Future looks bright for G-K
By JOHN SAHLY
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jsahly@daily-chronicle.com
GENOA – Genoa-Kingston's season didn't end with a playoff berth, leaving the Cogs at home for the playoffs after making it in back-to-back seasons.
But the 4-5 Cogs' future looks bright. G-K brings back a host of players who saw significant action this season, including quarterback Craig Billington, running back Rob Thurlby, defensive lineman/offensive linemen Sean McIntyre and Austin Bankson and wide receiver/defensive back Matt Volkening.
"We've seen some bright spots," G-K coach Bill McCarty said. "Matt Volkening has come along and he's a good athlete. I think [junior offensive/defensive lineman] Clayton Chaberski has played pretty well. He's played a good defensive end and on the offensive side he's picked it up."
Difficult challenge: One of the bigger reasons why G-K struggled as the season progressed was the loss of running back Garrett Johnsen after the third game of the season to an injured foot followed by wide receiver/safety Nick Lopez injuring a hamstring in the sixth game of the year at Rockford Lutheran.
"I won't make the injuries an excuse because everybody has them, but God we had our share," McCarty said. "Nick missed half the season. We had two all-conference players miss most of the year."
Looking ahead: McCarty said he will evaluate positions and talk with his coaching staff to start preparing for next season, and those talks might include finding a fullback who could be of some use in wet weather games such as Friday's 18-12 loss to Byron.
"We don't have right now a true fullback, and that's hurt us, especially in games like this," McCarty said. "It's hard for Robby [Thurlby] to cut. It's hard for all the kids to cut."
Players of the Week
On offense, wide receiver Matt Volkening caught a 20-yard touchdown pass and threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Keith Dayton.
On defense, Tobias Canterbury blocked a punt that gave the Cogs the ball with 4:45 left in the fourth quarter and G-K down by six.
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