As recently as 2014, Henninger was one of the best programs in Section III. The Black Knights went 12-1 that season, but then head coach Dave Kline shipped off to Cicero-North Syracuse. His staff followed. Since then, Henninger has yet to win more than two games in a season. With senior quarterback Alex Doughty back there’s thoughts that head coach Kevin Ryan — who took over after Kline’s departure — can bring the winning back.

“Henninger football to me, it’s pride,” Doughty said. “It’s how you carry yourself. You’ve got to play with that chip on your shoulder because you know you represent Henninger.”

Here’s The Daily Orange’s preview of the 2018 Henninger football team.

2017 record: 2-7

Head coach: Kevin Ryan; entering fourth season as head coach

Driving distance from SU: 1.9 miles

Players from last year’s team who graduated: 14

Notable returners:

• Alex Doughty, QB, senior
• Tyler Coon, OL/DL, senior
• Elijah Underwood, WR/CB, senior
• Myquell Brown, RB/LB, senior

Opening game: Aug. 31 at West Genesee

Key storyline:

• Seniors try to reinstill what Doughty called “Heninger football,” referring to the winning tradition of the Black Knights in the early 2010s.

---

---

What they’re saying:

WR/CB Elijah Underwood: “Our motto is ‘maximum effort.’ On the field, off the field, just trying to focus on having a good season.”

QB Alex Doughty: “As long as we get the opportunities to put the ball in the end zone, it doesn’t matter how we do it. Me and my guys, we’re gonna go out here, doesn’t matter how we run it, we’re gonna put the ball in the end zone.”

Doughty: “Henninger football to me, it’s pride. It’s how you carry yourself. You’ve got to play with that chip on your shoulder because you know you represent Henninger, and you’ve got to come out and you’ve got to represent. But you’ve got to do it the right way.”

Published on August 22, 2018 at 1:52 pm

Contact Billy: wmheyen@syr.edu | @Wheyen3