After posting a 3-5 record and a first-round postseason ousting last season, John F. Kennedy Campus High School (JFK/Bronx) is ready to turn things around in 2026, according to head coach Alex Vega.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Vega said the team has been working diligently on improving its defense, as the Knights’ offense played well most of the time, especially against one of the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) 4A Conference’s top programs: a 57-42 defeat to Eagle Academy for Young Men II.
Additionally, JFK’s overall team performance should improve, as the year of experience against the stiffest competition in the PSAL will most likely bode well for the determined squad, Vega noted.
“We had a tough schedule last year,” Vega said. “Now that we played last year’s schedule–this year is pretty much the same–we’ll be better prepared for it this year. We know everyone is good (in our conference), so we’re ready for it.”
Behind center is rising junior quarterback Jeremiah Senat, a three-year starter who Vega said is confidence that he is prepared to take his talents to the next level in 2026.
Senat passed for 670 yards and seven touchdowns, while tossing 138 yards in one playoff contest in 2025.
“He stepped in as a freshman, playing a tough schedule, and we had a very good season,” he said, “He is stronger, faster, knows the offense inside-out, like a coach, hard to bring down, and has a cannon for an arm.”
Next up is rising senior running back/outside linebacker Amadou Samake, who played well for the Knights last year. Plus, he owns nice speed and impressive weightroom strength. Samake rushed for 501 yards with six touchdowns and had six receptions and 234 yards with two TDs.
“Amadou was good for us, and he is a strong kid who had a 600-pound deadlift in the weightroom in the (offseason),” Vega said.
The other running back is rising junior Joseph Adjei-Afriyie, another speedster who provides the Knights with a potent 1-2 rushing attack.
“These guys can go,” Vega said of JFK’s offensive backfield tandem’s speed. “I’m happy with them.”
At the tigh tend position is 6-foot-3, 230-pound rising junior Arber Rexha, who also suits up at outside linebacker/defensive end, and is a player with several football skills, his coach noted.
“He’s tough, big, physical, very strong, and has some potential to play college football in the future,” Vega gushed.
Vega said most of the offensive line is returning, with rising junior left tackle Jeremy Concepcion showing great potential.
“He’s a big kid who can be a D1 player.” he said of Concepcion. “He gotten several invites to football camps,” he said.
Snapping the pigskin is newcomer Alie Sankareh, a senior with the dubious responsibly of getting the ball to Senat. But Vega said he is more than capable of continuously doing it well.
“He’s very good,” Vega said. “He’s smart, he’s moves well, strong, and has good technique.”
Defensively speaking, rising junior Avery Reed will man the outside linebacker slot, as Vega said he possesses a tool belt of strong gridiron abilities.
“He’s fast, intelligent, hard-nosed, and one of the leaders on defense,” he said of Reed.
Then, there is rising senior Jayvon Adams-Simmons, an outside linebacker/defensive end with a ton of power.
“He’s the strongest kid in the weightroom, and it shows up on the field,” Vega said of his player, with potential to play at the D2 or D3 college football level.
Another part of the linebacking crew is the rough-and-tumble Livon Correa, a 5-foot-8, 205-pound inside linebacker who transferred from Archbishop Stepinac in West Chester.
“He’s the hardest hitter on the team,” Vega said of Correa. “He’s smart, very physical, and a very nice kid. He moves well sideline to sideline,” he added.
Rounded out the linebacker corps is rising senior Thomas Ray, a returning player grom last year who performed well for JFK.
Manning one of the most demanding positions on defense is the 5-foot-10, 290-pound noseguard Calvin Stewart, whom Vega sang his praises.
“Calvin is great,” he said. “He moves well for a kid his size and is very strong.”
In the secondary is rising senior Seydo Ba, a 6-foot cornerback.
“He’s fast, physical, and can play the ball in the air,” the 25-year high school veteran coach said of Ba’s coverage and tackling skills.
As far as the Knights’ possibility for success this campaign’s, Vega remained optimistic.
“I like our chances of our team to have a winning record, and go to playoffs again,” Vega said.
JFK plays two non-league tilts: Monroe Woodbury Friday at 6:00 p.m. on the road, and Stuyvesant on Friday, September 11at 6:00 p.m. at home. Then, the Knights start league action against Erasmus Football on Friday, September 18th at 4:00 p.m.
https://amzn.to/3SApTuK — Team Retro Vintage Men’s T-Shirt for Football Fans — $22.95.
Note: If you click on the above Amazon.com hyperlink and purchase something, I may earn some revenue to help support my sports and health/entertainment blog.
Plus, https://tidd.ly/4poRiMb
Check out Plungechill, a leading brand in the cold plunge industry, at the above link. Plungechill makes cold therapy affordable at home by providing premium cold plunge tubs and chillers.
— Jerry Del Priore