PRZNY Team Previews: Canisius Crusaders

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Last Season (5-6)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 started out slow as Canisius began the season losing their first three games. They would then go on to win their next three before closing the regular season out at 4-5. Canisius went on into the Monsignor Martin playoffs to defeat St. Joesph's Collegiate Institute 42-0 before losing in the Championship game to St. Francis 21-20. Although they finished with a losing record, it is clear they have a phenom at Running Back in the likes of Freshman, [player_tooltip player_id='778700' first='Elijah' last='Kimble'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Top Prospect</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["778700"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668fde0fbaaed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You will not see a Canisius game without hearing [player_tooltip player_id='778700' first='Elijah' last='Kimble']'s name. As a Freshman, Kimble ran for 1,821 yards and 19 touchdowns; furthermore, he recorded over 100 yards in every game he played. He was a first team All America honoree. There is not enough that can be said about this young man who has already received 11 Division I offers, including the University of Michigan. He will once again be the workhorse for the Canisius Crusaders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Four X-Factors</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["390762"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668fde0fbab83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Canisius' all-time receiving leader, [player_tooltip player_id='390762' first='Jahyden' last='Clark'] is entering his senior season and will expand on his school records that he has already broke. It doesn't matter if it is as a Wide Receiver or at Defensive Back, Clark is a difference maker. He has superior quickness, great leaping ability and he plays with a sixth sense that is rare to find. I expect him to be a huge part of Canisius' success once again this year and will commit to a high profile Division I University in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["505525"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668fde0fbabea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two way stud, [player_tooltip player_id='505525' first='Mason' last='Alnutt'] plays with ruthless aggression. A 1st team All-Catholic, All Western New York and All Region selection, Mason brings a dangerous combination of power, speed and agility to the game. Games are won and lost in the trenches and Alnutt is a player that Canisius will depend upon on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806578"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668fde0fbac4f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arguably the best lineman in Western New York, [player_tooltip player_id='806578' first='Patrick' last='Enright'] is the anchor to the Canisius run game that posted crazy video game like numbers in 2023. Enright is versatile as he can play every position on the Offensive Line. He has incredible agility and excellent power. Enright is a for-sure candidate for the 2024 Trench Trophy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1282709"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668fde0fbacb3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lining up along side Enright is [player_tooltip player_id='1282709' first='George' last='Wiley V']; a dominant Offensive Guard who can completely manhandle the front four. A transfer from Lockport in 2023, Wiley was overlooked for all of Western New York's accolades. 2024 will be a different story with his feet deeply implanted as one of the best Lineman prospects in all of Western New York.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Breakout Player</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["522694"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668fde0fbad16"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='522694' first='Josh' last='Kandefer'] spent the 2023 season on Canisius' JV team and played quite well. With last year's QB, Vincent Zimmerman off to Mount Union, the position is up for grabs. There is some talk about Canisius bringing in a transfer to fill the spot but from what I have seen, I think Kandefer is their best bet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Names to Know</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><thead><tr><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Position</th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Player</th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Class</th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">LB</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='806776' first='Arno' last='Mbaiyo']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Solid aggressive LB that transferred from Hutch Tech</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">DL</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648871' first='Anthony' last='Pitts Jr']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2 time All Catholic selection looking to bounce back after missing the 2023 season</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">DL</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Amare Wallace</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">DE/LB tweener with a high motor and good size</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">ATH</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Darnell Gallimore</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">WR/DB dual threat coming from JV who has good athleticism</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">RB</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Comiah Jemison</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">RB who played the entire season on JV and was their best player. How he will be used alongside Kimble is yet to be seen but the talent is there</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Key Losses</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">RB</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Dyrell Howard-Dolson</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Saint Francis (PA)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">LB</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Hunter Jantzi</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Seton Hill</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">QB</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Vincent Zimmerman</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Mount Union</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">ATH</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648809' first='Damari' last='Yancey']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Transferred to Sweet Home</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">DB</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='806358' first='Nyzere' last='Richardson']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Transferred to Sweet Home</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">ATH</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='518166' first='Jack' last='Eskridge']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Transferred to North Carolina</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Schedule</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1334292,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Canisius-Schedule.jpg?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-1334292" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Outlook</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach:</strong> <strong>Kraig Kurzanski</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Canisius opens the season with their first 4 games on the road, 3 of which are out of state; that is not an easy task for any team. They lost 3 dynamic playmakers in Richardson, Eskridge and Yancey. That along with trying to replace their starting QB, 2024 looks to be an uphill climb. Luckily for them they will have three Non-League games before they go to face the likes of their division foes; St. Joe's, St. Francis and Timon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>3 Things Going For The </strong>Crusaders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Canisius has 3 Top-20 ranked Linemen in New York State</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably the most explosive running game in Western New York</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have at least 5 legitimate Division I prospects</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>1 Area of Concern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a question mark at Quarterback for the Crusaders. It's no secret that the success of Canisius relies on the legs of Kimble but without a Passing threat, they will become one dimensional and that is not a position any football team wants to be in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Last Word</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Canisius lost several key components from their 2023 team. They will be relying even more so on their rushing attack but it is one of the top running games in the area. Canisius will still be a force to be reckoned with but the Monsignor Martin League is one of the most competitive in the area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->