Kucic, Kiski Area football ready to prove doubters wrong

By: Michael Love
Friday, August 16, 2024 | 5:16 PM

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Landon Kucic acquired a unique nickname early in his tackle football career.

“I was playing on the (Kiski Valley Lancers) youth football (team), and my first year, I was on kickoff and I blew a kid up,” he said.

“Ever since then, the coaches that helped build me up from when I was young started calling me ‘Bang’ for the way I made that hit. Coach (Roger) Crider brought that name over, and it stuck since freshman year. Coach A (Kiski Area coach Sam Albert) still calls me that. It’s pretty cool.”

Kucic’s nickname fits his physical nature as a running back and outside linebacker for the Cavaliers football team, which hopes to make an impact as it moves up to a new-look Class 5A.

Last year’s leading rusher and one of the top run-stoppers, Kucic has goals and expectations to help Kiski Area maintain its status as a WPIAL playoff qualifier.

“We have a chip on our shoulder,” Kucic said. “We go onto Twitter and all these social media sites, and they have us rated last in our conference. That has given us an edge right now. We know we’re far better than that. We’re ready to bring it and ready to bring all the attention to us. We expect big things.”

Kucic rushed for 867 yards and 11 touchdowns on 197 carries last year to help the Cavaliers punch their ticket to the postseason. Kiski Area won three of its final four conference games to finish 3-3 in the conference and close the regular season 5-5.

The Cavaliers fell to Class 4A power Thomas Jefferson in the WPIAL first round.

Kucic, along with seniors Carson Heinle, Ryder Ekas and Cam Murphy and junior Braden Anderson, recently were voted captains.

“It’s a special thing,” Kucic said. “I’m with these guys every day of the week doing my part to help teach and learn. We’re all in it together. Winning starts in practice. It’s an honor to be voted captain, especially by my peers. There’s no better feeling than that.”

Albert said Kucic leads by example on and off the field and also can get a little vocal when needed.

“Landon had a great junior year and really built off that in the offseason,” Albert said.

“He’s a very versatile player on defense, and he is such a hard runner with the football. We’re super excited to get him out on the field and see what he can do.”

Kucic said a strong offseason of work has the team in great position to contend.

“We all got stronger. We all got bigger. We all grew as a team,” he said. “It was really productive. We got a new weight room, so that helped a lot.

“Putting a lot of muscle on was huge for me coming back this season. Going into last year, I was 185 (pounds). This year, I am around 200 or a little more. I am ready to use that power.”

Kucic trained with Woodland Hills graduate and former Cincinnati Bengals running back Chris Edmonds at FORZA Sports & Performance Training in Plum.

“Chris really helped me develop the muscle and the speed,” he said. “I feel 100 percent better than I did last year, so I am ready to go.”

Kucic said he’s ready to run behind a big and experienced offensive line.

“I am really looking forward to that,” Kucic said. “Whoever is in there, I feel confident. We have H-back Connor Jordan blocking. I couldn’t do anything without them moving people in front of me.”

Kucic said he doesn’t mind being that mix of a straight-ahead, smash-mouth runner and an elusive ball carrier who can find a seam and use his speed to get in the open field.

“It depends on the scenario,” Kucic said. “My first instinct is to lower my shoulder and run someone over. That is a good feeling. But if I can make a move on someone and get more yardage than I am supposed to, I will take it.”

Kucic also finds himself again a key cog of the Cavaliers defense at outside linebacker. Last year, he posted a team-best eight sacks.

“Last year, I played a lot of inside linebacker and bounced outside a little bit. This year, I am playing primarily outside. I learned a lot more coverages and a lot more of stepping up and defending blocks. I couldn’t do what I am doing without two great young coaches in Braden Thimons, who was an All-American at Westminster, and coach (Jared) Curcio, who played at Thiel. They are two great young guys fresh out of college teaching me how to play the position. I’ve learned so much. I am grateful for that.”

Kucic said he and his teammates are ready for Saturday morning’s scrimmage at Connellsville.

“We have been itching to go out there and hit someone else other than our teammates,” he said.

Kucic owns college offers from Waynesburg and Mt. Union.

“Things started picking up once I got to more camps, and coaches started reaching out,” Kucic said.

“It’s been good. Mt. Union was an offer I was excited to get with their reputation and their tradition. My options are still open. Hopefully, I will have more offers. That will come with a good season on the field. I am excited for what’s to come.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Kiski Area