at tackle. Hearn is the biggest of the group and is listed at 6-1, 260 pounds.
Reynolds and junior Amari Rodgers-Parott will look to be downfield threats at receiver, while Habermehl will be at tight end.
“You’re going to see a lot of big things from Chase Reynolds,” Rhodes said. “He’s a guy who has worked hard this summer. Same with Amari Rodgers. Those are two juniors who are really going to step on... Click here to read full article
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