Buffalo Grove aims to measure up
Buffalo Grove has won just four games in the last three years. But coach Mike DiMatteo says he feels the Bison can turn things around this year.
"We have a chance to be pretty competitive if we stay injury-free," DiMatteo said. "Injuries buried us last year. Last year by the second game of the season, we were playing a JV offensive line because of injuries."
DiMatteo, who has 40 players on his roster, will look to platoon his players as much as possible.
Buffalo Grove will look to pick it up on offense this year. Last season, with an injury-depleted crew, the Bison averaged just over 14 points per game.
Trey Cervantes was a sophomore last year and got some work last season as the signal-caller. He will lead the Bison on offense. Cervantes, who is 6-foot-3 and 160 pounds, was 89-of-155 for 917 yards and 5 touchdowns in a limited role for Buffalo Grove.
"I think we have a solid quarterback," DiMatteo said. "He showed how well he could play last year under a lot of adversity."
Joe Biaggi (6-5, 230), Evan Lamensdorf (6-0, 215), Ricky Strba (6-4, 250), Anthony Barra (6-3, 265), T.J. Johns (6-0, 235) and Aaron Schubert (5-11, 235) make up a very stout offensive line that will be looking to protect Cervantes.
Chris Beck, who was second in receiving last year with 14 catches for 147 yards, returns for the Bison. Mike Kleczynski will play slot receiver, sophomore Jim Trieb and Tommy McSorley will also see action at wide receiver while Dan Levato and Mario Johnson will play running back.
"I think offensively we can be pretty competitive," DiMatteo said. "We just aren't deep. So that will be the key."
Strong safety John Maddox (6-1, 195) leads an undersized, but quick defense for the Bison, who will play a 4-2 scheme.
"He is the glue that keeps us together," DiMatteo said. "We are trying to build our defense by being small and fast."
Jake Mueller (6-1, 180) and John Asquini (5-10, 165) will play linebacker while Miguel Martinez (5-9, 225), Alex Horvat (6-2, 225), Devin Curran (6-0, 185) and Tommy Gillespie (6-1, 215) make up the front six that will rely on quickness to keep opponents off balance. Evan Frank, McSorely and Kleczynski will be in the defensive backfield.
"Those guys are pretty competitive dudes," DiMatteo said. "We are small but we try to run. Our guys are pretty resilient. If you want to turn a program around, it comes down to a change in attitude and culture. And we have really tried to do that."
Like most coaches, DiMatteo is looking forward to his team's opener. But this year, when his team plays at Leyden, the game will take on a special meaning to DiMatteo, who grew up in Melrose Park.
"For me it is a little bit of a homecoming," said DiMatteo, who attended nearly Walther Lutheran. "I am going to have lots of friends and family and former classmates there."