Growing gains
CLARION — Clarion University football coach Chris Weibel says he has witnessed “moments of greatness” with his offense.
The Golden Eagles want more, of course.
Knoch graduate Mark Kroneberg and Karns City grad Maverick Kelsea plan to be among those giving more. But all will have to be patient.
Clarion (1-8) ranks last in the PSAC in scoring offense this season at 14 points per game. They are averaging less than 300 yards per game offensively.
“A lot of that is the fact we're so young,” said Weibel, an East Brady graduate. “That unit has a chance to grow and mature together. I'm confident they'll do that.
“Mark and Maverick are two key pieces in that plan.”
Of Clarion's 11 starters on offense, nine are freshmen or sophomores. That includes the quarterback, running back, two wide receivers and the slot back. It also includes Kroneberg and Kelsea.
Kroneberg is a true freshman now starting at center for Clarion. He was playing at guard before trading spots with all-conference lineman Zack Morris.
The 6-foot-2, 295-pound Kroneberg had not played center since eighth grade.
“And that was with our quarterback under center,” he said. “Moving to that position in the shotgun has been an adjustment, for sure,” Kroneberg said.
Kroneberg had only one errant snap in a steady rain last Saturday in the Golden Eagles' loss at Slippery Rock. He was a two-way starting lineman as a senior at Knoch last year and made all-conference on both sides of the ball.
“It is extremely difficult for an offensive lineman to start as a freshman in this league,” Weibel said. “Taking on the duties at center is even tougher. But Mark is answering that challenge.
“He's a strong kid who is only going to get stronger.”“Like Coach said, 'moments of greatness,'” Kroneberg repeated. “We know we have ability. We just have to mature individually and as a unit.”Kelsea, a red-shirt freshman, rushed for 18 touchdowns as a senior at Karns City in 2015. He had 102 tackles as a linebacker for the Gremlins that year.At 6-foot, 210 pounds, he is starting at tight end for Clarion this season. He has three catches for 40 yards, but the ball is rarely thrown in his direction.“When I come in, we usually run the ball,” Kelsea said. “My job is to block down and create a hole for the running back.“I'm thankful to be given the opportunity to play here. I'm a little surprised, maybe, to be starting so quickly, but I feel like I've earned it.”Kroneberg said he came to Clarion “because I liked the coaches and it was a good fit for me.“I also saw how young the team was going to be. I want to get better each year and help the team get better as well,” he added.Kelsea joined the Golden Eagles because Clarion was the only college program that showed interest in him.“They gave me a chance when nobody else would,” Kelsea said. “I want to make that pay off for them and for me.”Coming from East Brady, Weibel said he knows the type of football player that dons a uniform at Karns City.“I know all about those kids,” the coach said. “Maverick wanted to play at this level and I was happy to give him the opportunity to prove himself.“Believe me, he hasn't disappointed. I'm very excited about what both of these guys are going to give to our program over the next few years.”
