Kellner returns to the sidelines this fall to coach what he considers to be another pretty good team—the Knights at The King's Academy. And while King's is making its varsity football debut this fall, Kellner is pretty optimistic about what he sees on the field.

"We know that first-year programs are traditionally not supposed to fare well, but we are fairly optimistic," said Kellner. "Obviously we don't have a lot of football experience, but we are physically strong and very smart."

"If we can stay healthy," he added, "we believe that we can play with anyone on our schedule."

King's has only 26 players on its roster for its first football season, but three of them are bench-pressing more than 300 pounds and four others are benching between 240 and 285 pounds.

There are no varsity returners for the Knights this year since they played just a junior varsity schedule in 2002, but Kellner greets 11 returning seniors who played for that JV, which posted a 7-3 record a year ago.

Quarterback Bryan Lind (5-foot-10, 155) will lead the offensive attack for the Knights, with running backs Matt Gustafson (5-foot-11, 150), James Johnson (5-foot-10, 175), Tyson Kornerly (5-foot-8, 153) and J.T. Martin (5-foot-10, 150) sharing the load carrying the football.

Gustafson, Kornerly and Martin will serve double duty in the defensive secondary for King's, and Johnson will also see time at linebacker.

Marvin Gleaton (6-foot-1, 200) and Taylor Hoyt (5-foot-10, 170) will share time at tight end for the Knights, and they will also double as defensive ends.

Leading the charge up front offensively will be center Marc Campisi (5-foot-10, 250) and guards Chris Czisch (6-foot, 230), Billy Thalin (5-foot-9, 165) and Larry Witkovski (6-foot, 200). Campisi and Czisch will also play in the defensive line for the Knights, and Thalin and Witkovski will be linebackers on the defensive side.

Newcomer Chris Disibio (5-foot-10, 160), also a senior, is a top prospect at running back and in the defensive secondary.

While Kellner believes his Knights "can play with anyone on our schedule," he admits that "the schedule itself is extremely ambitious."

"Prospect believes they will be a contender for the title in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League," said Kellner of his club's opening-day opponent. "Tomales was the Class B Northern California champion last year, and we play them twice. In addition to this, we will be playing a couple of other large public schools with established programs. We know we have our hands full, but we are looking forward to the challenge."

The King's head man begins his 15th season as a high school football coach. Kellner, who is assisted by Robin Lemo, Ed Lanning, Dan Paige and Mark Smith, spent two years as the Valley Christian head coach, two years as a varsity assistant and 10 years as a JV coach.

King's Academy Schedule

Sept. 6 Prospect 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 James Lick at PA 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 at Vacaville Christian 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 Sacred Heart Prep at PAL 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Scotts Valley 2 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Tomales 2 p.m.

Oct. 18 Greenfield 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 Harker at PAL 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 8 St. Lawrence 2 p.m.

Nov.15 Tomales 2 p.m.