Knights aim to be kings

Posted August 24, 2009 11:00 pm

By Marty Maciaszek

A five-team race seems to be the consensus for Mid-Suburban East football this year.

For second place behind defending champion Prospect.

"Knowing what they brought back and talking to other people, their offense is just going to be a ton," said Wheeling coach Dave Dunbar. "Brent (head coach Pearlman) just coaches those guys up.

"I think the rest of us - we'll all be right there. Right now I look at us all in the same place."

The Knights will be going for their sixth East title since 2001 with senior quarterback Miles Osei leading their high-powered offense. The Division I prospect has plenty of weapons at his disposal with receiver John Coen, who missed the final two-thirds of last season with a shoulder injury, and running-receiving threat in Peter Bonahoom.

Two keys for the Knights to go beyond last year's Class 7A first round figure to be an improved defense and the hope of solid tests in the East.

"Every team benefits when the division is tough," Pearlman said.

Rolling Meadows and Division I quarterback prospect Jimmy Garoppolo hope to be playing for the East title in the regular-season finale at Prospect. Senior linemen Erick Louis-Charles and Jordan Farnum lead a young defense.

"I can't imagine us not being in that No. 2 spot," said Meadows coach Doug Millsaps. "I don't see why we wouldn't be. As long as we stay healthy we've got a chance to be pretty good."

Elk Grove hopes to be in line for a top-three finish for first-year coach Brian Doll. Junior quarterback-safety Nick Meyer returns and is joined by a talented group of classmates and senior receiver-defensive back Matt McEnery and linebacker-tight end Kyle Pfister hope to end a four-year playoff drought.

Buffalo Grove is looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2003 as a talented group of skill kids in Kevin Mulligan, Mike Cornely and John Angotti are joined by junior quarterback Mike Garrity.

"Other than Prospect, I think the race for the East is as even as it could be," said BG coach Jim Farrell. "I think our chances of finishing in the top half are pretty good."

Wheeling suffered some big talent losses from teams that made consecutive playoff trips for the first time. But running back Weston Ross is one of the MSL's best athletes and there is experience up front led by Tim Schalz.

Hersey was hit with one of the biggest off-season losses when Illinois State-bound quarterback-defensive back Steve Nelson suffered a torn ACL in late June. But there is plenty of experience and size up front in Kevin Thomson, Dan Gregg and Tom Sutrinaitis for speedy junior running back Chris Polinski.

"Even though they lost Nelson, when you get those seniors something happens," Dunbar said.

2008 standings Conf. All Prospect 5-0 7-3 Wheeling 4-1 6-4 Meadows 3-2 5-5 Buffalo Grove 1-4 3-6 Elk Grove 1-4 2-7 Hersey 1-4 1-8 2009 predicted order of finish: 1. Prospect, 2. Rolling Meadows, 3. Elk Grove, 4. Buffalo Grove, 5. Hersey, 6. Wheeling.

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.