Fremd focuses on true blue

Blue may be Fremd's unofficial primary color this year.

Part of that comes from what coach Mike Donatucci believes is a relatively starless cast of characters.

And part of that comes from the character he's seen develop in a team looking to extend its Mid-Suburban League record streak of playoff trips to 15 and break the record of successive outright or shared division titles of six it shares with Hersey (1971-76).

"We've really challenged them and hopefully that will be their strength," said Donatucci, who became the winningest coach in MSL history at 116 last fall. "This was a group (we could work hard) because there aren't any stars and there are no egos on this team.

"They like hard work and like being pushed and they know how to support each other when they're being pushed. They're very blue-collar in a good way."

So it figures Fremd may get its biggest push up front with Notre Dame-bound tackle Christian Lombard (6-foot-5, 290 pounds) and juniors Brian Bobek (6-2, 240) at center, Jack Konopka at tight end (6-4, 235) and Max Moss (6-3, 300) at guard.

That should provide enough room for one of the fastest and most dangerous threats in the MSL in senior Evan Wright.

"We'll be able to run the ball," Donatucci said.

Junior Richard Concialdi takes over at quarterback as Zenon Kolakowski, who saw reps there last year and also played receiver, opted to focus on baseball.

Donatucci likes what he's seen out of Concialdi in his work with former Palatine head coach and first-year assistant Joe Petricca.

"He doesn't flinch," Donatucci said. "We've found ways to pressure him and found ways to get on him and he bounces back.

"He isn't a great runner and he isn't a great passer but he just gets the job done."

The strength of what traditionally is one of the MSL's top defenses is in the return of safeties James Szafranski and Cameron Radis and cornerback Eric Shew.

"They're not your typical fireball guys," Donatucci said of his athletic defense. "They're cerebral and smart kids and they pick things up very well."

Which has Fremd expecting to pick up where it's been leaving off year after year.