New coach, new look for Hampshire offense

Some of new football coach Mike Brasile's schemes will look familiar to Hampshire football fans.

Others might take an adjustment period.

Hampshire's first new coach in a quarter of a century will run the same 4-2 defensive front as predecessor Dan Cavanaugh, who in his final season led the Whip-Purs to a 6-4 overall record, a third-place finish in the Fox Valley Conference's Fox Division and a playoff berth.

As for the hybrid wing-T offense the Whip-Purs have run for a generation? Mothballed, replaced by a fast-paced spread attack.

"A lot faster tempo," returning senior quarterback Nick Mohlman said of the new scheme. "We're going to put pressure on the defense and make sure they're able to get up on the ball and keep up with the game we want to play. We're not going to let them adjust to how we run the offense."

Interest in football has never been higher at Hampshire a year after the varsity reached the playoffs and the sophomore team went 8-1. Brasile will direct a varsity of 45 players. Overall, the program has swelled to a record 130 players at all levels, up from 94 a year ago. Of those 130 players, 45 are freshmen.

Mohlman is among the team's most experienced returnees. The quarterback was efficient in his junior debut, when he threw for 1,067 yards and 12 touchdowns on 63-of-108 passing (58 percent) while limiting his interceptions to 5.

"He's going to be a huge asset for us," Brasile said. "We also have Mason Fleury. He really looks good. He's a hard runner and a hard worker."

In 2013, Fleury (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) rushed for 221 yards and a touchdown on only 35 carries (6.3 avg.), but his role is expected to expand.

Trey Schramm, a baseball player who over the summer committed to pitch for Xavier, can line up in multiple positions. He will spell Fleury, a two-way player whose primary role is that of "quarterback of the defense" from his safety position, Fleury's coach said.

Mohlman will throw to a variety of receivers now that area leader Tim Jansen has graduated, including basketball player Matt Bridges (6-foot-2), who decided to also play football as a senior. Josh Cook didn't play football last year, but he will split time with Schramm at the X position. Junior Xavier Bennett (5-7, 140) showed he belonged during summer 7-on-7 competition, Brasile said. Jake Manning (5-10, 155) is a junior expected to contribute with his combination of speed and skill.

The offensive line returns two-way starter Gader Bulow (6-1, 215) along with Brent Enger (6-1, 240), the latter of whom gained valuable playing time last year.

An key reinforcement is expected to arrive in September, when 6-foot-2, 260-pound junior Matt Kielbasa is cleared to practice. Kielbasa's sophomore season ended early due to a shoulder injury. He fully recovered over the winter only to suffer a meniscus injury last spring while playing baseball.

"We're looking forward to getting a nice little shot in the arm whenever he comes back," Brasile said. "He's been a starter since he was a freshman and he's a junior now."

Joining Fleury (3 interceptions) on defense are returning cornerback Mike Kruse (2 interceptions) and Bulow. Senior Mike Palazallo also returns but stands up at linebacker this season after playing end as a junior. Senior Pat Fleener saw some action at defensive tackle last year.

"Our defense is going to look really good this year," Palazzolo said.

Good enough for a return trip to the playoffs?

"Our goal always starting off the season is 9-0, to have a conference title and to make the playoffs," Brasile said. "We play in a league that's really tough and we have some nonconference games like Burlington (Central), a rivalry game. We'll take it one week at a time and I hope that we achieve that."