Broncos' O-line has serious fun

What many consider a thankless job is hardly humorless drudgery for Barrington's offensive line.

Seniors Trevor Laue, Adam Sellner, Erik Zentner, Tyler Sinclair and Gus Handler have found a lot of laughs in a place that provides little glory.

"We have a lot of fun at practice every day and have our inside jokes," Sellner said of the camaraderie with Laue on the left side of the line.

"Sellner's the brainiac in AP (Advanced Placement) classes," Laue said. "I'm more of an average student so I bust his chops about knowing everything."

So there is definitely some grief directed toward Sellner when he says he wants to study computer science and math in college because he likes calculus. There are even more laughs when he responds "extremely well" to a question of how he's done in school, which is no joke with a weighted 3.7 grade point average and 32 ACT.

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Sinclair, who plays on the right side with Handler, takes a few shots for supervising preschool kids since he wants to get into education. Zentner isn't spared even though he's the new kid in town.

"We make fun of Erik's southern accent and the 'ya-alls,'" Sinclair said of the offseason move-in from Atlanta.

What also makes it so easy to have so much fun is the success the Broncos are having after a five-year run of playoff trips ended last year. Now they're back in the Class 8A state quarterfinals for the fourth time since 2003 and host unbeaten Maine South at 6 p.m. today.

And a group that averages 6-21/2, 256 pounds across has paved the way for running back Sam Ojuri and quarterback Cody Seeger to garner plenty of accolades in an offense averaging nearly 31 points a game.

"It's a great group of kids that's been a lot of fun to be around," Barrington coach Joe Sanchez said of the five guys he believes have set the team's attitude with their work ethic and leadership.

"They're five seniors who are selfless kids and that's what you want," said Broncos' veteran offensive line coach Steve Galovich. "They communicate well together and they like each other. They're smart and football smart."

Barrington had four-fifths of the puzzle pieces in place with Handler (6-4, 265) and Laue (6-4, 275) the anchors at the tackles.

Handler, who is a power-hitting outfielder in baseball with a 3.459 GPA, has also been a big hit with Division I football programs. He's closing in on 10 scholarship offers that include Air Force, Ball State, Colorado, North Carolina State and New Mexico.

Laue has a 2.7 GPA and just got his first offer from South Dakota.

Sinclair, who smiled and said "I'm still smarter" than Sellner with a 3.8 GPA, played tight end and was preparing to play center this year. Sellner (6-1, 250) didn't see any varsity time last year but worked his way into a starting role at guard.

Handler said he knew "even before the summer" they had the makings of a successful line. But there was still one more hole to fill.

That's when Zentner, who was born and raised for nearly 7 years in Dundee, entered the picture. He was a starting center at Chattahoochee High, which went 8-2 and made the Georgia playoffs last year, but had to move because of his father's job transfer.

"He comes in and fits in perfectly with them," Galovich said. "When he walked in I said, 'OK, he looks like a good offensive lineman.' At summer camp you could tell he was a good football player from the get-go."

Zentner fit in quickly with his new teammates.

"They're like my brothers," said Zentner, who has a 4.0 GPA and plans to return to the warmer southern climate for college. "They helped out right away and because of that I adapted so well. These guys are real good to me."

What worked out even better is Galovich could put everyone where he wanted and move Sinclair to guard. That was fine because all Sinclair and his returning teammates wanted was to restore the Broncos' tradition of success.

It hasn't been easy as Laue suffered a concussion in Week 2. Sinclair sat out last week's second-round win at New Trier as a precaution after suffering torn cartilage in his knee for the second time this season but will be on the field tonight.

Sellner didn't even play football until he came to Barrington and wanted to play defensive line when he was moved to the other side by freshman coach John Armstrong.

"I didn't like it at the time," Sellner said with a smile. "Obviously, now I love it."

Especially the fun they have with Thursday night dinners together. They would love to keep the fun and games going by knocking off one of the season-long state title favorites.

"It's really unique," Sinclair said. "These are the guys you see at school every day and guys you know you can go to war with.

"Playing the offensive line, especially, it's all about being selfless. It's not all about the glory, but we do have a pretty good offensive line."

No kidding.