Morris_Prep Football_082118

MORRIS HERALD NEWS

SPECIAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW SECTION

TOUCHDOWN 2018 TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018 | MORRISHERALD-NEWS.COM

NEW BEGINNINGS

Something different for all local football teams this season / 8-9 I

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MORRIS REDSKINS

COAL CITY COALERS

MINOOKA INDIANS

SENECA IRISH

More success sought after ’17 playoff run / PAGES 2-4

Experience a positive for coach, QB / PAGES 5-7

Roster has ‘talented group of juniors’ / PAGES 10-12

New conference provides ‘fresh start’ / PAGES 13-15

Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Tuesday, August 21, 2018

TOUCHDOWN 2018

2 MORRIS

Redskins hope to continue success

Morris geared up for final season in NIB 12 East

By ROB OESTERLE

roesterle@shawmedia.com MORRIS – After finishing second in the state, what do you do for an encore?

That is the question for the Morris football team, as the Redskins try to duplicate their success of last season, which saw them finish second in Class 4A to Rochester – which has won seven titles in the past eight years – after a last-second field goal.

Morris lost a lot from that team, including starting offensive linemen Nolan Feeney, Brennan Goff, Nathan Korte and Noah McCorkhill, as well as running back/linebacker Kam Dransfeldt, receiver/defensive end Tyler Spiezio, receiver/defensive back Payton Voitik, linebacker Kaden Laurie – the defensive MVP of the Northern Illinois Big 12 East – defensive linemen Cody Baldridge, Alonzo Enriques and Avery Hofmann, and defensive backs Blake Breyman and Trevor Tanke.

While that is a lot of talent to lose off one team, Morris coach Alan Thorson believes he has a solid core of returning players who can help fill the gaps.

One main returnee is quarterback Mitchell Mayberry, who threw for 1,130 yards and 12 touchdowns despite missing the better part of three games with a collarbone injury.

“I thought Mitch had a great year last year,” Thorson said. “Now he has that year under his belt. I feel like we got a glimpse of the real Mitch in the playoffs last year. He threw for both of our touchdowns in the Rochelle game and played real well in the title game. That experience will be huge for us.

“He is going to have a lot of freedom this year to make some calls on the field.

He sees things so much better this year.

He has also put on some muscle in the offseason, and you can really tell that his ball has more zip on it. I am looking for him to be a big-time player for us.”

While Dransfeldt ran for more than 1,800 yards last year, returning running backs Austin Hatcher and Chatten Dryfhout combined for nearly 1,000 yards.

They will share a bulk of the carries, along with returning 280-pound fullback Tyler Petty and junior Brandon Phelps.

See MORRIS, page 3

Dan Voitik for Shaw Media

Morris quarterback Mitchell Mayberry drops back to pass at a recent practice. Mayberry returns after throwing for 1,130 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

• MORRIS

MORRIS REDSKINS

Continued from page 2

COACH Alan Thorson (62-30, 9th season) 2017 RECORD 11-3, 3-1 in Northern Illinois Big 12 East CLASSIFICATION ENROLLMENT 851 (Class 4A) OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR Greg Larsen

RETURNING OFFENSIVE STARTERS G Dylan Swartz (Sr.) QB Mitchell Mayberry (Sr.) T Kyle Little (Sr.) FB Tyler Petty (Sr.) RB Chatten Dryfhout (Sr.) RB Austin Hatcher (Sr.).

SCHEDULE

RETURNING DEFENSIVE STARTERS DE Kyle Little (Sr.) CB Alex Cameron (Sr.).

SEPT. 28: at DeKalb, 7:15 p.m.

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR John Courter will start at tight end, with other receivers being seniors Jacob Overbeck and Alex Cameron. Logan Edwards, Nolan Swartz and Ryan Lain also will see time at receiver.

“Overbeck saw a lot of time last year when Payton Voitik was hurt,” Thorson said. “Alex Cameron is one of our fastest guys, and Reddinger will be a big target who can go up and get the ball. All of our receivers have had real good summers and run good routes.

We feel good about them.”

On defense, the key will be replacing Laurie and Dransfeldt at linebacker, as well as most of the defensive line. Little will return to one end

AUG. 24: at Coal City, 7 p.m.

AUG. 31: vs. Washington, 7 p.m.

SEPT. 7: vs. Crete-Monee, 7 p.m.

SEPT. 14: vs. Yorkville 7:15 p.m.

SEPT. 21: at Ottawa, 7:15 p.m.

OCT. 5: vs. Sycamore, 7:15 p.m.

OCT. 12: at Kaneland, 7:15 p.m.

OCT. 19: vs. LaSalle-Peru, 7:15 p.m.

position, where he led the team in sacks last season. Meanwhile, the defensive backfield sees Cameron return as a starter, as well as Overbeck, who saw a lot of time as well.

“We will see the most new faces on the defense, that’s for sure,” Thorson said. “We lost four of our top five linemen, and all three starting linebackers, including one that was the defensive MVP of the conference.

“But, having Kyle Little returning is a great place to start. He’s a big kid, and the biggest compliment I can give him is that his motor never stops running. He can disrupt another team’s offense by getting in the backfield, and

he makes it tough to run to his side.

And he never takes a play off. He plays hard all the time.”

Other defensive line prospects are Roderick, Petty, Reddinger, Garcia, Engleman and Nathan Lobb.

The linebacker position most likely will see a five-man rotation in the three spots, with Dryfhout, Edwards, Devin Narwick, Phelps and Kade Kjellesvik all expected to contribute.

Cameron and Dakota Revels look to be the starting cornerbacks, with Overbeck and Cole Laurie manning the safety spots.

See MORRIS, page 4

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TOUCHDOWN 2018 Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Tuesday, August 21, 2018

“Chatten reminds me a lot of Kam,” Thorson said. “He has great vision and is a very hard runner. He is tough to bring down. Austin Hatcher is one of the fastest guys on our team and is a threat to score any time he touches the ball. With Tyler, we probably have the biggest fullback in the state. He’s a great blocker, and he is very good running the ball. Brandon Phelps can switch between halfback and fullback and will be able to give those guys a rest if they need it.”

Replacing the departed linemen will not be easy, but there is a solid starting point. Dylan Swartz (5-11, 290) returns for his third year on the varsity at one guard position, while Kyle Little (6-4, 242) will move from tight end to tackle. Robbie Bates (5-10, 220) will be the center, with R.J. Roderick (6-4, 236) at the other guard and Danny Garcia (6-1, 222) at the other tackle.

Also rotating into the offensive line will be Braden Engleman (5-8, 205) and Juan Gutierrez (5-10, 226).

“We won’t be as big as last year up front, but we are still pretty big,” Thorson said. “I think the guys this year move a little better, so we may be able to do things we couldn’t do last year.”

Junior Zach Reddinger (6-2, 200)

3

“We are hoping that we can get through the schedule and get to the playoffs. Once the playoffs start, our schedule should have us well-prepared.”

Alan Thorson, Morris coach

MORRIS ROSTER

Morris running back Brandon Phelps runs through the line at a recent practice.

Dan Voitik for Shaw Media

• MORRIS

Continued from page 3 “We want to keep a limit on our guys going both ways,” Thorson said. “A lot of guys will play on both sides, but we have backups on both offense and defense that will be able to give them rest when they need it.”

On special teams, the punter will be Hatcher, and he also will handle kickoff duties. The placekicker will be Austin Hastings, while the return men for both punts and kickoffs will be Cameron and Dryfhout.

The Redskins will face a tougher nonconference schedule than in previous seasons, with a road game at Coal

City to start the season, followed by home games with highly regarded Washington and Crete-Monee to follow.

“It’s the toughest nonconference schedule we’ve had in quite a while,” Thorson said. “Coal City is going to be a tough game, Washington will be ranked high in 5A, and Crete-Monee will probably be ranked high in 6A. Then, our conference is always tough.

Yorkville always plays us tough, and so does Sycamore, and DeKalb and Kaneland always have good programs.

“We are hoping that we can get through the schedule and get to the playoffs. Once the playoffs start, our schedule should have us well-prepared.”

2018

Name Austin Hatcher Zach Reddinger Mitchell Mayberry Nolan Swartz Austin Hastings Evan Briones Ryan Lain Alex Cameron Jacob Overbeck Barry Amiano Devin Narwick Scott Dale Nathan Sendra Aidan Connor Chatten Dryfhout Dakota Revels Andrew Barlow Tyler Petty Logan Edwards

Ht. Wt. Yr. 6-1 208 Sr. 6-2 200 Jr. 6-1 175 Sr. 5-10 152 Jr. 6-0 160 Sr. 5-6 134 Jr. 6-1 165 Sr. 6-2 170 Sr. 6-1 176 Sr. 5-11 146 Jr. 5-11 181 Sr. 5-11 162 Jr. 5-11 191 Sr. 5-11 167 Sr. 5-10 185 Sr. 5-9 161 Sr. 5-11 158 Sr. 5-8 287 Sr. 6-1 206 Sr.

Name Brandon Phelps Tony Whitmarsh Kade Kjellesvik Cole Laurie R.J. Roderick Dany Garcia Braden Engelman Matt Claypool Kyle Little Andrew Meloun Dylan Swartz Robby Bates Aiden Lawyer Nathan Lobb Juan Solano Rocco Iasillo Juan Gutierrez Tristan Clower Brandon Evenson

Ht. Wt. Yr. 5-10 170 Jr. 5-6 136 Sr. 5-9 180 Sr. 5-10 160 Jr. 6-4 236 Sr. 6-1 222 Sr. 5-8 205 Jr. 5-11 282 Sr. 6-4 242 Sr. 5-7 150 Jr. 5-11 290 Sr. 5-10 220 Jr. 6-3 217 Sr. 6-2 230 Jr. 6-1 242 Sr. 5-8 308 Sr. 5-10 226 Jr. 5-10 195 Jr. 6-3 181 Sr.

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TOUCHDOWN 2018

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COAL CITY

Coach, QB more experienced in second season

By ROB OESTERLE

roesterle@shawmedia.com COAL CITY – In coach Dan Hutchings’ first season at the helm, the Coal City football team went 6-3 in the regular season and made the Class 4A playoffs. The Coalers lost to Taylorville in the first round, a result they hope to improve upon this season.

It should help that both Hutchings and his son, Payton, the Coalers’ quarterback, will have a year of experience to learn from.

“Payton having a year of experience will definitely be a plus,” Dan Hutchings said. “He is still learning, but it’s more like tweaking the offense with him now. We can give him a few more things to do this year, since he is much more comfortable with the basics.”

After spending a summer splitting his time between baseball, basketball and football, it will be a welcome change for Payton Hutchings, a junior, to be focused on only one sport.

“He definitely had a busy summer,” Dan Hutchings said. “Now we can put all those other things away and just concentrate on football.”

Payton Hutchings, a 6-foot, 175pound junior whose strong left arm already has gotten him to commit to University of Illinois for baseball, will have plenty of help on the offensive side.

Dan Voitik for Shaw Media

See COAL CITY, page 6

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TOUCHDOWN 2018 Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Coalers aim for return to playoffs

5

COAL CITY COALERS

TOUCHDOWN 2018

COACH Dan Hutchings (6-4 , 2nd season)

Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Tuesday, August 21, 2018

6

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR Dan Hutchings

2017 RECORD 6-4, 4-1 in Interstate Eight Large CLASSIFICATION ENROLLMENT 662 (Class 4A)

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR Francis Loughran

RETURNING OFFENSIVE STARTERS QB Payton Hutchings (Jr.), RB Connor Skubic (Sr.), WR Gio Ferrara (Sr.), TE Austin Pullara (Jr.), OL Aaron McMurtrey (Sr.), OL Michael Leasure (Sr.), OL Wills Payton (Sr.).

SCHEDULE

RETURNING DEFENSIVE STARTERS

SEPT. 28: at Sandwich, 7 p.m.

LB Austin Pullara (Jr.), CB Max Arias (Sr.), S Ryan Wasielewski (Sr.), DL Michael Leasure (Sr.).

OCT. 5: vs. Manteno, 7 p.m.

Photos by Dan Voitik for Shaw Media

Michael Leasure will be a fixture on the offensive and defensive lines for Coal City this season.

• COAL CITY

Continued from page 5 Connor Skubic (6-0, 195), the Coalers’ leading rusher from a year ago, returns, as does fellow running back Max Arias (5-10, 175). Also returning on offense are tight end Austin Pullara (6-2, 185), split end Gio Ferrara (6-1, 180) and linemen Wills Payton (6-0, 225), Aaron McMurtrey (6-0, 250) and Michael Leasure (6-2, 260).

“We think our offensive line will be pretty good,” Dan Hutchings said. “We have pretty decent size. We aren’t Morris big, but we will stack up pretty well against most teams we play.”

Other wide receiver prospects for the Coalers will include 5-10, 180-pound sophomore Asa Cooper and junior Daniel Jezik (5-11, 160).

On defense, the coach said that linebackers Pullara, Skubic and Jack Bunton (6-2, 190) will be a strength for the team.

“Pullara was a defensive end for us last year, but we will move him to middle linebacker this year,” Dan Hutchings said. “With him, Skubic and Bunton, we feel like we have a nice trio there.”

The defensive ends look to be Brady Crawford (6-3, 200) and Jacob Jasnosz (6-3, 215), with Leasure and Connor Knutson (6-0, 225) taking the defensive tackle slots.

In the defensive backfield, Arias

See COAL CITY, page 7

Coal City quarterback Payton Hutchings returns as the starter for the Coalers this season.

AUG. 24: vs. Morris, 7 p.m.

AUG. 31: at Wilmington, 7 p.m.

SEPT. 7: vs. Herscher, 7 p.m.

SEPT. 14: at Streator, 7 p.m.

SEPT. 21: vs. Plano, 7 p.m.

OCT. 12: at Reed-Custer, 7 p.m.

OCT. 19: vs. Lisle, 7 p.m.

Dan Hutchings, Coal City coach

• COAL CITY

Continued from page 6 returns as a cornerback, as does Zack Sandeno (6-0, 165). Ryan Wasielewski (6-2, 155) returns as the team’s strong safety, with the free safety spot a battle between Cooper and Jezik.

“We are going to be a faster team than last year,” Dan Hutchings said. “I would say our speed and athleticism is our strength right now. That’s good, because you can’t teach that. Speed can make up for some mistakes, so it’s nice to have team speed.

“All of our kids are good athletes, and a lot of them have had a lot of success in other sports. They are competitors, and they know how to handle adversity and overcome it. Hopefully, that will get us through some close games.”

On special teams, Dan Hutchings said that Knutson will be the punter and that either Knutson or Jezik will handle placekicking duties. Return men will be Cooper and Arias.

“We have always tried to have good special teams,” he said. “It’s a third of the game, and if you have good special teams, you can pin teams deep and you can get yourself better field position.

That’s something that gets overlooked sometimes, but we always want to win the field-position battle.”

The Coalers were done no favors with their schedule, as the first five teams they play were playoff teams last year. After opening the season at home against Morris, Coal City will travel to rival Wilmington. Next is a home game with Herscher before games against Streator and Manteno.

“We will definitely know what kind of team we have after that opening stretch,” Dan Hutchings said. “We hope we can get through it OK and that it will prepare us for the home stretch and hopefully the playoffs.

“Overall, I think we have a solid group of seniors to start with, and there are a lot of juniors vying for time that will only get better as the year goes on.

We have a good mix and these kids are working well together.”

COAL CITY ROSTER Name Brady Crawford Asa Cooper Connor Skubic Ryan Wasielewski Max Arias Daniel Jezik Kade McKinney Cole Garcia Jack Bunton Payton Hutchings Joey Youskevtch Gio Ferrara Zack Sandeno Connor Best Jake Hutchings Dane Dearth

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7 TOUCHDOWN 2018 Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Tuesday, August 21, 2018

We are going to be a faster team than last year. I would say our speed and athleticism is our strength right now. That’s good, because you can’t teach that. Speed can make up for some mistakes, so it’s nice to have team speed. All of our kids are good athletes, and a lot of them have had a lot of success in other sports.”

Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Tuesday, August 21, 2018

TOUCHDOWN 2018

8

Season of new beginnings for area teams New opponents, coaches will be on display this fall

By ROB OESTERLE roesterle@shawmedia.com When the end of summer rolls around and students start school, the talk always seems to make its way toward football.

What’s the team going to be like this year? Are they going to make the playoffs? If they do, how far will they go?

The same questions, often with very similar answers, are asked every year. There are schools that are going to make the playoffs; there are schools that aren’t going to make the playoffs. It seems like it’s the same conversation every year.

This season, however, there are new things for every team in the Morris Herald-News coverage area.

For starters, Morris and Coal City are going to play each other for the first time in a varsity football game.

While it seems surprising that this would be the first varsity meeting between the neighboring towns, there were plenty of factors that prevented it in the past. First off, Coal City has only had a football program since 1978. For a long while after that, it made very little sense for Morris and Coal City to meet since Coal City’s enrollment was about half that of Morris.

Little by little, however, Coal City’s enrollment grew while Morris’ stayed the same. Recently, Morris and Coal City have met in sports such as boys and girls basketball, volleyball, softball and baseball in regional play, both being in the same class. Last year, both the Redskins and Coalers were in Class 4A for football.

So, with each team having an open slot in the opening week, the decision was made to sign a two-year contract to play each other in Week 1. This year will be at Coal City, next season at Morris.

“We play Morris in pretty much every other sport,” Coal City football coach and athletic director Dan Hutchings said. “They have a great program and tradition, and we embrace the challenge of playing them in football.

“It makes sense. We know we are going to play a game at all three levels (varsity, sophomore and freshman). It’s only a 20-minute bus ride

Dan Voitik for Shaw Media

Quarterback Payton Hutchings and Coal City will play Morris in a varsity football game for the first time this season. The Coalers host the Redskins in Friday’s season opener.

“There’s a lot of excitement in the town about the game [against Coal City], and the kids are excited, too. They are looking forward to that opening game.”

Alan Thorson, Morris coach for either team. The fans and kids know each other. It’s going to be one of those games where you better get there early if you want to get a parking spot. Both towns always travel well to road games. I have been asked what it will be like, and I say, ‘It will be Coal City-Wilmington times at least two.’

“I know our kids are excited about it. They have grown up playing against and with some of the Morris kids in different sports, so now to play them in football is going to

be fun. I am sure it will be a friendly rivalry. We have a two-year contract now, but I would hope we would be able to do it longer than that.”

The fit feels good to Morris coach Alan Thorson, as well.

“This year, with Coal City being a lot closer to us, it seems like it’s something the whole town is talking about,” Thorson said. “There’s a lot of excitement in the town about the game, and the kids are excited, too.

They are looking forward to that opening game.”

Another new wrinkle to the Morris schedule is replacing Quincy Notre Dame with Crete-Monee in the third week.

“Our schedule is definitely tougher in the nonconference [portion] than it has been,” Thorson said. “After Coal City, we have Washington, which will probably be one of the top-ranked teams in [Class] 5A, and then Crete-Monee, which is one of the top teams in [Class] 6A. “Then, our conference is always tough. If we can get through and make the playoffs, then our schedule will definitely have us well-prepared for what we’ll see once the playoffs start.”

For Seneca, nearly every opponent will be new, as it no longer is a member of the Interstate Eight Conference. The Fighting Irish have

See NEW BEGINNINGS, page 9

9 TOUCHDOWN 2018 Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Tuesday, August 21, 2018 Larry W. Kane for Shaw Media

Minooka’s new coach John Belskis talks to his players Aug. 14 at Minooka High School. Belskis takes over the head coaching position after Terry McCombs stepped down because of health reasons. McCombs will remain on the staff as an assistant coach.

• NEW BEGINNINGS Continued from page 8 the Sangamon Valley Conference for football and Tri-County Conference for all other sports. The Irish will play former I-8 rival Westmont in the opener and will face new conference member, but longtime rival, Dwight, as well.

The other opponents on the Seneca schedule – Ottawa Marquette, Paxton-Buckley-Loda, Clifton Central, Iroquois West, Watseka, Momence and Bismarck-Henning – are all new to the Irish.

It may take some time, seventh-year Seneca coach Ted O’Boyle said, for the Irish players to come to terms with the new league.

“I almost think it’s one of those things where we’ve got to start playing games before the kids really realize we’re not in the Interstate Eight anymore,” O’Boyle said.

Seneca is hoping that the new conference will bring a better playoff chance, as it has not made the postseason since 2013.

Minooka, meanwhile, will see the same regular-season opponents it did

last year. The Indians still are part of the 10-team Southwest Prairie Conference, meaning that all nine games on their schedule will be conference games. That will change next year, when Yorkville and West Aurora join the SPC to up its membership to 12.

This year, the difference for Minooka is a new coach. John Belskis, who won 201 games and a Class 8A state title at Downers Grove South, takes over as the front man for the Minooka program. Terry McCombs, who led Minooka to a 9-3 record and a berth in the Class 8A quarterfinals, will remain on the staff as an assistant.

“There’s been virtually no change,” Belskis said of his “promotion” to head coach in place of McCombs, who stepped down from the head coaching position for health reasons. “The only real difference is that I will go out for the coin toss instead of Terry, nothing else has really changed.”

For Belskis and the rest of his college of coaches, the key will be maintaining the tremendous momentum of last year’s improbable Class 8A playoff run, where the Indians picked up back-to-back overtime wins over Niles Notre Dame and Barrington to keep the postseason drive alive. They then

Shaw Media file photo

Seneca coach Ted O’Boyle and the Irish will take on new opponents this season in the Sangamon Valley Conference. nearly upended Edwardsville in the third round, as well, falling, 28-25.

“You can sell things a lot easier now, and you hope that there’s a carry over from that,” Belskis said. “It’s a

programwide thing with us where we are trying to improve at every single level. We hope we are heading in the right direction. We’re not there yet, but we’re getting there.”

Belskis moves into head coaching role New cast for Indians after last season’s success

By DRAKE SKLEBA

Shaw Media correspondent The veteran coaching staff of the Minooka Indians will have a challenge on their hands this season.

The team reached the third round of the IHSA playoffs in somewhat surprising fashion last season, but if the Indians are going to keep the good times rolling, they will do so with an almost entirely new cast of characters.

Minooka also will have a change in the “title” of head coach John Belskis, formerly at Downers Grove South, who takes over for former head coach Terry McCombs, who remains on staff as an assistant.

Graduation losses were heavy and Belskis will begin his head coaching tenure at Minooka, with only a three returning starters from the 2017 squad.

“We are very young and will be starting numerous underclassman this season,” Belskis said. “We have a very talented group of juniors, and I truly believe, if we can stay healthy, this group will compete for a state championship. We may get there as early as this year. If not in 2018, in 2019, we will be in position to win that state championship.”

After accounting for nearly 600 yards of total offense as a sophomore, junior Connor Etzkorn burst onto the Larry W. Kane for Shaw Media

See MINOOKA, page 11

Minooka’s Seth Lehr passes during practice Aug. 14 at Minooka High School.

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TOUCHDOWN 2018

10 MINOOKA

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• MINOOKA

11

Continued from page 10

See MINOOKA, page 12

Minooka works on blocking drills during an Aug. 14 practice in Minooka.

Larry W. Kane for Shaw Media

MINOOKA INDIANS COACH John Belskis (1st season, 201-62 in 24 years overall) 2017 RECORD 9-3, 7-2 in Southwest Prairie CLASSIFICATION ENROLLMENT 2,724 (Class 8A) OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR John Belskis DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR Matt Harding

RETURNING OFFENSIVE STARTERS

SCHEDULE

RB Connor Etzkorn (Jr.),

AUG. 24: vs. Plainfield South, 7 p.m.

WR Steve Gonzales, Jr. (Jr.)

AUG. 31: vs. Oswego, 7 p.m.

SEPT. 7: at Joliet Central, 6:30 p.m.

SEPT. 14: at Plainfield East, 7 p.m.

RETURNING DEFENSIVE STARTERS

SEPT. 21: vs Plainfield North, 7 p.m.

None

SEPT. 28: at Plainfield Central, 7 p.m.

OCT. 5: vs. Romeoville, 7 p.m.

OCT. 12: at Joliet West, 7 p.m.

OCT. 19: vs. Oswego East, 7 p.m.

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Best of Luck This Season

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TOUCHDOWN 2018 Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Tuesday, August 21, 2018

scene last season to lead Minooka with 10 touchdowns.

“I really think we are going to have a good season again,” Etzkorn said. “I feel the only way we can be beat is if we beat ourselves with mistakes. I hope we can have the best offensive backfield set in the conference. It would be nice also to rush for 1,000 yards.”

Junior wide receiver Steve Gonzales Jr. also returns. He looks to be the main target for Indians junior quarterback Seth Lehr.

“We’re looking really good on both sides of the ball. Our special teams also look good,” Gonzales Jr. said.

“I’m confident we can be as successful as we were last season. I have no personal goals but just a team goal, that we all can come together and have a great season.”

Anchoring the Indians’ young offensive line is tackle Kyle Williamson (6-4, 220). Williamson will be joined by center Ryan Doody and guard Jake Shipla. The other offensive line spots and the tight end and wide receiver positions are up for grabs.

“We have a very athletic and very young team,” Williamson said. “We

Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Tuesday, August 21, 2018

TOUCHDOWN 2018

12

• MINOOKA

Continued from page 11 have to continue to work hard and drill and try to get better each day.

I feel we have been accomplishing that this preseason. I just want to do the little things on the offense line well, to help us succeed.� Junior Alfred Vaughn looks to lead the young Indians defensive line at tackle. The other line spots also are up for grabs. “We truly have no idea right now what Minooka Indians team we will put on the field here for our opener against Plainfield South,� Belskis said. Junior linebacker Tommy Burrs (6-0, 215) looks to lead the young linebacker corps. The Indians also are looking for big things from junior linebacker Fred Doligale and senior linebacker Connor Colbert. as well.

Senior Nick Daniel looks to lead the young Indians defensive backfield. “Yes, we are very, very young,�

Belskis added. “That’s no excuse.

They don’t put the year in school on our uniforms, just our numbers.�

MINOOKA ROSTER Name Steven Gonzalez Nicholas Daniel Noah Ellens Seth Lehr Samual Buduris Alec Dufour Connor Etzkorn Shane O’Brien Nicholas Schultz Jakob Mayfield Noah Sustaita Mason Cave Carter Bogan Ernesto Ramirez Braden Vercler Samuel Buss Jonathon Morales Jaylen Goolsby Michael Fink DeAmonte McIntosh Trent Hudak Hunter Ryan

Ht. Wt. Yr. 5-9 150 Jr. 5-9 160 Sr. 6-0 150 Jr. 5-10 170 Jr. 5-11 145 Jr. 6-1 190 Sr. 5-10 160 Jr. 6-1 185 Sr. 6-0 175 Jr. 6-0 170 Jr. 6-1 165 Sr. 5-10 160 So. 6-0 170 Sr. 6-1 165 Jr. 6-0 160 Sr. 5-8 165 Sr. 5-10 190 Sr. 5-10 155 So. 5-11 160 Sr. 5-9 125 Jr. 5-9 150 Jr. 5-10 160 So.

Name Jarrell Mays Zachary Grayson Brandon Thompson Brett Bosak DaVonte Welcher Samuel Beck Gino Cioni Mason Spivey Nicholas Haase Zachary Prohaska Kenneth Weston Conner Campbell Joseph Morris Jackson Carroll Connor Colbert Dylan Norton Kian Kennedy Brandon Christensen Kyle Williamson Thomas Burrs Jacob Kellams John Doligale

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Name Tyler Moore Noah Loizon Ryan Doody Devin Kroplewski Michael Susnar Bradley Overmyer Dylan Meyer Christian Carpenter Drew Gutknecht Blaine Fleming Olutoye Jegede Jacob Shipla Edward Doyle Cameron Cooney Joshua Ensing Thomas Tremblay Michael Zito Jalen Cole Jerry Svarz Oluwatele Jegede Maxwell Streibich Alfred Vaughn

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SENECA

Seneca preparing for first season in Sangamon Valley

By CHARLIE ELLERBROCK

cellerbrock@shawmedia.com Things couldn’t have started better or ended worse for the Seneca High School football team a year ago, so a fresh chance of a new season in a new conference would appear to be just what the doctor ordered.

The Fighting Irish last season rebounded from the late-preseason loss of their starting quarterback to get off to a 3-1 start before the power of the Interstate Eight Small Division caught up to them and dealt them five straight defeats.

But now that disappointment is in the past, and Seneca has a refreshed, more confident attitude as it joins a Shaw Media file photo

See SENECA, page 14

Seneca does battle with Reed-Custer in a game last season. The Irish will no longer play the Comets, as they have joined the Sangamon Valley Conference.

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TOUCHDOWN 2018 Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Fighting Irish ready for new beginning

13

Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Tuesday, August 21, 2018

TOUCHDOWN 2018

14

Shaw Media file photo

Logan Bruss is one of the key returning players for the Seneca football team this season.

• SENECA

Continued from page 13 new league, the Sangamon Valley, for its seventh year under head coach Ted O’Boyle.

“You couldn’t ask for better practices than we’ve had,” said O’Boyle, whose program starts seeking its first playoff appearance since 2013 when it hosts Westmont in Week 1. “They’ve been awesome, some of the best we’ve had in a long time with an attitude that’s been great. With some new additions to the coaching staff and with us going into a new conference, there’s a certain level of excitement around here right now, and I like where we’re at … but we know we have a ways to go.

We’ve set the bar high, and we have to keep pushing toward it.”

The Irish have several key veterans back from the club that had to make last-second adjustments to the loss of quarterback Hunter Greve, among

SENECA FIGHTING IRISH COACH Ted O’Boyle (27-30, 7th season) 2017 RECORD 3-6, 1-4 in Interstate Eight Small CLASSIFICATION ENROLLMENT 456 (Class 3A) OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR Ted O’Boyle DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR Don Brown them his successors at that position: the versatile senior back Logan Bruss and this year’s signal caller, senior Ken Sangston.

Bruss, who collected 667 rushing yards in a QB/RB role, will be “the focal

RETURNING OFFENSIVE STARTERS RB Brody Baudino (Sr.), RB Logan Bruss (Sr.), QB Ken Sangston (Sr.), OL Ben Hogue (Sr.), OL Adam Powell (Sr.) RETURNING DEFENSIVE STARTERS DB Logan Bruss (Sr.) LB Brody Baudino (Sr.) DL Ben Hogue (Sr.) DB Owen Barnett (Sr.) point” of the offense, the coach said. He and Sangston, an improving runner and capable thrower, will be joined in the backfield by two other rapidly improving backs, senior Brody Baudino and sophomore Cole Underhill.

SCHEDULE AUG. 24: vs. Westmont, 7 p.m.

AUG. 31: at Ottawa Marquette, 7 p.m..

SEPT. 7: vs. Dwight, 7 p.m.

SEPT. 15: vs. Paxton-Buckley-Loda, 1 p.m.

SEPT. 21: at Clifton Central, 7 p.m.

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The main targets in the passing game should be senior receiver Connor Greve and tight ends T.J. Van Ness, a junior, and sophomore Ryan McCauley.

See SENECA, page 15

Ted Boyle, Seneca coach

• SENECA

Continued from page 14 Together, they add a strong traditional running game, further diversifying the spread attack Seneca has recently employed, but only if the “work in progress” offensive line can replace graduated Logan Vandenberg.

Seniors Ben Hogue and Adam Powell are solid returnees, but the remainder up front is inexperienced at the varsity level. Among the candidates are seniors Ian Wilkinson and Jacob Hampton, juniors Edgar Reyes and Collin Quinn and sophomores Tyler Greve, Ricky Millman and the promising Gavin Robertson.

“Right now, our strength is in our skill positions, mainly our running backs,” O’Boyle said. “We’re going to run a little different system offensively that will require us to have four, five, even six guys who can carry the ball and right now, I think we have that. I like the versatility of the puzzle pieces we have at our skill positions, so it will just be about getting the line ready.

“Undoubtedly, the improvement of the offensive line will be the key to our success. The effort is never a doubt with those guys because they know you could have the best backs in the history of high school, but it you don’t have the line in front of them, they wouldn’t have half their yards.”

Defensively, keys again will be Hogue and Powell on the line, with inside linebackers Robertson and junior Myles Mitchell and outside linebackers Bruss and Baudino. Sangston, Underhill, Van Ness, Connor Greve, junior Ben Virgo, senior Owen Barnett and junior Creighton O’Boyle all are in the backfield mix.

“We have to have guys step up,” O’Boyle said. “Our varsity roster isn’t going to be huge, so a lot of people are going to have to step up and contribute for us to be successful in this new conference. … This is a good fit for us, a very solid 2A-3A conference, one where I’m familiar with several of the programs and the coaches. It’s new, an exciting opportunity for our guys, to have a fresh start and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

SENECA ROSTER Name Luke Sangston Cody Carey Ben Virgo Ryan McCauley Cody Carvell Ken Sangston Carter Hartwig Logan Bruss Owen Barnett Zakk Gonnam Connor Greve Mason Daggett Trey Thorsen Creighton O’Boyle Brayden Roe Brody Baudino T.J. Van Ness

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Name Cole Underhill Eli Painter Myles Mitchell Ben Houge Ian Wilkinson Maveric Varland Edgar Reyes Adam Powell Nathaniel Finch Nathan Elliott Jacob Hampton Collin Quinn Gavin Robertson Tyler Greve Ricky Milliman Chase Hauch

Ht. Wt. Yr. 5-10 170 So. 6-0 155 Jr. 5-10 185 Jr. 6-1 215 Sr. 6-3 195 Sr. 6-0 180 So. 5-9 180 Jr. 6-0 280 Sr. 6-0 165 So. 6-0 200 So. 6-1 320 Sr. 5-7 180 Jr. 5-7 175 So. 5-11 220 So. 5-5 250 So. 5-11 160 So.

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15 TOUCHDOWN 2018 Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Tuesday, August 21, 2018

We have to have guys step up. Our varsity roster isn’t going to be huge, so a lot of people are going to have to step up and contribute for us to be successful in this new conference. … This is a good fit for us, a very solid 2A-3A conference, one where I’m familiar with several of the programs and the coaches. It’s new, an exciting opportunity for our guys, to have a fresh start and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

TOUCHDOWN 2018

16

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Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Tuesday, August 21, 2018

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Appointments with medical specialists are available on certain days each month.

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