Sports

Meet LTHS’ new football head coach

Former assistant What was the play ting the job? ers’ reaction to you getJon Beutjer a familiar face with the program I’ve been ve relationships overwhelmed ry blessed to develop a lot of great with former players. I’ve been and humbled by all the messages By JAMES KAY parents, current parents, current players, and Sports Editor even then future players and future parents as well. I’m very thankful to have such

After former Lyons Township High a great support group. I’m excited School football head coach Dan Hartabout it, but very humbled as well. man stepped down from his position that I’ve received from former players, former at the school in July, the Lions were Having been a prolific high tasked to fill the vacancy he left beschool QB and experiencing hind. success at University of Illi

Waiting in the wings was nine-year nois, what can we expect to see LTHS football assistant coach Jon from the offense this upcoming Beutjer. As a former high school footseason? ball star and collegiate and professional quarterback, Beutjer is ready JON BEUTJER We want our kids to perfect the basics, perfect our schemes, learn how to mold the program to his liking. to block and learn how to tackle. Of

He talked with the Landmark to discuss what fensively, we want to control the clock, move to the future holds for LTHS football. chains and drive the ball down the field and score points. Most importantly we have to get the foot

After being in the program for 10 years, ball into the hands of your best players. how important do you think it is for you to have the familiarity that you do with the One of the things that is important for program under these circumstances? high school sports is recruiting. Your foot

Beutjer: I think it helps that I’ve been at LT for ball background speaks for itself but what 10 years. I’ve gotten to know the community, the kids, the athletic program and former players that came through here. I live in the community also that helps me get to know the younger kids as well. It’s a real honor and a blessing. I’m very humbled to be at such a great school. do you bring to the table in that regard? I have been blessed to continue my relationship with Kurt Weinberg who coached here for a while. For the last eight years, I’ve witnessed college coaches coming in the spring and I’ve gotten to know some of them because [Weinberg] was Since you came to LTHS, was this a goal of yours, to eventually take over the reins to the Lions’ football team? It’s always been at the back of my mind. Watchnice enough to introduce me to a lot of them. So I’ve actually developed relationships with a lot of the colleges, even though those guys bounce around all the time. I have witnessed ing coach [Kurt] Weinberg very closely and coach the way in which [Weinberg] handled recruiters [Dan] Hartman and being around Tom Sloan, which was great. I’ve been blessed to learn and watch these great coaches at LT. There’s a lot of fine coaches at LT With football not coming back until the and I feel like this is a great time for me. spring, how are you going to get the players ready during this down time?

What are your goals now that you are the For now, I just started sending the kids workleader of the program? outs and we have had whole-program Zoom meet

Our goals as a coaching staff is to get the best ings. We are soon going to start talking about colout of each player and help them reach their polege recruiting and just keeping them focused. tential on the football field and in the classroom. Right now, we are going to have Zoom meetings We want them to also become the person we twice a week but that will change as we get closer know they can become. to the start of the school year. We are using this

I believe that when you demand excellence as a teachable moment where the staff is teachfrom yourself, and you are a person of high charing [the players] life lessons so they are prepared acter, and you have great sportsmanship, and for life after football. But we are also motivated you’re a team player, you do all the right things to get the program going and perform at an exoff the field, then the wins will come. tremely high level.

PHOTO BY SALLY CAREY FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS TURNED OFF: Football has been moved to the spring in an attempt to buy the IHSA more time with COVID-19.

IHSA to have four short sports seasons in 2020-2

Football, boys soccer, girls volleyball moved to the spring

By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

For months, the IHSA has attempted to get high school athletes back out on the field. After retreating from its initial Phase 4 Return to Play guidelines, the association has decided to attempt a four-season format that would push back the start date for sports considered to be at “higher risk.”

While the situation is still fluid, the plan is that the fall season will consist of golf and cross country along with girls tennis and girls swimming and diving. The first season will run from Aug. 10 to Oct. 24.

Most notably, fall sports including football, boys soccer and girls volleyball will be moved to the spring, since they are considered to be higher-risk sports.

The sports that will compete in the winter season (Nov. 16 to Feb. 13) are basketball, wrestling, boys swimming, cheerleading, dance, bowling and girls gymnastics. The spring (Feb. 15 to May 1) will include football, boys soccer, girls volleyball, badminton, boys gymnastics and water polo.

A new summer season (May 3 to June 26) will be occupied by baseball, softball, track and field, girls soccer, boys volleyball, lacrosse and boys tennis.

The announcement from the IHSA comes after Gov. J.B. Prtizker’s July 29 press conference, where he announced youth and adult recreational sports would be restricted to a large extent. The state breaks down what goes into the classification of a higher-, mediumand low-risk sport.

The sports considered to be at higher risk are boxing, competitive cheer, competitive dance, football, hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, rugby, ultimate Frisbee and wrestling.

The sports considered to be at medium risk are basketball. fencing, flag football or 7-on-7 football, paintball, racquetball, soccer, volleyball, water polo and wheelchair basketball.

The sports considered to be at low risk are archery, baseball, badminton, bowling, climbing and crew, cross country, cycling, disc golf, scholastic golf, gymnastics, horseback riding, ice skating, ropes courses, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, sideline spirit, skateboarding, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field and weight lifting.