Josh Cayson is Kennedy's impact player

The senior has rushed for 1,100 yards in leading the Eagles to a 7-0 record.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
WARREN -- Two years ago, Warren Kennedy football coach Tony Napolet was watching Canton McKinley play Warren Harding at Mollenkopf Stadium when a sophomore running back caught his eye.
And it wasn't Maurice Clarett.
An undersized tailback named Josh Cayson couldn't lead Warren Harding to a victory over the then-defending state champs -- they lost 10-7 -- but he won over Napolet.
"I thought he was the best back on the field that night," Napolet said, "never thinking he might come here."
Two years later, Cayson is an Eagle and Napolet is a happy man. Cayson transferred from Warren Harding after last season and has rushed for 1,100 yards through seven games to help JFK to a 7-0 record.
"It's been fun," said Cayson. "I'm getting a chance to show what I can do and getting playing time. I'm happy I'm here."
Turnaround: JFK finished 3-7 in 2000 and Cayson is just one reason for the Eagles' success this year.
Still, he's a big reason.
The 5-foot-11, 165-pound senior has twice topped 200 yards, including a 258-yard, four-touchdown effort in a 42-28 win over Girard in week three. He's averaging 157 yards per game and has been outstanding at cornerback, Napolet said. Cayson also returns kicks and punts and rarely comes off the field.
"If we could find a way to play him more, we would," Napolet said. "He knows how to play this game."
Cayson has been playing football since he was 5-years old. His father, Robert, was a standout running back for Warren Western Reserve and "knows everything about football," Cayson said.
"He's taught me so much about the game," he said.
Family decision: Cayson split time with Clarett at Warren Harding the last two years but saw his playing time decrease as Clarett became the Raiders' featured back. After the season, Cayson talked with his mother, Karen, and decided to transfer.
Karen thought Kennedy would give Cayson a better education, smaller classes and more playing time. It was an easy choice.
"My mom really helped me make that decision," Cayson said. "I heard that something like 98 percent of JFK students graduate and go on to college. The classwork is a lot harder than Warren Harding, but I wanted a better education."
Cayson's grade point is around a B-minus. Division I schools like Ohio State, Syracuse and Virginia Tech are recruiting him. YSU has already offered him a scholarship.
Cayson would prefer to play tailback, but has yet to make a college visit. He said he'll make up his mind after the season.
"Right now, we're trying to win state," he said.
Ranked among the best: Cayson, who has put on 15 pounds since last spring, bench presses 265 -- his goal is 300 -- squats 440 and runs a 4.4. Napolet ranks him among the best backs he's had at JFK, alongside Tom Paolucci, Mike Stock and Frank Bonder, who played at Notre Dame in the early 70's.
Napolet raves about Cayson's work ethic, attitude, durability -- and especially his talent.
"He's got great feet," Napolet said. "Probably the best feet of any player I've ever had. He can stop and start on a dime. He's a team player and a great practice player. I was certainly more than elated when he said he was coming here."
The transfer didn't cause any problems with the team either, Napolet said.
"You know why? He's simply that much better," Napolet said. "There were no question marks about who was better than who. He was the best."
This year, Cayson runs behind a solid offensive line of seniors Jason Davis, Kenny Gilbert, Paul Lepro, Chris Canaan and Harry Nidel and juniors Sam Pachell and Bob Poweski, who rotate playing time. Junior quarterback Alex Senk, also a transfer from Warren Harding transfer, has played well.
JFK is ranked fourth in the state in Division V and is second in computer points in region 7.
The Eagles want to make a run at the state championship. If they do, Cayson will be a big reason.
"He's been an impact player, big time," Napolet said. "You don't go 7-0 because of one player. We're looking for balance and we need to improve. But he's helped us.
"He's a coach's dream."
scalzo@vindy.com