Preview: Addison Trail

The tone was set far too early in Addison Trail's disappointing 2007 football season when three starters suffered injuries in an opening-game loss.

A much different - and healthier - tone is critical for this year's team.

"If we stay healthy and improve every week, we'll be much more competitive," coach Paul Parpet said.

The cautious optimism starts with a dynamite double-wing backfield. Speedy and powerful Mike D'Ambrose rushed for 728 yards and 11 touchdowns in only six games, while junior Frank Cervantes is looking for a breakout campaign after getting hurt in last year's opener and missing the bulk of the season.

"We have a chance to be pretty good offensively," Parpet said. "If we're clicking with Frankie and Mike, we could really control the ball."

While you shouldn't expect to see the Blazers throwing a bunch, the threat remains with a pair of quarterbacks in Nick Kamide and junior Erik Janik.

As always with the Blazers, two-way players dictate the lineup. D'Ambrose and Kamide bring speed at linebacker. Keep an eye on standout junior Mike Colatorti as a returning starter and leader on both lines.

Five players could end up playing both ways, although the main concern comes with three two-way linemen. A young secondary needs to mature quickly against a tough schedule featuring Wheaton North, Glenbard West and Downers South.

One way or the other, once again the tone will be set early for Addison Trail.

"Defensively we'll have to learn on the fly," Parpet said. "We'll be the same type of team, but we should be better on that side of the ball because we'll have more speed."