Lions ask Kautsky to set the tone

The name Kautsky has resonated within Hernando Christian Academy athletics for the past few years thanks to brothers Sam and Nate Kautsky.

Those two established themselves as two of the better competitors the Lions had to offer, and it is that legacy which Josh Kautsky must follow.

Yes, there is another brother. In fact, Josh in the middle child among five boys. Sam has graduated, but Josh will get to team with Nate this season.

"Those are big shoes to fill and it kind of helps with Nate on the field," Kautsky said. "That's someone who knows me, someone who supports me. That will make it easy when the games are rough.

"... I've got to give all I have. Leave nothing off the field. Leave it on the field. I need to play my heart out. That's what they've done, that's what I need to do."

Kautsky, a 16-year-old living in Brooksville, is starting his ninth year of attending HCA. Like every player on the severely undermanned Lions, he'll have to play both ways.

The 6-foot, 150-pound senior is one of two HCA players who will see significant action at tight end, along with George Gari.

But his biggest impact will likely come on the defensive side, where he'll man the strongside linebacker spot. Though he was on the team last year, he did not record any stats.

"He had a great spring game. He was very aggressive. He broke his arm, though," HCA Head Coach Mike D'Ambrosio said. "He's an emotional player. He can set the tone for our defense. I've always said you've got to have a little more attitude to play defense and I think that sets the tone for it.

"... I can see Josh on defense being one of our top three tacklers. He's got speed for a linebacker, too. He's got to be able to contain the edge for us, which was hard for us last year. We couldn't contain the edge."

Kautsky follows along with his coach's evaluation of his role as a leader for his mostly inexperienced teammates.

"My role is to encourage the younger kids coming up and keep everyone focused on what we need to do," Kautsky said. "I've got to make sure that no one gets down and pick up the slack when things get hard."

That he accepts such responsibilities is good news for the Lions. Coming off a 1-9 season, low numbers will make it an uphill battle to rebuild the program.

"The team is really focused on improving and coming together and working hard and fixing what we messed up last year," Kautsky said.

"... It's a whole new program. We've got a new coach. Nothing in the past is weighing on us. The team is all new. It has nothing to do with the hard times. Nothing from the past is holding us back."