Outlook- After going an entire season (2020) without playing, the Fort Knox Eagles made quite a comeback with a four-win season and plenty of big plays on both sides of the ball. Coming into this season, head coach Wes Arnold will have a few returnees and playmakers and a good mix of others to step in to help.
Offense- Last season, the Eagles scored 174-points in eleven games, which was actually up from their 2019 total (152) and they did it with a young quarterback under center in Isaiah Morrison, who threw for 929-yards and 7-TDs. Often, Arnold would have several one-back formations and the bulk of the running game was carried by Kenlin Ortiz, who ran for 694-yards and 3-TDs, but with him gone and Tristan Griffin as well, sophomore Dre Wilson (248-yards) should pick up the load. Morrison’s prime targets were Griffin (37-catches), Lionel Taylor (20-catches) and Adrick Murray (17-catches). All are gone so there will be changes out on the flank. The Offensive Line will return Jacob Vaughn, Daniel Evans, Ryan Henry, Micheal Chavis and Ethan LaForme.
Kicking Game- Isaiah Morrison was the top kicker with 4-5 PAT’s and 1-1 on field goals.
Defense – The defense actually improved as well although they did allow a few more points (377 compared to 360 in 2019) and will return some starters. The Defensive Line will have Jacob Vaughn, Ethan Filo (who led the team in fumble recoveries) and Ethan LaForme. Ryan Henry and Micheal Chavis will also be back. Linebackers may have a few changes, but Danuel Evans will be back. The secondary will look very different with Easton Colvin, Jacob Guffee and Tristan Griffin gone, so Arnold will have to revamp the defensive backfield. Arnold believes that Dre Wilson, a returner on the defensive side will play a big part as well.
Summation- It’s always difficult trying to build a winner and no one knows that better than Arnold, who presides over a team which always goes through so many personnel changes. Still, he has done a pretty good job maintain a good talent base and the fact that kids are willing to come out and compete every season despite the circumstances says a lot for his ability to sell the product. This season, he said there are about 50-kids coming out for football and that will help with depth and the competitive edge he needs.
7-on-7 Action- Want to see the Eagles in July? Arnold said they will be competing on 7-on-7’s at Grayson County (July 14th), July 19th at Breckinridge County and July 23rd at Kentucky Wesleyan Tournament. The first two will be 9:30 am starts.
Schedule Breakdown: Fort Knox will actually not have to leave the friendly confines of their home Stadium until September as they will begin the season with three straight games at home starting with Shawnee (3-8), Sayre (8-3) and Eminence ((7-4) before finally traveling to Nicholas County (7-6) on Sept.9th and then to Fort Campbell (1-9) before coming home again to face Campbellsville (3-8). Then a road game in October to Jackson County (1-8), then Holy Cross (Louisville) (9-4) then home again against powerful Bethlehem (11-3) before finishing up at Caverna (5-6). The Eagles will face five teams with winning records this season.
