AIR FORCE ACADEMY — There’s good news for the Air Force football team.
Middle linebacker Ken Lamendola again has that look about him that says he’s ready to resume his role as the heart of the Falcons’ defense. He showed plenty of heart last season, compiling a team-leading 118 tackles.
Lamendola chalked up the big numbers in his sophomore season while playing with a damaged shoulder and a hernia, both requiring surgery after Air Force completed an 8-5 season by playing in the Armed Forces Bowl.
The recovery kept Lamendola from participating in spring drills this year. But it still was surprising to see Lamendola second on the depth chart coming out of spring practice.
“It was tough because I had to rehab both of the surgeries at the same time,” Lamendola said Saturday after practice at Falcon Stadium. “Those were nagging injuries and they weren’t going away.”
Now healthy, he quickly regained his place with the Falcons’ first-team defense.
“I wasn’t able to go all spring, and Coach (Troy) Calhoun looks at the players who are available at the time,” he said. “It is what it is, but I’m healthy now and ready to go.”
Lamendola, 6-feet-2 and 230 pounds, has an edge to his personality that makes a good linebacker. He believes Air Force’s linebackers — including seniors Justin Moore and John Falgout and juniors Andre Morris and Patrick Hennessey — are capable of providing a strong heart for the defense.
“We have enough players here to win a lot of games and to prove to people around the country that we can play football here at the Air Force Academy,” Lamendola said. “It doesn’t matter where we’re ranked. We believe from within.”
Footnotes.
Calhoun is looking to have a more precise depth chart by the middle of the week. . . . Sophomore place-kicker Garrett Jack decided to leave the team but will remain a cadet. Junior kicker Zack Bell is expected to rejoin the competition this week after missing time because of an injured hamstring. . . . Tim Jefferson, a starter at quarterback last season as a freshman, said after Saturday’s practice that he and Asher Clark divided most of the snaps. Calhoun said last week that for the Falcons to have their best chance to win, a healthy Clark has to be on the field most of the time. Clark, a sophomore from Lawrence-ville, Ga., played tailback last season and was the second-leading rusher with 588 yards.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
