Few Section III football programs fight the numbers game like Bishop Ludden does.
At a school with fewer than 200 students, male and female, putting together a full roster is difficult, and as head coach Mike Rogers will quickly point out, any injury is devastating since most of his players go both ways and spend the full 48 minutes on the field. Such was the case in 2014, where the Gaelic Knights did not win a game until October and ended up 2-6, far back in a competitive Class C West division where Syracuse’s Institute of Technology Central and Jordan-Elbridge (coached by former Ludden assistant Tim Hawkins) set the pace. ITC is gone now, moved up to Class B, but Rogers said the league is “as strong as ever.” Still, an opportunity for the Gaelic Knights to rise in the standings presents itself, if only its young group of skill players, plus five returning seniors, rounds into form. That youth is symbolized at quarterback, where sophomore Sh’ikem Lee takes over. The 6-foot-3 Lee, also a key member of Ludden’s basketball team, is taller than recent Gaelic Knights signal-callers, and just as effective running the ball as throwing it. But Lee can throw it deep, and that could mean big plays for junior Keandre Sanders and sophomore Joe Connor, who start at wide receiver, or tight end Travis Cote, who moves over from the interior line. There’s also the safety valve of junior running back Kevin Burkhart, who is bound to get a lot of carries behind a big, experienced line anchored by 6-foot-5, 350-pound tackle Xavier Graham, 300-pound tackle Joe Walsh and center Austin Hoyt. Burkhart’s workload will also include anchoring Ludden’s linebacker corps alongside Hoyt, with Graham and Walsh in front of them. Rogers said that Hoyt, in particular, could dominate on both sides of the line of scrimmage, causing added attention that could benefit his teammates. Sanders and Connor were both second-team All-League selections at defensive back a year ago, giving the Gaelic Knights an effective way to counteract opponents’ passing attacks. Friday’s opener against Pulaski is one of four home games for Ludden, who also welcome league newcomers LaFayette and Phoenix, plus Canastota. The road games include a visit to Bishop Grimes Sept. 12, a trip to J-E a week later and, on Oct. 9, a long venture to Sherburne-Earlville. Rogers said that playing Grimes makes sense for both programs, given their Catholic affiliation, proximity and small-school pedigree. More crosstown showdowns might follow in the future as Ludden battles to find winning form again.