Libertyville's quarterback, defensive end worth watching
Considering its Big Ten-bound, all-state quarterback is back, as well as the basketball-center-sized, athletic defensive end, Libertyville's football team can't hide.
Sorry, Coach.
"We're just trying to be on the down low. Which isn't easy to do," Wildcats coach Mike Jones said with a laugh. "We're trying to be humble and take it one week at a time."
Last year was so good for Libertyville that its season didn't end until a semifinal loss to Cary-Grove in the Class 7A state playoffs. It was the Wildcats' best season in 10 years, when they won state.
"I think we have the experience to make it work this year," returning all-conference and all-area offensive lineman Sean O'Malley said. "So many guys are coming back, not only on the offensive line. We have so many seniors and so many great guys. Even the juniors, I got to tip my hat to them - a ton of hard workers in that class. We're motivated to win state, but we're not getting ahead of ourselves."
The Wildcats finished just 3-3 in the North Suburban Lake Division last season, losing their regular-season finale to eventual Class 8A state champ Stevenson before reeling off three wins in the state playoffs. The guy who led the way offensively all season is back for his senior year, and don't expect Riley Lees to slow down.
The 6-foot senior committed to Northwestern in the spring. All he did last season was rush for 1,799 yards and 35 touchdowns, while throwing for 1,482 yards and 10 TDs.
"He's worked hard in the summer on his accuracy and decision-making," Jones said. "He's really improved tremendously."
The Wildcats relied heavily on Lees last year, and that will not change. They'll again run a spread and let one of the best athletes in the county do his thing.
"We're not going to put in a whole new offense, that's for sure," Jones said.
The offensive backfield includes another veteran in senior Noah Moderwell, as well as Anthony Campeau and Jason Tse. The line should be a strength again with the return of O'Malley, fellow 2014 all-NSC pick Walker Hare, Brad Deberry and Jon Evers. The other starting spot will be filled by either junior Tyler Jost (6-5, 270) or sophomore Charlie Schmidt (6-4, 255).
The wide receivers include seniors Cam Shaffer, Henry Schmidt (Charlie's brother) and Mike Yrigoyen, who Jones calls a "really talented athlete"who's back after not playing as a sophomore and junior.
Then there's the defense, which boasts Ben Kimpler.
A 6-6, 210-pounder who also excelled in basketball and baseball as a junior, Kimpler has committed to Miami (Ohio). He had 9.5 sacks in an all-area campaign last fall.
Kyle O'Malley (Sean's twin) moves from linebacker to defensive end. Ryan O'Malley (Sean and Kyle's baby brother) and fellow junior Skyler Blacker will play inside. Ryan Maher moves from safety to linebacker, while Riley Buncic and former tight end Hunter Reimers are also in the mix at linebacker.
Jack Neal and Anthony Tubek will man the cornerback spots for the second year in a row. Free safety Brian Murphy returns as well. Junior safety Nick Neumann started against Addison Trail in the playoffs last fall.
"We're very motivated to go to state and win it," Kyle O'Malley said. "Last year a big point of emphasis was 'One game more.' We fought so hard to make it to the state semifinals and we were let down (by losing to Cary-Grove). We have a chip on our shoulder. We want to go to state, win it and be the best in our conference. We don't want to lose to Stevenson anymore."