This year, familiarity is an asset for St. Viator
In his first year at St. Viator, coach Dave Archibald saw his football team at a crossroads midway through the season.
The Lions were 2-2, coming off a tough loss to Benet. And with five solid conference opponents left, it was looking like it could be a lost season.
"We were still figuring out who we were and still did not know each other yet," Archibald said. "But even after a tough loss, when I went home I knew we were going to be all right."
Archibald made some moves in the lineup, which included a change at quarterback with Bryce Hellgeth moving into the starting spot. Archibald's feeling turned out to be correct, with the Lions winning their next three games and earning a state playoff bid.
In the playoffs, things continued to blossom when the Lions stunned Rockford Boylan in the opening round of the playoffs. But St. Viator's streak of never winning two playoff games in a season since the inception of the state playoff system in 1973 continued when it lost to Lake Forest 24-21.
"When Bryce took over, he did a solid job for us," Arhcibald said. "He took us on good streak for the rest on the season. That experience makes the team even more confident in him this year. He has great reads and comes with tons of knowledge. He has been under the lights and in pressure situations."
Hellgeth will have a pair of lengthy wide receivers to throw to. Matt Doersching and Ben Whalen, who are both at least 6-foot-3, should open up the throwing lanes. Kyle Pearce and Gawin Kennedy, who both played running back last year, are moving to the slot.
Senior Jack Scislowski, who is coming back from ACL surgery, and junior Elijah Black, will compete for the running back spot. Both are small, quick and powerful runners, which should give the Lions the speed and agility they need from that position.
The pair will have a solid offensive line to run behind.
The Lions return four seniors with starting or significant playing time under their belts. Joe Cleary (6-3, 240), Rocky Smeriglio (5-11, 210), Anthony Maraviglia (6-0, 280) and Joe Steineke (6-3, 285) will anchor the outsides of the offensive line while freshman Jeremiah Pittman (6-2, 240) will start at center.
The Lions will miss Cole Kmet, who is playing at Notre Dame. But Archibald said the team will have more depth offensively without him.
"We were always trying to figure out how to get Cole off the double teams," Archibald said. "We will have more balance in the offense in the offense this year and have other significant contributors."
On defense, the Lions return both starters at corner. Pearce and Christian Dolecki will be back. Bobby Ocho, who started at safety last year, will return midseason from an injury. Nate Peters and Kevin Murphy will start at safety.
The linebacking corps has very good size and agility. Casey Kmet, a junior, will start again along with the Jacob Wolf, who was a wrestling state qualifier. Niko Weder is in the middle along with Anthony Mesi.
At defensive end, Michael Wittich is getting some FCS looks and will key the defensive line. Casey Pulikowski, who is out for a few weeks, will also be a factor when he returns. Maraviglia, and Steineke and Cleary will also rotate in on the defense line along with Will Hanlon, Andrew Purk and Cole Burky.
"We want to keep our players as fresh and healthy as much as possible," Archibald said. "No one is full-time both ways. My hope is a full platoon team."