Tough early schedule will challenge Bartlett
High school football remains as popular as ever in Bartlett.
Thirteenth-year coach Tom Meaney and his veteran staff will field a 73-player varsity, led by a program-record 50 seniors.
The group includes several third-year varsity performers, including offensive lineman Kyle Sanft, running back Nolan Bernat, 6-foot-5, 220-pound tight end Jason Hasenberg, middle linebacker Mike Bucaro and outside linebacker Dan Andreucetti.
Do the Hawks have enough talent to make a return to the state playoffs after failing to qualify in consecutive years for the first time in program history?
"We have some depth. We just have to put it together," Meaney said. "We have a little bit of speed but we're not very big. This team has to pay attention to film, make fewer mistakes and be prepared."
Bartlett aims for improved offensive production. Though the 2014 squad averaged 315 yards per game, it struggled in the red zone, particularly early in the season when the unit managed 31 points in its first 4 games.
The offensive line is anchored by Sanft, a 6-foot-3, 285-pound senior tackle committed to Western Illinois. He was credited with 71 pancake blocks as a junior and will again play on both sides of the ball.
Unfortunately, the Hawks lost a quality offensive lineman early in the summer when left guard Ricky Foster (6-foot-2, 230 pounds) suffered a torn ACL at a college camp. Tom Kirchhoff (5-10, 220) is expected to fill his spot with David Snyder (6-1, 285) and Joe Hansen (6-1, 215) in the mix at right guard.
Junior Erik Cook (5-11, 260) and senior Zack Yurik (6-1, 235) are vying for the starting nod at center, while senior David Golaszewski (6-1, 220) and Dru Gonzales (5-11, 220) compete for time at right tackle.
Those linemen hope to pave the way for a balanced attack, featuring Bernat and senior quarterback Brenner Wallace. Bernat rushed for 844 yards and 5 touchdowns on 178 carries last year and made 10 catches for 135 yards.
Wallace stepped into a starting role midway through the season and completed 91 of 160 attempts (57 percent) for 1,132 yards and 10 touchdowns. A mobile quarterback who can also run the option, he was intercepted 8 times as a junior.
Leadership runs in the Wallace bloodline; Brenner is the son of Bartlett Mayor Kevin Wallace.
"He's a good leader with a strong, accurate arm," Meaney said. "Now we just have to make sure our guys are catching the ball."
Among the players Wallace will target is Hasenberg. The senior had 6 catches for 75 yards in an injury-shortened 2014 season. Ben Johnson (6-2, 195), an effective blocker, sets up opposite Hasenberg in double-tight formations. The receiving corps is otherwise untested at the varsity level.
Defensively, Bucaro (6-0, 175) calls the plays for a defense that has improved the way it disguises and rotates coverages, according to Meaney. Bucaro and Andreucetti (2 interceptions) will be flanked at linebacker by either Zach Hayes (5-8, 170) or Jake Frankenthor (5-11, 180).
Sanft (41 tackles, 2 sacks) and Kirchhoff will start on the defensive line.
The secondary returns all-UEC cornerback Cameron Mays (5-11, 165). The multisport athlete snared a team-best 5 interceptions as a junior. Bernat lends his speed to the secondary at free safety.
The Hawks must hit the ground running against a front-loaded schedule that includes Conant, St. Charles North, West Aurora, South Elgin and Neuqua Valley, which combined to win 27 games in 2014. Bartlett's final four opponents - East Aurora, West Chicago, Streamwood and Glenbard East - won 9 games combined.
"We're top heavy right off the bat," Meaney said. "If we come together quickly and don't turn the ball over and make some scores early, we'll be happy. Hopefully, we can mix it up and keep it balanced."