Community’s 2024 football season kicks off on Friday against the Peoria Richwoods Knights, with the Ironmen aiming to build on last season’s 12-1 record and best postseason finish since 2007.

Despite graduating most of last season’s defensive starters, head coach Mr. Jason Drengwitz said, the Iron aren’t dwelling on the departures. 

“Those seniors,” Drengwitz said, “really led by example and showed the guys stepping up into position this year how to go about your business, how to practice and prepare and get yourself ready for Friday.”

The new-look defense doesn’t lack experience, Drengwitz said.

The squad has the benefit of “all the extra practices” from last season’s deep postseason run, the coach said, “whether they were backups or playing scout.”  

That’s experience the Ironmen hope to leverage when they face a “much improved” Knights team from last season’s 3-6 squad. 

“They’re big,” and “they’re athletic,” Drengwitz said.

And they aren’t without experience of their own as Richwoods returners six offensive starters, including quarterback Bryce Hopkins, who will lead an aggressive offense attack.

“They like to take shots down the field,” Drengwitz said, and they have talent at receiver to execute.

A key for a Community win will be “keep[ing] a lid on things in the secondary,” the coach said.

That challenge will fall on players like Mar’Quan Gary, who will see extended time at corner this season in addition to his duties as receiver, and safety Craig Bennett III. 

Bennett, who saw action last season at running back as a junior, has transitioned well into his new role.

“He’s been a really great leader on defense,” the head coach said.

Community’s defense will also face a challenge up front as Richwoods boasts “a big O line that can move people” and “a big,” “physical” tailback.

A.J. Montoya returns for the Ironmen on defense, and the hard-hitting 235-pounder looks to play a big role in stopping the opponent’s ground game this season. 

To bolster Montoya’s play, the Iron will look to newcomers on the defensive front like Aramis Simmons, Kellen Augstin and Damarion Gardner. 

Simmons, Drengwitz said, had a great offseason.

The 265-pound defensive end has “put some weight on,” has “gotten bigger and stronger, and is “getting better every day.”

Augstin and Gardner dressed varsity as sophomores last season, but didn’t see action.

On offense, the Ironmen look to “push the tempo,” Drengwitz said, continuing the style of play that saw Community record over five touchdowns a game in the 2023 regular season.

The Ironmen’s offensive lineup remains mainly intact, featuring the return of the electric tandem of quarterback Kyle Beaty and receiver Gary.

The pair connected for 13 touchdowns as juniors; this season, Drengwitz said, the co-captains will be “the key” to the Iron offense. 

The Iron offense will look to senior Calen Taylor to fill the backfield void after Tommy Davis’s graduation.

Last season, Davis led the team with 20 rushing touchdowns.

Taylor will have the benefit of an experienced offensive line: taking handoffs behind returners Bradyn Mazanowski, Reed Johnson and Alden Wagoner.

While the Ironmen look to repeat last season’s success: winning the Big 12, making the playoffs and a deep postseason run, Drengwitz said that all begins with week one.

“All we’re focused on right now is playing Peoria Richwoods,” the coach said. 

The Ironmen travel to Peoria, kicking off at 7 p.m.