Maine West aims to take another couple steps forward

During his first three years as head coach, Jason Kradman and Maine West made incremental steps to improve.

In that span, the Warriors have gone from 2-7 to 4-5 last year, improving their record by one game each year.

But the Warriors are not looking for that same incremental gain this year. Rather, they feel they can make a huge jump and earn their first playoff appearance since 2002.

"This is the best team since we have been here," Kradman said. "We are really excited."

Kradman had to replace 28 seniors from last year's team. He said this year's team is much younger, yet very athletic. Kradman expects to start 6-7 sophomores and 1 freshman.

"We are really young actually," Kradman said. "But we are tremendously athletic compared to any team in the past."

While there may be a youth movement at other positions, it will be a senior at quarterback for the Warriors. George Markakis, who started last year at the beginning of the season before injuries slowed him, returns.

"His football has improved tremendously," Kradman said. "And he has added 20 pounds. He has looked real good this summer."

Markakis will have one of the top tight ends in the area to throw to in Matt Kentgen. A three-year starter, Kentgen is very athletic 6-foot-4. Ely Grimmer will also play tight end.

Landen Habler will play the slot while Matt Litas, Matt Jordan, Rafael Ynocencio and DaMon Street will also contribute.

At running back, it will be by committee with Jake Bellizzi and Walter Hutt getting most of the carries. Fullback Sam Corey will also be a factor.

Only one senior starter returns to the offensive line, and that's Julian Bahena (5-7, 210). He will be joined by Costa Pashos, who started last year as a sophomore. Danny Daood (6-4, 220), Lindon Ujkashi, Amir Babisch and Eric Dankowski will also figure in at times.

Defensively, it will be youth movement for the Warriors, who figure to start just four seniors along with a freshman.

Hutt, Dankowski, Devan Tucker, Nestor O'Brien and Isiah Siem-Davis will be playing up front for the Warriors.

Bellizzi will bounce from running back to middle linebacker for the Warriors. He will be joined by junior Krystian Garbicz and freshman Josh Schacke (6-0, 200).

Litas, an all-conference choice last season, is back to key the secondary. Grimmer, Jared Dolphin, Dakota Sampson and David Jackson will look to shut down their opponent's passing game.

Kradman isn't overly concerned about the youth on his defense.

"Even some of the guys who aren't seniors have some experience," Kradman said. "We should be able to rally to the ball and have a lot more team speed on defense."

Kradman feels his team should be in the mx for the Central Suburban North title this season.

"It is somewhat of a tossup in the conference," Kradman said. "It looks like many of the teams graduated their top players. Our goal is to win the conference and I don't think that is inconceivable."