Preview: Waubonsie Valley
Four years ago when head coach Paul Murphy arrived at Waubonsie Valley, he set a lofty goal for the Class of 2009 - to compete for a state title as seniors.
While he hardly promises a championship, Murphy is convinced that after nearly doubling the varsity roster in his time, the term perennial power should apply.
"We're a big enough school, it shouldn't be a rebuilding year, it should be a reload," he said. Third-year quarterback Tyler Castro and defensive linemen Tom Lund and beastly Sherrod Stancil are the sole returning starters from a playoff team that earned its first Upstate Eight Conference title in a decade.
Let's generously add Indiana University-bound kicker Mitch Ewald, return man Perry Levin and long-snapper Ryan Yaeger. Receivers Mark Hilgers and Alex Stokowski shone brightly yet briefly.
A key to realizing Murphy's goal of a high scoring offense - which includes promising backs Tre Clark, Chris Harris and Kendrick Clayton and tight end Mark Szott - will be an all-new offensive line. The good news is that a year ago line that helped the junior varsity go 8-0, and was 7-2 as sophomores.
The second sticking point is rebuilding a defense, the best in the Upstate Eight last year, that lost its entire linebacking corps and secondary.
Sorry - not rebuilding. Reloading.
"There's a lot of positives because there's talent out there all over the place," Murphy said. "Now, will that talent mesh and get the job done under pressure? That's the $64,000 question."
Offense (Spread)
Pos. Name Ht./Wt. Yr.
QB Tyler Castro 6-2/200 Sr.*
RB Kendrick Crayton 5-9/175 Sr.
WR Mark Hilgers 5-10/175 Sr.
WR Alex Stokowski 6-2/190 Sr.
WR Scott Kuehn 5-10/165 Jr.
TE Mark Szott 6-1/185 So.
LT Jon Matekaitis 6-2/250 Sr.
LG Brett Hanson 5-11/225 Sr.
C Rudy Santarromana 5-9/175 Sr.
RG Mike Barnett 5-10/225 Jr.
RT Andrew Szott 6-2/240 Jr.
Defense (4-3)
Pos. Name Ht./Wt. Yr.
DE Tom Lund 6-2/225 Sr.*
DT Sherrod Stancil 6-0/240 Sr.*
DT Ian Retrigue 6-4/280 Sr.
DE Cory Connolly 6-3/210 Jr.
OLB Sean Lyons 5-9/165 Sr.
MLB Owen Saldana 6-1/215 So.
OLB Mike Lyons 5-9/160 Sr.
SS Jason Lockowitz 5-8/145 Jr.
FS Kevin Dugal 6-0/170 Sr.
CB Perry Levin 5-9/145 Sr.
CB Pat Wellman 5-8/150 Sr.