Kozaczuk, Knights took steps forward on the gridiron this fall

Glendale - Both coach and player learned to acclimate this season during the Nicolet football team's better-than-it-looked 3-6 record.

"The kids learned the lay of the land and so did I," first-year coach Brad Kozaczuk said. "They found out what they needed to do to be successful.

"The real keys this year is that we had some good kids who could become good leaders if we, as a staff, were consistent with our message and our expectations of them."

It was a tough start for Kozaczuk as he was the fourth coach in as many years for the Knights and numbers were low at the start

"We had to make sure we were ready to step in and get things going right away," he said.

The numbers came up and the varsity finished the season with 38 players.

Leaders included quarterback/kicker/punter Brandon Kappel who became the Knights number one offensive threat, finishing with 152 yards rushing and six touchdowns while passing for 848 yards and six TDs. Back Treland Jenkins became the top rusher with 382 yards on 69 carries (5.5 average) while big Alex Walker was a dual threat, catching 17 balls for 258 yards (one TD) while also playing a great defensive end.

Bryce Bowen had 12 catches for 204 yards and a TD, too.

Kozaczuk couldn't say enough about Walker's leadership.

"He was generally on the quiet side and he was just a few votes short of team captain, but he went out there every day becoming a leader both vocally and with his actions," Kozaczuk said. "Just a tireless worker."

Others who had good years included lineman Brandon Kallas, linebacker Jon McKay, lineman Bernard Stutts and Bowen.

Kozaczuk also likes how the team stayed competitive against difficult competition.

"The biggest thing for us was to get everyone in tune with the system," he said. "New systems, new coaches, but the same goals. Our biggest goal right now is to get more coaches in the building. That's how teams become successful. We want to work to become part of the school."

Seniors included Denzel Allen, Malcolm Link, Elmer Payne, Bowen, Kappel, Stutts, Walker, Steven Stokes, DeShannon Jones, McKay and Kallas.