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Senior solidarity a big plus for Round Lake

While not more prominent than the nearly two dozen seniors wearing gold jerseys on Round Lake's practice football field, an adjacent hill catches the attention of head coach Cristo Garza.

"I could tell them, 'Run up that hill on your hands,' and they'd be, 'OK,' " Garza said of his Panthers. "They have bought into Coach Garza's message. When you talk to them, there's a confidence with substance behind it this year."

It's tough to gain confidence when success on the field has been sparse. This is Garza's third season running the football team of his alma mater, and while the Panthers needed a Week-9 win last season to match their 1 win from the previous year, confidence is growing.

"It's a whole new vibe (from freshman year to now)," said linebacker/wide receiver Brett Kneeland, a three-year varsity player. "We're more of a team. These are my brothers. We love each other."

Kneeland (5-9, 210), offensive guard/defensive end Lucas Hollingsworth (6-4, 215), quarterback Alex Larson (5-10, 150), running back/linebacker Anthony Tellez (6-0, 215) and offensive guard/defensive tackle Ethan Gomez (6-0, 245) all have been in the program since freshman year. They are among 23 seniors, all of whom wear gold jerseys in practice.

"Because of these gold shirts, these 23 kids that we've put through the wringer, they have closed the gap," Garza said. "And hopefully this year on the field is going to show it. I have no doubt that when they're done, we'll say this is the best Round Lake team since Coach Garza has been here."

Larson took over at QB last season after Tabieas Young got hurt in Week 2. When Young came back, Garza still rotated Larson in.

"The things he does best are all these in-routes and sprint-outs," Garza said. "To see him progress from where he was last year, it's like he's a different guy."

"He has good accuracy," Tellez said of Larson. "He's not scared."

Larson is a more confident quarterback, especially with varsity experience under his belt.

"I think the biggest difference (from last year) is the fact that I'm here every day working with my quarterback coach," Larson said of assistant coach Steve Bell. "Coach Bell is doing a great job with me, teaching me a lot. We're just going to work game to game."

Tellez, another three-year varsity player, should be the Panthers' featured back. Kelvin Cruz (6-4, 280) played more defense than offense last year, but this year the senior could anchor the O-line.

"Our strength this year is going to be the offensive line," Garza said. "That's the first time in three years."

The Panthers open their season with a Saturday matinee at Proviso East, which went winless last year, before hosting Amundsen (6-3 in 2016) the following weekend. Then it's back-to-back games to start Northern Lake County Conference action against North Chicago and Grayslake Central. The latter two opponents won a combined four games last year.

"When you're turning things around and building a culture, nothing helps you more than a good start," Garza said. "Nothing against the teams we're playing, but we're opening with teams that we feel we're right there with."

When Alan Espinosa scored on a two-point conversion, following the lead block of fellow senior Alex Valladares last fall, Round Lake had upset Grant and secured its first win of the season. Ten months later, the Panthers haven't forgotten that feeling of winning.

"We know we have the team now to do it," Hollingsworth said. "I think this team has worked harder because of that (win). We have more of a winning attitude because of the way we went out last year."

Neither the players nor the coaches are taking anything for granted. The Panthers are still learning about what it takes to win consistently.

"Trusting the process (is the key to a good start)," Gomez said. "I think we were trying to get that across last year, but I don't think all of us did. I think the group that we have here is starting to get that. We're all believing the process now."

"Trusting your teammates is the biggest part," Hollingsworth said. "I think this group here all trusts each other. We've been together for four years now. We think that we can do something, and we're going to put our minds to it and do it."

If so, if the Panthers and their gold-jersey-wearing seniors can take a significant step, they might consider that gold.

"When I got here two years ago, we had to put all of these pieces together," Garza said. "We had to build this. We had to fix that. Now, we're coaching. Now, we're moving forward."

  Lucas Hollingsworth works on the blocking sled during football practice at Round Lake High School. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Head coach Cristo Garza talks to his players during football practice at Round Lake High School. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Head coach Cristo Garza leads his players during football practice at Round Lake High School. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Linemen take a water break during football practice at Round Lake High School. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Quarterback Alex Larson runs through a play during football practice at Round Lake High School. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Head coach Cristo Garza works out lineman during football practice at Round Lake High School. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Quarterback Alex Larson throws during football practice at Round Lake High School. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Linebacker Brett Kneeland, left, runs through a play during football practice at Round Lake High School. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Running back Anthony Tellez runs with the ball during football practice at Round Lake High School. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Lucas Hollingsworth, right, blocks during football practice at Round Lake High School. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
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