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NILES CHARTER TOWNSHIP –— When Brandywine football opens its season against Hartford on Thursday, there will be a new quarterback under center in junior Kaeden Warfield. 

In his first season as the starting quarterback, Warfield will be looking to help the Bobcats rebound from a 3-6 campaign last year. 

“It feels really good being out here,” Warfield said. “I’m glad that we can take the field again, especially since I didn’t get to play my full potential last year with a broken hand.”

While quarterback is a new position for him, Warfield is eager to show he has what it takes to become a leader for the team.

“I’m looking forward to showing coach Kinzie what we can do,” he said. “I’m trying to be a leader where I lift everybody up instead of tearing them down and push them to be their best.”

“He has stepped up as a leader, which has been awesome to see,” said head coach Justin Kinzie.

Warfield was a playmaker at both running back and defensive back his first two years in a Bobcats uniform. Last year, he tallied 337 rushing yards and two touchdowns on offense and 32 tackles and one sack on defense – while playing with a broken hand for half of the season. Warfield believes the time he spent in the backfield will help him as a quarterback.

“I think that’s helped a lot with being able to understand what I can do to help the A-backs get the ball when they need it,” he said. 

The Bobcats return four starters on offense and defense this year. Carter Sobecki returns as one of the area’s top running backs and Tommy Killelea will help anchor the offensive line. Kinzie said the team’s emphasis on speed training and strength and conditioning is paying off.

“I know people say speed kills but the truth is ‘speed catches, strength kills.’ You gotta do both,” he said. “If you look at our offensive line, we’ve got 270 pounds, 280 pounds, 260 pounds, we’ve big boys and every single one of them has a max speed of 16-17 miles an hour. They’re not just big, they’re fast, which is nice. We’re really excited about it.”

Warfield has his eyes set on leading the Bobcats back to the playoffs and being the best version of himself as a player.

“I want to make the playoffs but personally I want to do the best I can and try to be a perfectionist.”

The Bobcats face Hartford at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29 before hosting Watervliet for their home opener at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5.

“I’m really excited,” he said. “I think we have a good team and I think we’re all ready to go play and hit somebody in a different color jersey.”