Football: Marist grabs preseason No. 1 spot
By Pat Disabato pdisabato@southtownstar.com August 22, 2012 10:36PM
Marist players l-r, Rob Hall, , Brian Lang, and Andy Bischoff hold up Nic Weishar as Ian Woodworth looks on at the school in Chicago, IL on Friday August 10, 2012. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: September 24, 2012 6:04AM
It was a tough call naming the SouthtownStar’s preseason No. 1.
As many as six teams were in the mix.
In the end, however, Marist, with the majority of its explosive offense intact from a 7-3 squad that registered 369 points in 2011, earned the nod.
True, the RedHawks’ defense was a sieve last season, allowing a jaw-dropping 319 points. But a new scheme, as well as personnel, should drastically improve matters.
Here’s a look at the Preseason Top 10:
1. MARIST
Last year: 7-3
Key players: Ian Woodworth, QB, 6-foot, 165; Nic Weishar, WR, 6-5, 215; Bryan Polak, WR, 6-2, 205; Peter Andreotti, RB, 5-10, 175; Andy Bischoff, OL, 6-2, 280; Rob Hall, OL, 6-foot, 253; Josh Hickey, OL, 6-1, 255; Ryan Fell, OL, 6-3, 255; Brian Lang, OL, 6-3, 260; Shannon Smith, DL, 6-1, 268; Steve McGugan, DL, 6-1, 235; Danny Sullivan, LB, 5-10, 205; Mike Layer, LB, 5-11, 205; Cody Bohanek, DB, 6-foot, 195; Rual Boles, DB, 5-10, 190.
Keep an eye on: David Nelson, DB, 6-2, 200; Marcus Pitts, DL, 6-2, 277; Tim Finucane, LB, 6-3, 205; Flynn Nagel, WR, 5-10, 180.
Coach Pat Dunne: “The preseason No. 1 thing doesn’t mean anything. That’s where we want to finish.”
Key to success: It all comes down to defense. The RedHawks allowed 319 points last season — an amount that must be severely reduced.
2. MOUNT CARMEL
Last year: 10-4
Key players: Don Butkus, QB, 6-foot, 182; Draco Smith, RB, 5-9, 185; Jason Gasser, WR, 6-1, 193; Brian Parker, OL, 5-11, 230; Nick Dreixler, OL, 6-2, 241; Juan Beltran, OL, 6-1, 254; Steve Richardson, DL, 5-11, 285; Enoch Smith, DL, 6-3, 261; D.J. Romero, LB, 6-1, 201; Vincent Speller, DB, 6-1, 190; Justin Sanchez, DB, 5-11, 180.
Keep an eye on: Dominic Villa, WR, 5-7, 151; Matt Domer, RB, 5-11, 180; Ronan Flaherty, LB, 5-11, 190; Connor Griffin, LB, 5-9, 175.
Coach Frank Lenti: “To me, we’re very thin (depth). If we get one or two guys hurt, it could be a long season.”
Key to success: Sooner or later, likely the playoffs, the Caravan will need to show it can move the chains through the air. If it can do that, there may be no stopping this team.
3. LINCOLN-WAY EAST
Last year: 10-1
Key players: Nick Allegretti, OL, 6-4, 280; Tom Fuessel, QB, 6-3, 180; Justin Corbett, WR, 6-2, 205; Kevin Duffin, RB, 6-2, 190; Mitch Arvidson, OL, 6-foot, 200; Ryan Weitendorf, OL, 6-foot, 210; Nick Cocorikis, OL, 6-2, 230; Tom Plunkett, OL, 6-3, 270; Mitch Kehoe, OL, 6-3, 210; Adam O’Grady, LB, 6-foot, 200; Mitch Murphy, LB, 5-11, 180; Kyle Langenderfer, LB, 5-8, 150; Mike Stachowitz, DL, 6-2, 210; Adam Hould, DL, 6-foot, 210; Curt Olbrich, DL, 6-foot, 205; Jarret Lecas, DB, 5-11, 160; Brendan Sleeman, DB, 6-1, 180; Sean Doherty, DB, 5-11, 170; Marcus Cosby, DB,5-10, 160; Moe Almasri, DB, 5-11, 165.
Keep an eye on: Josh Mahalovich, WR, 5-8, 180; Nick Colangelo, RB, 5-10, 195.
Coach Rob Zvonar: “We have been very pleased with the leadership, work ethic and attitude of this group.”
Key to success: The offense, with the lightning-quick Fuessel leading the attack, will rely more on running the football than in recent years. The Griffins, however, will have to show opponents they’re still capable of throwing the ball.
4. ST. RITA
Last year: 10-3
Key players: Alex Zaleski, OL, 6-3, 275; Kevin Pergande, OL, 6-2, 260; Eric Ponio, OL, 6-1, 250; Troy Johnson, OL, 6-1, 250; Tim Lombard, RB, 5-9, 180; Guerby Ministre, RB, 5-7, 175; John Kelley, QB, 6-1, 175; Chuck Haas, DL, 5-7, 220; Jack Spears, LB, 6-1, 205; Jake Spalilina, OL, 6-1, 245; Ben Threloff, LB, 6-3, 220; Pat Healy, LB, 6-foot, 205; Tom Adent, WR, 5-8, 170; Nick Piraino, OL, 6-foot, 230; Nick Goldsmith, P; John Kelly, K.
Keep an eye on: Tom McCormick, WB/WR, 6-1, 205; Malik Space, WR, 6-2, 185; Ed Randle, TE, 6-7, 230; Lamar Dawson, WR/DB, 5-11, 180.
Coach Todd Kuska: “We expect to compete once again for the Catholic League Blue title along with the state championship.”
Key to success: The Mustangs must take advantage of the strong-armed Kelley and multiple weapons at receiver.
5. CRETE-MONEE
Last year: 10-1
Key players: Laquon Treadwell, WR, 6-3, 180; Marcus Terrell, QB, 6-1, 180; Lance Lenoir, WR, 6-foot, 165; Austin Rosenfeldt, OL, 6-3, 290; Jim Walsh, OL, 6-4, 250; Josh McCaskill, OL, 6-2, 280; Jonathan Schultz, DL, 6-2, 270; Nyles Morgan, LB, 6-2, 220; Kyle Lewis, LB, 6-1, 200; Jaylen Dunlap, DB, 6-1, 180.
Keep an eye on: Kyle Tilley, RB, 5-10, 180.
Coach Jerry Verde: “We have some talent, but we’re still missing a few pieces needed to be a complete team.”
Key to success: Opponents are sure to double-team Treadwell whenever possible. It’s imperative another wideout steps up, especially during the postseason.
6. LEMONT
Last year: 12-1
Key players: Ethan Pocic, OL, 6-6, 285; Tim McAuliffe, OL, 6-2, 280; Nick Runnfeldt, OL, 6-1, 270; Chris Giatras, RB, 5-11, 205; Rick Sniegowski, TE;, 6-1, 180; Connor O’Brien, LB, 6-2, 210; Matt Luzzo, DB, 5-10, 170; Jake Lawrence, DB, 5-10, 180; Jake Lemming, DB, 5-9, 160.
Keep an eye on: Zach Brosseau, QB, 5-11, 175.
Coach Eric Michaelson: “We have zero experience at most of the skill positions and defensive line. If we can fill those holes, we should be in pretty good shape.”
Key to success: With Pocic, McAuliffe and Runnfeldt on the offensive line and Giatras in the backfield, Lemont will score points. The defensive line, however, must come together if another postseason run is going to be realized.
7. RICHARDS
Last year: 6-5
Key players: Joe Kupcikevicius, OL, 6-5, 265; Wael Ahmad, OL, 6-3, 235; Naglis Ciecnas, OL, 6-5, 220; Jonathan Gubula, OL, 6-foot, 210; Tommy Mister, QB, 6-1, 185; R.J. Balsan, WR, 5-10, 175; Romel Hill, LB, 6-foot, 190; DiAndre Smith, LB, 6-1, 200; Andrew Venerable, LB, 6-foot, 185; Savon Robinson, DL, 6-2, 215; Brian Hettiger, DL, 6-2, 205; Rod Polk, DB, 5-9, 165; Deion Carter, DB, 6-foot, 175; Donte Johnson, DB, 5-9, 165.
Keep an eye on: Jimmy Wujcik, WR, 6-3, 175.
Coach Tony Sheehan: “We have a lot of players who got great experience last year. The youth excuse is out the window. I feel we’ll be in the conference race if we stay healthy.”
Key to success: The Bulldogs appear void of any glaring weakness. If they stay healthy and Mister can develop into a consistent passing threat, Richards could be produce a special season.
8. THORNTON
Last year: 6-4
Key players: Jamal Towns, RB/DB, 5-7, 175; Jason Towns, DB/WR, 5-7, 160; Jerome Jenkins, OL/DL, 6-2, 290; Jalen Banks, DB, 5-11, 195; Taje Frazier, DB, 5-10, 165; Jowahn Brown, QB, 6-3, 195.
Keep an eye on: Lavon Ratcliffe, DL, 6-3, 240; Rejean Macon, OL, 6-4, 270; Myshawn Smith, OL, 6-3, 240; Kameron Barner, OL, 6-3, 230.
Coach Bill Mosel: “The key for us is we need to develop on the offensive and defensive lines.”
Key to success: Being able to run the ball on offense and stop the run on defense. If the offensive line can develop into a strength, the Wildcats have multiple weapons that can take it to the house each time they touch the ball.
9. HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR
Last year: 8-4
Key players: Payson Wick, OL, 6-4, 290; Willie Ross, TE, 6-4, 185; Thad Little, DB, 6-4, 180; Damon Davies, LB, 6-foot, 205; Keith Carter, LB, 6-foot, 225.
Keep an eye on: Taje Smith, RB, 5-7, 160; Ronald Johnson, QB, 6-2, 170; Isaac Cutrara, QB, 6-2, 175.
Coach Craig Buzea: “With only five returning starters, our youth ... is a concern, and we will need some new names to step up and play some big roles if we are to reach our goals.”
Key to success: While a lack of experience could be problematic, the junior and sophomore classes are some of the most talented the program has seen in years. How fast those classes adapt and contribute will dictate the success of this season.
10. OAK FOREST
Last year: 7-4
Key players: Blake Waller, DB, 5-11, 180; Corey Brent, DB, 5-11, 185; Rondell Saddler, LB, 5-10, 190; Andrew McCann, DL, 6-foot, 235; Alec Brown, LB, 6-foot, 215; Brendan Powers, DL, 6-3, 230; Ricky Vargas, DL, 6-foot, 235; Ryan Walton, OL, 6-5, 245; Matt Barry, RB, 5-11, 205; Tom Zale, QB, 6-1, 200; Tyler Usterbowski, RB, 5-8, 175; Kyle Hullinger, WR, 6-1, 195.
Keep an eye on: Connor Rago, WR, 6-foot, 170.
Coach Brian McDonough: “We lost two Division I players in Tevin Coleman (Indiana) and Alex Hansen (Air Force), which will be hard to make up for. But this is a great group of kids.”
Key to success: The Bengals have a ton of skill at receiver. The more often they get the ball into those kids’ hands, the better off they’ll be.
