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After a difficult 2-8 season last year, first-year Kennedy football head coach Randolph Warren called a meeting for the would-be seniors.

"I just told them that next year is their season," he said. "They have to make sure these 10th and 11th graders put in work during the offseason so their senior season will be memorable."

Those seniors took it upon themselves to encourage the younger players to come to the offseason football workouts.

"I'm talking about going up to houses and knocking on the door, asking ‘Where were you yesterday?'" said Warren. "Our overall team strength is better, which will help us to become more resilient to injury."

Leading the charge is senior quarterback Bisi Ezekoye, one of the top players in the county. Ezekoye is a Division I recruit and Maryland Crab Bowl participant; not to mention an accomplished sprinter who is the 2009 outdoor 100-meter dash Maryland state champion in Class 3A.

Ezekoye will be the key catalyst in Warren's option attack as a kind of quarterback/running back hybrid, meaning all the major decisions will be in his hands. And Warren believes that is something he will handle successfully.

"All the decisions will be with him," Warren said. "He is an intelligent player; it's not just speed and athleticism."

The Cavaliers return nine of their 22 starters from last season as opposed to just three in the 2008 campaign. Warren now has a year in Montgomery County under his belt, so the team has fewer question marks than a year ago.

Three of those nine returning players are on the offensive line: Robert Bowers, Joseph Smithey and Bowei Oki. They should help open up running lanes for the creativity of Ezekoye, who the Cavaliers would like to get in to open space where he can create mismatches as much as possible.

On defense, Warren looks for playmakers to fit his 3-4 scheme. Ezekoye will play defensive back as well as special teams, while the versatile Kevin Somengia — who led Kennedy in both receptions and tackles in 2008 — will play strong safety, in addition to slot receiver and running back.

Oki will also bring experience to the linebacking corps, along with Inongo Agbormbai. Defensive back Pierce Ogden will look to make an impact, as well. Another of the Cavalier two-way players, Bowers, plays nose tackle and will anchor Kennedy's three-man line on defense.

Perhaps the main difference from last year in Warren's eyes is the commitment and willingness to get better. At the end of practice, he oversees his punter and return man putting in extra time and their respective positions.

"Last year, those players would have beat me to the locker room and out of here," he said. "This year we have the guys who want to get better; everybody is holding each other accountable."

Kennedy

Head coach: Randolph Warren, 2nd year (6th overall, 13-37)

League: Montgomery 3A

Last year's record: 2-8

Last playoff appearance: 2007 (5th)

Last state title: 1985 (2nd)

Players to watch: QB Bisi Ezekoye, WR/DB Kevin Somengia, OL/DL Robert Bowers

2008 results

Sept. 5 — Damascus (L), 26-6

Sept. 12 — Springbrook (L), 45-0

Sept. 19 — Paint Branch (L), 40-0

Sept. 26 — Einstein (L), 22-12

Oct. 4 — B-CC (W), 22-20

Oct. 10 — Watkins Mill (W), 14-8

Oct. 17 — Seneca Valley (L), 50-0

Oct. 24 — Blair (L), 27-8

Oct. 31 — Wheaton (L), 23-13

Nov. 7 — Northwood (L), 26-15

2009 schedule

Sept. 4 — at Quince Orchard, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 — Einstein, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 17 — at Watkins Mill, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 — Wheaton, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 — at Seneca Valley, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 — Blake, 2 p.m.

Oct. 16 — at Clarksburg, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 23 — Rockville, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 30 — at Northwood, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 6 — Damascus, 6:30 p.m.