Epenesa, Edwardsville aim for state title

By David Wilhelm

Updated August 24, 2016 1:18 PM

As usual, the Edwardsville Tigers will present plenty of concerns for their opponents.

The Tigers’ centerpiece talent, Iowa recruit A.J. Epenesa, figures to be one of the top defensive ends in the Midwest, and he will shine his resume by also taking reps in the backfield.

Linebacker Cyress Ahart, defensive lineman Tate Rujawitz, quarterback Brenden Dickmann, lineman Lucas Davis, tight end/defensive end Nathan Kolesa and placekicker Riley Patterson provide even more punch for a team that was 9-1 and won the Southwestern Conference last season. All are seniors.

“We would like to win a conference championship and we would like to put ourselves in position to compete for a state title. I think this group has that potential,” said Edwardsville coach Matt Martin, whose club’s only loss was to Waubonsie Valley in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs.

Defense

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Epenesa was the dominant player on defense last season and the same is expected this fall. Epenesa overwhelms foes with athleticism, strength and footwork seldom seen from high-school defensive ends.

Kolesa replaces Desmond Chapple at the other end.

“He doesn’t have some of the physical attributes that Desmond had, but Nathan is a pretty good athlete,” Martin said. “He’s a tough kid and he’s smart, so he’ll be a difference-maker for us.”

We would like to win a conference championship and we would like to put ourselves in position to compete for a state title. I think this group has that potential.

Matt Martin

Edwardsville head football coach

Rujawitz moves to the defensive line from the offensive line. Juniors Nick Thomas and Drew Johnson are backups. Senior Jason Queen, senior Justin White, junior Rodney Smith are cornerbacks, senior Travis Anderson is a safety, as are sophomores Kendall Abdur-Rahman and Norman Harris.

Ahart will be a vocal leader at linebacker.

“He needs to be. He’s a third-year starter,” Martin said. “He should take more control of that defense. In fact, that’s what we expect from him.”

Inside linebackers are juniors Ryan Connelly and Collin Cox and seniors Mitch Williams and Andrew Holderer. Outside linebackers are junior Sam Tilden and senior Tyrese Brown.

Offense

With the graduation losses of Jackson Morrissey and Kendell Davis, Edwardsville will need production on the ground from Epenesa, previously a tight end.

“The problem with putting him at tight end and receiver ... is defenses can do some things that mess with the quarterback’s reads,” Martin said. “When you hand him the ball, you don’t have to let defenses dictate what you’re going to do.”

Senior Brenden Dickmann takes over for Riley Jones at quarterback. Dickmann threw for five touchdowns last year.

“He’s come a long way, and I expect him to keep improving,” Martin said. “He’s one of those kids that grew up in this community and all he ever wanted to be was a Tiger football player. I don’t worry about guys like that.”

Senior Chris McCartney, sophomore Dionte Rogers and Ahart on occasion are other running backs, joining Epenesa.

Junior R.J. Wilson replaces Epenesa at tight end. Anderson, and senior D.J. Harris and Daval Harris are other receivers, along with junior Joe King and senior James Fulton. Linemen are junior Cale Warrer at center, senior Garrett Burns at guard or tackle, senior Lucas Davis and Tyler Schmitt at tackle, senior Jake Sill at guard and junior Jacob Stellhorn at tackle.

Patterson kicked seven field goals last season and is being recruited by several Division I programs.

Southwestern Conference

ALTON: Redbirds young, but looking to improve

BELLEVILLE EAST: Young Lancers looking to grow under Stephens

BELLEVILLE WEST: Maroons celebrating football centennial

COLLINSVILLE: Kahoks trying to take the next step

EAST ST. LOUIS: Flyers look forward from strike-shortened season

GRANITE CITY: Warriors looking for improvement

EDWARDSVILLE: Tigers, Epenesa ready for state run

O’FALLON: Panthers return plenty of depth, fire power

Cahokia Conference (Mississippi Division)

CARLYLE: Good depth of talent for Class 2A