Meadows takes aim at another postseason

Losing a large contingent of starters doesn't make Rolling Meadows feel as if it is starting over.

The plan is to reload and end up extending the third-longest playoff streak in Mid-Suburban League history to seven years.

"We've got a chance to be pretty good in the end," said Meadows coach Doug Millsaps.

And Millsaps and the Mustangs will take their chances with Division I prospect Jimmy Garoppolo returning for his third year as a varsity starter and second at quarterback.

"We're starting at the right spot at quarterback," Millsaps said.

But it will have to be more than a one-man show for Meadows. Senior Tony Taibi leads a core of receivers with a mix of speed and size for Garoppolo in the four- and five-wide sets.

Millsaps also said sophomore running back Garett Peterson reminds him of standout Andy Lange from the 2004 7A semifinalist.

"He's not Andy right now and he's now just getting the zone (blocking scheme)," Millsaps said. "But he has good speed, good toughness and the ability to make people miss."

Patrick Wiebe is the main returnee up front on offense and will be joined at times on the left side by returning defensive end Erick Louis-Charles. Returning defensive end Jordan Farnum and nose tackle Bubba Lockett give the Mustangs a solid front.

"Hopefully we can control the front with those three," Millsaps said. "Bubba is exactly what we like in a nose tackle."

Senior Dan Lowry has been on varsity since he was a sophomore and has the most experience at linebacker. He'll be joined inside by junior Colin Buscarini.

"He's got toughness and abilty and is a really nice-looking inside backer," Millsaps said. "We really like our outside guys (Sean Conner and Eddy Pekovic), too."

Cornerback John Sullivan is the only senior in the secondary. But sophomore Artie Checchin, who also starts at receiver, is their second-best athlete behind Garoppolo.

"Sometimes you're young and that's OK," Millsaps said. "When you're young and athletic you have a chance."

With a good shot to continue the Mustangs' postseason tradition.