Hersey's working up a hunger for wins

A big preseason loss has not diminished Hersey's belief it can get back on the winning track.

Third-year varsity starter and Illinois State-bound Steve Nelson was expected to do a lot at quarterback (2,000 all-purpose yards, 10 TDs) and in the secondary. Those plans changed when he tore his ACL in the summer.

But Hersey still has big plans.

"Steve was a weapon but he wasn't the only weapon," said Hersey coach Mark Gunther. "He was a big part of the team but not the only part of the team.

"We have a lot of kids with skill, ability and pride to fill the loss as best we can."

Senior Brandon Klein, who would have been one of Nelson's top receiving target, takes over at quarterback. Klein has played the position for three years at different levels at Hersey.

"He has excellent feet and he can run (4.7 40) and throw," Gunther said.

But he won't be expected to do it all with junior running back Chris Polinski (400 yards, 3 TDs) and top returning receiver Tony O'Donnell. The key to the offense is a line which averages 250 pounds and has returning starters in guard Kevin Thomson (6-foot-4, 285) and tackles Tom Sutrinaitis (6-5, 250) and Dan Gregg (6-2, 255).

"We can do everything we wanted to do before (offensively) but it's a matter of the line blocking," Gunther said. "Now more than ever people have to guard more than one weapon."

Seven players return on defense with Grant Reed and Adam Wolotowsky leading the way up front. Jake Knauss is back at linebacker in the second year the Huskies are running the 3-5-3.

"He's really come into his own as a high school athlete and competitor," Gunther said. "He's a force and he just brings the hammer."

And senior John Mijal has improved his speed and strength and will start again in the secondary as the Huskies look to end a streak of four losing seasons.

"We could put a defense out there where everybody runs under a 5.0 40," Gunther said. "And nobody could be more hungry than we are."