Carleton Airport Jets 2024 Team Preview

Airport enters the 2024 season fresh off their best season in nearly two decades and first league championship in a minute while welcoming in first-year Head Coach Derek Anderson. The Jets suffered heavy graduation losses, but return 11 starters.

Players to Watch:

1.**Zak Vanbuskirk, Senior, running back and linebacker. Zac will be key on both sides of the football. We will be looking for his leadership and his versatility will help us move him around to make plays. Defensively he was third on the team in tackles last season.

2. **Isaac Kemp, Senior, offensive lineman and linebacker. Isaac is a tough nose player that will patrol the middle of the field for us. He has a knack for finding himself around the ball and has a great skill set to help him make plays. Offensively he is the leader of the o-line and will be someone that we will rely on to settle us down offensively when things don’t go our way.

3. **David Jankowski, Senior, quarterback and defensive back. David has a lot of speed and has played multiple positions for us over the past 3 years. His ability to make big plays on the offensive side of the football will be what we need to keep drives moving. Defensively David will sure up the back half of our defense.

4. **Aidyn Stahr, Junior, receiver and defensive back. Aidyn earned more reps last year as the season moved into the playoffs. He is a smart player that has the ability to stretch the field from the receiver position. On defense Aidyn will look to have a big impact on our secondary. We are excited to see his potential and growth this season.

5. **Tyler Furman, Senior, Tight end and linebacker. Tyler should give us a deep threat this season and his ability to block will help create rushing lanes for our backs. Tyler is a strong kid with a lot potential to be a big part of our defense.

ASSISTANT COACHES: Justin Nye, Clif Whitehouse, Matt Pinter, Josh Webb, Rodney Fater, Robbie McGrath, Dakota Bostic, Scott Ross, Derek Freidline.

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense: Isaac Kemp (L), Silas Satneck (L), Blake Haliburda (L), Aidyn Stahr (WR), David Jankowski (QB).

Defense: Tristan Philbeck (DL), Arjay Rhodes (DL), Isaac Kemp (LB), Zak Vanbuskirk (LB), Aidyn Stahr (DB), Jack Buck (DL).

OUTLOOK

Offense: “We will be young in the skilled positions. We will be looking to David Jankowski to lead the offense from the QB position. Multiple running backs will handle the responsibilities of carrying the ball, Jordan Fields Sr., Zak Vanbuskirk Sr., and Tyler Carroll Sr. On the edges we will be looking to get receptions from juniors Aidyn Stahr and Dillion Bryd. The offensive line has most of our returners on it with seniors Isaac Kemp, Blake Haliburda, Tristan Philbeck. Sophmores Silas Satneck and Holden Otter will sure up the line, both have experience at multiple positions.”

Defense: “Defensively we have more experience and will lean on the interior of our defense to help make stops. On the Defensive line we will be looking for seniors Arjay Rhodes and Tristen Philbeck to shutdown rushing lanes. At LB we have seniors Isaac Kemp, Zac Vanbuskirk, and Tyler Furman looking to generate tackles. Defensive backs Ayden Stahr, David Jankowski, and Dillion Bryd will be a lot more playing time this season.”

THE LEAGUE

The Huron League is traditionally tough. I don’t see that changing much heading into this season. Riverview, Flatrock, and SMCC will all be tough. These are our first 3 league opponents. We will know alot about our team after this stretch of league play.

COACH’S FINAL WORD

We are rebuilding this year and will rely on young talent. Our kids will show up and compete every week. We are excited to see what this group of seniors will do and how this team will develop throughout the season.

FNV Outlook: Expect the Jets to be solid, but with a rugged Huron League schedule to go with Carlson and Avondale in the non-league, wins may be hard to come by. Coaches rarely leave with the cupboard full, but it isn’t bare in Carleton either.