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Gilmour football: 2022 season preview

chris lillstrung, the news-herald, willoughby, ohio
·3 min read

Aug. 16—Just the facts

Conference: Independent

OHSAA: Division III, Region 9

Head coach: Tommy Zagorski, first year

2021: 7-3

Twitter: @GALancerAD

Home field: Weber Stadium

Schedule

(Subject to change)

Aug. 19: Rhodes at Gilmour, 7 p.m.

Aug. 26: Gilmour at Warrensville Heights, 7 p.m.

Sept. 2: Gilmour at Hawken, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9: Gilmour at NDCL, 7 p.m.

Sept. 16: Cardinal Stritch at Gilmour, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24: Gilmour at University, 2 p.m.

Oct. 1: Gilmour at Cleveland Central Catholic, 1 p.m.

Oct. 7: Gilmour at Brush, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14: Shaw at Gilmour, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21: Lutheran East at Gilmour, 7 p.m.

#NHfootball preview: @GALancerAD's Rocco Hice (#NHhockey player too, which is always a plus in my book ) discusses the upcoming 2022 season

(Team capsule will be published online/in print in the days ahead) pic.twitter.com/pipd5LdjeR

— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) August 15, 2022

Projected lineup

OFFENSE

QB: Jake Kavcic*, Jr., 5-10, 175

RB: Andy Kavcic*, Jr., 5-10, 175

Y: Will Lazzaro, Sr., 6-4, 230

H: Tommy McCrone*, Sr., 6-0, 170

Z: Jesse Shepherd*, Sr., 6-0, 170

X: Sean Dillard, So., 6-1, 185

LT: Paul Keibler, Sr., 6-4, 260

LG: Griffin Johnson*, Sr., 6-0, 220

C: Nick Speyer*, Jr., 6-0, 210

RG: Louka Babic*, Sr., 5-10, 205

RT: Hunter Sebulsky*, Sr., 6-1, 245

K: TBD

DEFENSE

DE: Aaron McCarter, So., 6-0, 215

DT: Hunter Sebulsky*, Sr., 6-1, 245

DT: Brody Lennon, So., 6-4, 220

DE: Aiden McNamara, So., 6-1, 190

LB: Alex Melaragno, Jr., 6-2, 220

LB: Rocco Hice*, Sr., 5-11, 200

Nickel: Andy Kavcic*, Jr., 5-10, 175

CB: Bray Green*, Jr., 6-1, 170

CB: Darrion Clark, So., 6-1, 170

FS: Jake Kavcic*, Jr., 5-10, 175

SS: Lars Broberg, So., 6-1, 160

P: Andy Kavcic*, Jr., 5-10, 175

#NHfootball preview: @GALancerAD's Andy Kavcic discusses the upcoming 2022 season

(Team capsule will be published online/in print in the days ahead) pic.twitter.com/oZpc55ObOp

— Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) August 15, 2022

*: returning starter; Returning letterwinners: 20

Key reserves: Quinn Cavanaugh, So., 5-10, 180, Matt Lambert, So., 5-11, 160

Outlook

Aspiration should be bold in Gates Mills coming off a seven-win campaign, in Year 1 under Zagorski with no dearth of returnees and night home football for the first time. The Kavcic brothers are the building block with their two-way efficiency and production. The size and experience on the offensive line, along with the athleticism on defense, is encouraging.

Player to watch

QB/FS Jake Kavcic, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound junior and returning second-team News-Herald honoree, accounted for 1,700 yards from scrimmage and 23 TDs last fall. Improvements in both could be in the offing for this workhorse.

Underclassman to watch: Zagorski lauds Sean Dillard, a 6-1, 185-pound sophomore, for his ball skill and potential invaluable contribution in all three facets.

Bottom line

IF: the Kavcics stay healthy and the defense is as active as it appears it could be, THEN: another season around 7-3 or better challenging for a home playoff game is doable for this talented group.