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BROOKFIELD ACADEMY The FREEMAN & ENTERPRISE 14 • PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND SAVE UP TO 20%! 262-781-9520 or wilson-center.com • Tickets on sale now! 251488004 By John Gittings Freeman Correspondent BROOKFIELD — Brook- field Academy coach Jon Kahle has plenty back from his pass-happy team of last year. The return of first team all- conference performers Ian Francis (quarterback) and Ryan Kolasinski (wide receiver) will give the Blue Knights a tandem that fig- ures to frustrate opposing secondaries all season. Fran- cis (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) and Kolasinski (5-11, 170), both seniors, have carried on fam- ily traditions in the program, as they are the third and final brother from each family to suit up for Brookfield Acade- my. "They have been instru- mental in the growth of the program," Kahle said of the duo and their brothers. Francis passed for 1,892 yards and 27 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. Kolasinski finished with a conference-leading 638 receiving yards and seven scoring catches. The duo, along with fellow first team all-conference two-way star Maurice Woods (5-9, 165) and senior running back Willie Tyson (5-7, 180), last season's leading rusher. "The skill positions, both offensively and defensively, have really good talent and hardworking kids returning, which gives us a chance," Kahle said. "We just have to get more physical up front. That's going to be our chal- lenge." Woods is only a sophomore and a player for whom Kahle had high praise. Woods picked off five passes and emerged as the Blue Knights' return specialist. He returned three kickoffs for TDs and three of his picks for scores. He will combine with Francis and Tyson to create an improved running attack that should take excess pres- sure off the potent passing game, though Kahle would like to see more physicality in the ground game. "He's a really special tal- ent," Kahle said of Woods. "He ran a 4.5 at the (Wiscon- sin Football Coaches Associa- tion) combine and can really fly around." The back seven appears to be the strength of the Brook- field Academy defense. Junior linebacker Connor Guest (5-11, 185), another returning first team all-con- ference performer, will anchor the undersized, speedy unit. Kolasinski was also a dual- threat player, finishing sec- ond to Woods on the team in interceptions with four. The team will have to account for the losses of Guest's brother Colin, an all-conference line- backer who led the team in tackles in 2015, and three starters on the defensive line. In order to compete at the level Kahle would like, the Blue Knights will have to improve up front. Three key interior linemen graduated, and a committee replace them. Two linemen who will like- ly have to grow up fast in their junior seasons are Cole Budney (6-1, 255) and Wesley Jurva (6-2, 235), along with J.P. Elfelt (6-3, 190), a senior who was third on the team in tackles in 2015 and should become a force up front. Those players will have to step up, as Kahle cites his team's need to be more physi- cal in defending the run. "It's a size, experience, tal- ent and skill thing," Kahle said. "I don't have a lot of big guys. We're going to improve by having a really good first couple of weeks (of practice) here." The Blue Knights should be an exciting team to watch with all of their weaponry. "Every year, our goal is to try and compete for a confer- ence title," Kahle said. "Lake Country has done it year after year. We've split with Saint Francis the last couple years. We have a lot of respect for both programs. We don't have quite as many numbers or size. At the end of the day, we hope to be in the conversation." Francis, Kolasinski are back Blue Knights look to the air again Brookfield Academy Coach: Jon Kahle, fifth season 2015: 7-3 overall, 5-2 Midwest Classic (third place) Key returning players: senior QB Ian Francis, senior WR Ryan Kolasinski, senior RB Willie Tyson, sophomore RB/DB Maurice Woods, junior LB Connor Guest Promising newcomers: junior OL Cole Budney, junior OL Wesley Jurva Key loss to graduation: Colin Guest, Jack Halquist Charles Auer/Freeman Staff Brookfield Academy senior Ian Francis looks for a receiver dur- ing practice. 2016 Schedule (all games 7 p.m. unless noted) Aug. 19: Cambridge Aug. 26: Shoreland Lutheran Sept. 2: vs. HOPE Christian at Wisconsin Lutheran College Sept. 10: St. Francis Sept. 17: at Living Word Lutheran, 1 p.m. Sept. 23: St. John's North- western Sept. 30: at University School of Milwaukee Oct. 7: Kenosha Christian Life Oct. 14: at Lake Country Lutheran