Experience, skill could make for winning mix at Wauconda

The numbers are looking good at Wauconda.

Not only are the Bulldogs up about 10 players on the varsity from last year, they've also got plenty of returning starters back in the fold.

Eight starters return on offense and seven on defense from a team that just missed the playoffs last year with a 4-5 record.

“We have a large junior and senior class and we have some great experience coming back,” Wauconda coach Dave Mills said. “We've been able to pick up where we left off.

“We're really excited about the season. I think our biggest strength will be our experience and our numbers and our depth. We still have a lot of good competition going on for spots.”

One spot that is settled is quarterback. Senior Kevin Malisheski returns for his third season under center. Last year, Malisheski was one of the top quarterbacks in Lake County with 1,668 passing yards and 18 touchdowns. He also rushed for 325 yards and 9 touchdowns.

“I'm really excited to see what Kevin does as a senior,” Mills said. “As a sophomore, he was just trying to learn everything and the game was maybe a little fast for him. He had a good year last year, and now it's time to just let him get out and do his thing. He's so comfortable now. If we're screwing up on something, he's making the correction before we (coaches) are. I like that we have another coach on the field in Kevin.”

Also a talented pitcher, Malisheski has verbally committed to play baseball at Illinois State. But another big season this fall could give him options with football.

Speaking of options, Malisheski will have a couple of solid ones to throw to in senior receivers Jake Grobelny and Parker Fink. The two combined for nearly 600 receiving yards last season.

“Those two (Grobelny and Fink) and Kevin have been playing football and baseball together for their entire lives,” Mills said. “They have a great chemistry together and they enjoy being around each other. We'll be able to pass the ball a lot.”

But the Bulldogs likely won't pass more than they'll run. Mills is still committed to about a 60 percent run, 40 percent pass offense.

“We'll be pretty balanced, but I like our running game and we'll run it plenty,” Mills said. “We've got some good options there. Our running backs coach, Scott Blecha, is going to have it tough this year. We've got three really talented kids and he's going to have to find a way to get them all enough reps and keep everyone happy.”

Wauconda will spread the wealth in the backfield between running backs Jacob Bicknase, Tyler Stankiewicz and Hendry Nevski.

“All of those guys are new to the backfield but they have the skills,” Mills said. “I think their lack of experience will go away real fast just because they are so talented. The three of them have a good combination of speed and power.”

Defensively, the Bulldogs will be led by senior linebacker Grant Rodgers, a three-year starter. He is one of four starters back at linebacker. The others include Cameron Kruse, Jeremy Hollander and Stankiewicz, who is also a three-year starter.

“I think our defense has jelled as much as it can at this point,” Mills said. “Experience will be our biggest strength.”