BROOKVILLE - Reese Krone is a wide receiver’s dream for a quarterback.
“Reese is smart with his passes and rarely throws INTs,” Ell-Saline junior receiver Collin Dent said. “He’s also not the guy that leads you right into a defender to get laid out. I like his deep passes a lot; he puts on your hands so you don’t have to track it down.”
“Usually his passes are right at my chest every time with solid speed,” junior receiver Lucas Correa said. “When I have someone on me he does a good job of getting the ball on my back shoulder or leading it in front of me.”
The 6-4, 220-pound Krone describes himself as a strong-armed, aggressive QB.
“I can throw the ball deep, which is rare in 8-man football, and I have a very aggressive style of running,” Krone said.
Krone’s teammates can’t say enough about last year’s tight end, who hauled in 17 passes for 252 yards and five touchdowns.
“The time has come, and I believe Reese will be able to step up,” senior running back Melvin Lutes said. “I believe he has the necessary skills, and I know he has the capacity to be a good leader.”
“I don’t think anyone will be able to stop our passing game with his arm and our receivers,” junior wideout Kas Kramer said.
Krone’s potential at quarterback is unmatched according to sophomore LB/TE Branton Gosvener, who thinks his quarterback could be the piece that takes the Cardinals all the way to state.
Even standouts from opposing schools took notice of Krone.
“He moves well for a guy his size and has deceptive speed and bounce,” said Moundridge standout Kreighton Kanitz, now playing basketball at Barton CC.
“He was really good under pressure and was great at reading a defense; he tore us apart,” Lincoln star quarterback Logan Meier said.
Playing quarterback is nothing new to the Cardinal field general, who was under center throughout his time in middle school and on JV.
That comfort won’t come without high expectations however, after Ell-Saline made a run to the 8-Man Division-I semifinals in 2023.
“He has big shoes to fill, but I feel that he will be able to handle the pressure and step up for the team,” sophomore defensive back Sawyer Cook said. “He has improved in the weight room and taking on the role of leader.”
That sentiment of Krone’s improvement and the team’s high ceiling are echoed all throughout the Cardinal locker room.
“He has the potential to take us far this year,” sophomore running back Luke Walker said. “He has been working hard to improve his ability in the weight room and has been a good leader. I think he is a great teammate, and his height and overall size makes him both a great passer and lethal on the run.”
Krone’s best touchdown reception last year wasn’t one where his physicality was highlighted, but one where his football IQ was show.
In one of the team's final regular season games, Krone realized there was a specific formation and motion set that would allow him a free path downfield with minimal to no one-on-one coverage.
Krone relayed that information to head coach Joe Roche, who implemented the play and watched his tight end streak 50 yards downfield for a Cardinal touchdown.
Instant gratification for the red and white unit.
“It was a great feeling to be rewarded for my effort to pick apart the defense,” Krone noted. “I was really proud of my coaches for trusting me and proud of myself for seeing that play pan out in my head.”
Krone loves playing smash-mouth football, especially on fake handoffs to a running back.
“I’m just thinking about who I’m going to run over,” Krone said. “My first instinct as a runner is to go through the defenders. You won’t see me doing any juke moves. My state of mind while carrying the ball is strictly putting my head down and getting physical.”
Krone also registered 13.5 sacks on defense, along with five tackles for loss. He collected 64 tackles, including 40 solo, 14 QB hurries, 10 tipped passes and 2 forced fumbles.
The Cardinals, 10-2 a year ago, kick off their season on Sept. 6 against Hanover.