Royals' look to change under new coach
The Larkin football program will chart a new course under first-year coach Matt Gehrig.
Known the last three seasons for an aerial attack that rewrote the school record books with heavy doses of passing plays called by spread-offense advocate Dave Bierman, Larkin may take a different approach this season.
Though Gehrig played for Bierman in high school at Burlington Central and coached on his staff at Larkin, he brings a less extreme offensive philosophy to the table. Expect Larkin to surpass its 2007 total of 99 rushing attempts. By plenty.
"We'll be very balanced, as balanced as possible," Gehrig said. "I'd prefer to run the ball every play if I could."
Time will tell whether the Royals can push it down the field the old-fashioned way. But if they can eat up a bit of clock while gaining field position, a defense that was riddled last season for 3,590 yard in 9 games (399-yard avg.) might stand a better chance.
Last year's defense found itself on the field a lot, partly because it couldn't stop the run (2,524 yards rushing allowed), and partly because quarterback Cam Kinley and his quick-strike receivers often scored within 1-4 plays.
Inheriting the quarterback position is senior Jeff Saurbaugh (5-foot-10, 165 pounds), a backup last year to Kinley, who was named the honorary co-captain of the Daily Herald Fox Valley all-area team after throwing for 2,894 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Saurbaugh saw scant time at the position (3 attempts without a completion), but he is a solid, multisport athlete with a nose for the game.
"Jeff has a very good focus," Gehrig said. "He can throw it well when he sets himself. He'll be a solid leader for our team."
If the Royals indeed pound the ball more often this season, senior Brandon Cooks (5-11, 200) and junior Jalen Williams (5-8, 150) will be the running backs getting many of the calls. Cooks started last year at linebacker and Williams ran the ball at the sophomore level.
Larkin's prolific wide receiver trio of Nick Bee, Ryan Shriver and Jake Kane graduated, but speedy senior Justin Kalusa (6-0, 170), a center fielder in baseball, and senior Yousef Salem (5-11, 145) provide speed on the outside for Saurbaugh to target. Other receivers in the mix include juniors Jovan Bills (5-9, 150) and Reid Ellis ().
Success depends on open holes and time to throw from a mature if not completely veteran offensive line. Taylor Lantz (6-0, 300) can move people. Gavin Dillehay (5-8, 195) is a mobile lineman who can pull. Cam LaFerle (6-2, 255) has first-step speed and strength. Edir Nevarez (6-3, 270) saw time last year and seniors James Kapaun (5-11, 240), Doug Ingold (6-2, 240) and Matt Lind (5-9, 215) provide added depth.
The line's common denominator? All are seniors.
"The strength of the team is the fact we're a senior-led football team," Gehrig said. "Right now we're just becoming more consistent with our assignments every day. We keep improving on that, which will allow us to be sound on game day.
The defense will look to improve under the direction of new coordinator Adrian Barber and associate defensive coordinator Pat Murphy.
They'll count on Cooks, fellow returning senior linebackers Anthony Barracks (6-1, 195) and Zach Fluhler (5-11, 175) and junior Dominick Collins (6-2, 160) to stiffen the Larkin run defense. Senior Dominic Welch (6-0, 185) will also be in that mix. The wide receiver corps doubles as the secondary for the most part, so minimizing injuries will be important.
How well the senior-led Royals adjust to their roles and duties under a new coaching staff will be key to their success.
"Basically, we have to be sure of what our assignments are and do them as hard as we can," Gehrig said. "That pretty much sums us up."