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2024 Snapshot: Kings

Kings OL Kage Payne (photo by Ian Parrish: X: @photo_varsity)

After losing several all-ECC performers from the incredible 2022 Kings Knights team, the 2023 Knights struggled to maintain that success. The Knights followed up 2022’s 13-2 season with a 6-6 season that saw Kings tumbled ot the middle of the pack in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference.

Don’t tell that to the 2024 team, however. The Knights are looking to right the ship and get back on top once again.

“This team has been incredible this offseason,” Kings Head Coach Alex Garvin said. “Our leaders are our hardest workers, and we have one of the most talented rosters we have had in my time here.”

Garvin’s bunch will depend on the play and leadership of junior quarterback Grant Nurre, who returns after finishing third in the ECC in passing yards, second in passing touchdowns, and fourth in QB rating – all as a sophomore. Nurre’s experience should boost this team’s chances of winning more games and advancing further in the postseason.

While depth up front on both sides of the ball will be a challenge against teams with bigger linemen, the experience at the skills position, including First Team All-TSF wide receiver Nate Lyman and running back Carson Linholm, should offset those challenges by providing much needed explosiveness. Last season, Kings only scored 292 points, which was significantly down from 2022’s 595 points. If the Knights can get back up to even 400 points, that should put the rest of the conference on watch.

Division II, Region 8
2023 RECORD: 6-6, 4-5 ECC
COACH: Alex Garvin (43-14 at Kings, five years; 43-14 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Nate Lyman, Sr, WR – OPSWA Division II 1st Team All-Ohio & 1st Team All-TSF as a junior. He recorded 58 receptions for 1,314 yards and 19 touchdowns as a receiver – good enough for an astounding 22.7 yards per reception. Lyman is also a stud on defense, tallying nine tackles and one interception. He is committed to Eastern Michigan.

Kings WR Nate Lyman (photo by Chet Bentley/X: @photo_varsity)

Kage Payne, Sr, OL – OPSWA Division II 2nd Team All-Ohio and third Team All-TSF in 2023. The massive 6’ 3”, 280-pound lineman provides much-needed size up front and will be critical to the success of the offense. He has verbally committed to Troy.

Jacob Rudowski, Jr, DB/P – OPSWA Division II 3rd Team All-Ohio (P) in 2023. Rudowski recorded 44 tackles, one tackle for loss, two passes defensed, and three interceptions. Rudowski also had a longest punt of 71 yards. Nine punts landed within the 20 yard line.

Carson Linholm, Sr, RB – 1st Team All-ECC in 2023. Linholm rushed for 659 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also grabbing 18 receptions for 137 yards.

Kings RB Carson Lindholm

Caden Walker, Sr, DL – 1st Team All-ECC in 2023. In his junior year, Walked tallied 47 total tackles, seven sacks and an astounding 10.5 tackles for loss.

Grant Nurre, Jr, QB – The leader of the team returns after notching a Second Team All-ECC season as a sophomore. His stat sheet includes 2,396 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Toriano Johnson, Sr, DB – 2nd Team All-ECC in 2023. As a junior, Johnson was responsible for 33 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two interceptions.

Kato Meissner, Sr, DL – 2nd Team All-ECC in 2023. Meissner returns after recording 52 total tackles, four sacks, 13 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Kings TE/DE Kato Meissner (photo from X: @photo_varsity)

OTHER RETURNING STARTERS
Patrick Holubetz, Sr, LB – Holubetz will be a leader on defense after recording 66 tackles, one sack and 10.5 tackles for loss as a junior in 2023.

Carter Poirier, Sr, DB – Poirier looks to build off a junior season that saw him notch 53 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one interceptions. Poirier and Johnson will be key to the Knights defense in slowing down a pass-heavy conference.

Aiden Sanders, Jr, OL – Sanders will return to an offensive line that is critical for the success of the explosive skill position players. Health will be critical for Sanders and the rest of the offensive line.

Jaxon Frisk, Jr, WR – In three games last year, tallied three receptions for 28 yards.

Michael Farnham, Sr, LB – Farnham will be an anchor for the defense after recording 49 total tackles, three sacks, and 8.5 tackles for loss.

Zach Hoying, Sr, TE – Hoying could see his role expand in 2024 should the Kings offense take off like expected. Hoying pulled in seven catches for 70 yards last season. Also recorded 27 tackles on defense as well.

NEWCOMERS
Looking to crack the starting lineup and break into the rotation are juniors RB/WR/DB Jackson Bake, RB/WR Max Lockwood, LB Ben Lockwood, LB Josh Cassio, LB Grady McKelvey, LB Logan Burke, DL Bryce Renzenbrink, OL/DL Will Thomas, OL Sammy Evans, OL Blaise Walsh, OL Connor Bidwell as well as sophomores WR Andrew Lyman and WR/DB Nathan Tucker.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(18 appearances, 21-18) – 2023, 2022 (Regional Champion), 2021, 2020, 2108, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – SYCAMORE (5-6 in 2023) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – at Winton Woods (8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – at Loveland (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/13/24 – WEST CLERMONT (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 –  at Anderson (13-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – LEBANON (7-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/24 – LITTLE MIAMI (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/11/24 – at Milford (11-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/18/24 – TURPIN (3-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/24 – at Walnut Hills (0-10) – 7:00 PM

2024 Active Leaders: ECC

KINGS OF THE ECC
When people say last year was an anomaly when it comes to the tumble the Kings Knights took, that should be believed. The last time Kings only finished with six wins was in 2019 after a 6-4 affair with no playoff appearance. The following two years resulted in Kings winning the ECC. Since the creation of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference in 2012, Kings leads with the most conference championships with five.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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