Sabres attempt to turn corner
Practicing football was an exercise in frustration two years ago at Streamwood.
The Sabres rarely scrimmaged. There simply weren't enough quality players to make it viable.
When they did attempt to scrimmage, first-year coach Cal Cummins would have to decide which of his two-way starters would play on either side of the ball to make the teams fair enough for work to get accomplished.
The defense and the offense rarely practiced together as a unit. If the first-team offense or defense did drill as a group, they did so against a well-meaning but unqualified scout team that didn't exactly test the starters.
Flash forward to this preseason. A varsity 42 strong took to Millennium Field last week and had at each other under game conditions with officials on hand, the kind of heretofore impossible simulation that should help the 2008 Sabres make strides after back-to-back 1-8 seasons.
"The nice things is we've got enough numbers this year, particularly on the line" said third-year Streamwood coach Cal Cummins, who led Freeport to the playoffs 10 times in 17 seasons. "We've got some nice competition, so I hope it's going to improve us."
The roster isn't just larger; it's stronger. This group is the first to fully buy into Cummins' off-season strength and conditioning program en masse. Better than 80 percent of the varsity achieved its participation goals. Two off-seasons ago 12 Sabres participated. That improved depth and strength will be key along the lines because a few players will likely see action both ways.
On the offensive front, Streamwood returns senior tight end Fenton Brislen (5-foot-11, 178 pounds), senior strongside tackle Brian Wacht (6-1, 255), center Patrick Guindon (5-11, 195), weakside guard Luke McArthur (5-8, 189) and junior Edwin Rosario (5-11, 231), who was brought up last year.
If that line can hold, the Sabres' outside speed at receiver could inflict some damage. Returning at wideout are seniors Tem Esikiel (5-11, 176) and Derrick King (6-2, 197).
Esikiel, a two-time all-area basketball selection, is an excellent leaper with great hands. King missed most of last season with a broken leg suffered in Week 1, when he was tackled crossing the goal line on 40-yard scoring play that started as a screen.
Throwing to both will be senior quarterback Noel Rivera (5-11, 185). He was the starter last season until Week 2, when his foot was rolled up on and broken. Cummins said his quarterback has been seeing the field better and making better reads in practice in preseason.
If King gets his hands on the ball, he can make things happen after the catch.
"You don't find too many 6-foot-2 players with strength who can run," Cummins said. "Hands down he's the fastest kid on our team. He has some speed.
"I had some speed at Freeport when we were having some success, players that went on to play ball at the D-I level. He would not have been out of place there. It's just a matter of him continuing to work and staying focused."
Focus shouldn't be a problem.
"I just want us to have a winning record and go into the playoffs," King said. That's the goal: to make the playoffs and show what Streamwood can do."
King and Esikiel will also play in the defensive secondary along with hard-nosed junior Joey Hanover (5-8, 160), who started at quarterback last year when Rivera went down. Senior Randy Reyes (5-9, 155) returns at safety, Brislen at linebacker and senior Jim Kaltinger (6-1, 181) at line/linebacker.
A player to watch is senior lineman Chad McMahon, a former home-schooled student who has always lifted weights. Cummins said McMahon could be a real sleeper in the trenches due to his physical toughness.
Color the Sabres cautiously optimistic about having a better season as they head into tonight's season opener at Crystal Lake Central.
"(Better practices) have really upgraded the learning curve for us," Cummins said. "Now it's just a matter of can we get to where we need to be."