Scouting the Fenton Bison
Fenton now plays in a Metro Suburban Conference of a different color.
Since the 2015-16 athletic season the MSC renamed its divisions and switched a couple teams. The Blue Division - no longer the West - welcomed St. Edward. Aurora Central Catholic went to the Red.
That gives Fenton six 2015 playoff teams on its schedule.
The Bison return seven starters on defense and six on offense, most of them in so-called skill positions. If the lines develop around returners Angelo Duvall, Danny Lucas and Tyler Santagata, perhaps the Bison could reach Week 10 themselves.
"I think if our line play will continue to develop like I think it will, we can be a competitive team in a very competitive schedule that we have set for us this season," coach Mark Kos said.
The Bison graduated their top player from last season, Eric Lonergan, but Dylan Butts displayed similar toughness at running back and linebacker as a sophomore.
Kos likes the options available for his offset-I offense, including running backs Butts, Brian Jaramillo, Abel Rivera, Ivan Rodriguez and Greg Cazares; and receivers Santagata and Tony Cantarelli, who also kicked and punted for the Bison in 2015.
Two quarterbacks aim to improve upon last season's Bison total of 89 points, junior D.J. Kelly and sophomore Kyle Cacioppo. If the pocket-passing Cacioppo can move the chains, Kelly's athleticism will fit in nicely elsewhere.
Defensively, Fenton is off to a great start, returning its top three tacklers, Butts, Oliver Aguirre and Rodriguez. The Bison return three of four linebackers and all four in the secondary.
Kos said this group's accountability and communication are team strengths. That'll also help Fenton where it matters most.
"Any coach will tell you it starts up front," he said.
- Dave Oberhelman
The breakdown
Coach: Mark Kos (seventh year, 28-29).
2015 record: 2-7, 0-5, sixth in the Metro Suburban West.
Top players: Oliver Aguirre (LB, 5-11, 180, sr.), Dylan Butts (RB-LB, 6-2, 190, jr.), Greg Cazares (RB-LB, 5-7, 155, sr.), Brian Jaramillo (RB-LB, 5-11, 195, jr.), D.J. Kelly (QB-WR-DB, 5-6, 147, jr.), Carlos Mercado (WR-DB, 5-10, 185, jr.), Nick Mercado (WR-DB, 5-8, 155, sr.), Dominic Prunotto (WR-DB, 5-9, 160, sr.), Tyler Santagata (WR-DL, 6-1, 195, sr.), Kyle Cacioppo (QB, 5-11, 160, so.).
Schedule
Fri, 8/26, Fenton at Leyden, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/2, Shepard at Fenton, 7:15 p.m.
Sat, 9/10, Fenton at Guerin Prep, 1 p.m.
Fri, 9/16, Walther Christian at Fenton, 7:15 p.m.
Fri, 9/23, Glenbard South at Fenton, 7:15 p.m.
Fri, 9/30, St. Edward at Fenton, 7:15 p.m.
Fri, 10/7, Fenton at Riverside-Brookfield, 7:30 p.m.
Sat, 10/15, Fenton at Wheaton Academy, 1 p.m.
Fri, 10/21, IC Catholic Prep at Fenton, 7:15 p.m.
One to watch: Week 2
Fenton coach Mark Kos called Shepard "a great unknown," but it could set the stage for a fast start.