Alex MacKenzie is new kid on the block at Kutztown University
Former Conrad Weiser star is one of six former Berks standouts playing key roles for the Golden Bears
Alex MacKenzie did it all for Conrad Weiser as a senior in 2018. He led the Scouts to the Berks Football League Section 1 championship, making big passes as a quarterback, game-changing runs out of the pocket and key plays on defense, where as a safety he set the program record for career interceptions and was named Berks Defensive Back of the Year.
OK, he didn’t quite do everything. He didn’t catch passes. And he didn’t throw a whole lot of blocks.
He is being counted on to do both this season after being converted to tight end at Kutztown University, which opens Saturday against Assumption at 12:05 at Andre Reed Stadium.
“This is an opportunity,” said MacKenzie, a redshirt sophomore, of the position switch. “It’s playing football. At the end of the day I’m trying to be a ballplayer.”
MacKenzie is in the mix at tight end and will play on special teams. He’s one of six Berks products on the roster.
Wilson’s Mason McElroy and Boyertown’s Jerry Kapp will be key targets in the passing game. Adam Kase of Conrad Weiser is in line to start at right tackle. Gov. Mifflin’s Kam Wolfe is expected to see time at rover. Brandon Strausser, a true freshman from Gov. Mifflin, has had a good camp and has gotten notice from his coaches.
They’re part of a team looking to continue the success they had in 2019, when they went 11-2 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Golden Bears didn’t have a 2020 season because of the coronavirus pandemic, and much has changed since then.
“Half our team wasn’t on the field in 2019,” said Kutztown coach Jim Clements, whose team has been picked to finish third in the PSAC East, behind Shepherd and West Chester. “We’re grateful for what the past was, enjoyed it, but really it doesn’t mean anything for us in 2021. New season, new players, a couple new coaches; it’s a new year.”
That’s precisely the case for McKenzie, who played safety as a freshman before switching to tight end.
“I was in a defensive meeting, Coach Clements pulled me out and said you’re playing tight end now,” MacKenzie said. “I came in as an athlete; I understood coming in (that I might be moved).”
The pass-catching and offensive side of the transition haven’t been difficult, MacKenzie said. He showed he could catch the ball at Weiser when he had seven interceptions as a senior. As a quarterback he had a grasp of passing game fundamentals.
The offensive line part of the job, that’s been a new experience.
“I had to learn how to block,” said ther 6-2 MacKenzie, who has added 15 pounds and is up to 215. “Coach (Marcel) Quarterman (the offensive coordinator) did a great job teaching me how to block, and (so did) our line coach, Coach (Pat) Taylor.”
Blocking, MacKenzie has learned, comes down to ” just wanting it more than the other person.”
Clements likes the progress he has seen.
“He’s really improved over the last two years,” Clements said. “We moved him to tight end and he didn’t miss a beat. He’s a former quarterback, so he has a sense of the schematics offensively. He’s gotten better at blocking, better at catching the football. He can help win some games this year.”
McElroy and Kapp return after big seasons in 2019, and each is expected to make a bigger impact.
McElroy, now a grad student, re-dedicated himself in the offseason and returns faster than he was in 2019, when he averaged 17.4 yards on his 29 receptions.
“He came in in the best shape he’s been in,” Clements said. “He’s worked real hard with (former Golden Bears running back) Craig Reynolds and seems more focused and excited to play this year. He’s thicker and stronger. I can see he’s worked hard in the weight room.”
The 6-foot, 195-pound McElroy will return punts and kickoffs and hold on placements.
Kapp, a 6-3, 200-pound redshirt sophomore, caught 32 passes in 2019, more than any returning receiver. He’s been selected as one of three captains and will also play a key role on special teams.
Kase, an All-State lineman at Weiser, is a 6-4, 305-pound sophomore and in the running to start at right tackle.
“Adam’s been awesome,” Clements said. “He works real hard, he’s strong, he’s taken well to coaching. He’s really working well with coach Taylor on the offensive line.
“Our right tackle from spring didn’t come back, we threw Adam in there, and he’s going to find his home there. We’re pretty excited about him.”
Wolfe was a quarterback and safety at Mifflin who has found a spot at rover/outside linebacker.
“He worked his tail off the last two years,” Clements said of the 5-11, 200-pound junior. “He’s really worked hard at getting better (at rover); he’s getting more comfortable in the scheme.”
Wolfe will also be heavily involved on special teams, covering kickoffs and punts and on punt return.
Strausser, an All-State pick last season at Mifflin, has impressed with his play at inside linebacker.
“He’s a good athlete and he’s got natural football sense to him,” Clements said of the 5-11, 200-pound true freshman. “He’s gonna end up being a pretty good ballplayer.”
