We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 Bishop Kenny football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Crusaders this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record:8-3
- Points Scored: 334
- Points Allowed: 172
Key Losses
As a 6-foot-4 TE/DE, Michael Leonard will be used primarily as a TE in college as he heads off to Davidson. His big frame will be missed in the Crusaders’ passing game and as a run blocker. In his two seasons as TE, Leonard caught 18 passes for an average of 14.7 yards per catch. From his DE spot, Leonard finished with 70 tackles, including 11 TFL and two QB sacks.
ATH Jackson Burnette will also go on to play college football as he heads to West Point to play for the Army. He played WR and DB (safety) while at Bishop Kenny.
WR/S Jayden Harris is off to Shorter College in Rome, where he’ll likely play receiver, according to Crusaders head football coach Tim Krause.
The coach added five-star P/K Ethan Eddins to the group of players not returning this year. Eddins will move on to kick for Southern Illinois University. He was a two-time All-State selection.
Who’s Back
Some solid talent returns to Bishop Kenny this year, including several core guys on both sides of the ball.
“We feel like there’s a solid group of guys returning, especially on offense,” said Krause.
He points to senior QB James Resar as the starting point on offense. This will be Year 3 for the Iowa-bound, four-star signal caller, and he’ll easily be one of the top three QBs in the First Coast this season to keep an eye on.
He’ll have protection up front with the return of OL Nat Politano, a senior who will also see time over on the defensive line. Politano was an All-State Honorable Mention and a First Team All-Area selection by the Florida Time Union last season.
Senior Nash Beenen will join Politano on the defensive side again this season. Beenen has committed to the U.S. Naval Academy.
Another key performer coming back in 2023 is junior WR/S JP Donovan, an All-State selection in 2022.
What to Expect
You get the feeling that this is a hungry group poised for a big season, and their head coach doesn’t really try to play that feeling down, either.
“We should be pretty good on defense this year with the big strides we took last season, but I think our real strength is our offense,” said Krause. “We have some weapons returning this season, especially with three-year starting QB (Resar) coming back.”
Bishop Kenny actually won their district championship last year, and with so many experienced players and contributors from that squad returning, you can see where Krause’s confidence in his 2023 team is coming from.
Prediction
Get ready for a fun season Bishop Kenny fans: 12-3 in 2023.
Game to Watch
Don’t miss the huge district matchup with Bolles on Oct. 27.
