Prospects look bright for Knights

Prospect is looking for shutouts instead of shootouts.

The Knights again figure to have no trouble lighting up scoreboards with quarterback Miles Osei in control of their five wide receiver attack.

But the defending Mid-Suburban East champions also know what figures need to improve to do more than last year's Class 7A first-round postseason exit.

"We need to stop somebody," said Prospect coach Brent Pearlman. "Our defense has come a long way in the summer. We're not there yet but it's similar to 2005 (third 7A state title) where we're extremely young and getting better every practice and we like our personnel.

"There isn't a spot on defense where we feel like we're plugging a guy in."

Adam Palczewski (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) is the only senior in the front four but sophomore Austin Tixier (6-3, 225) figures to make an impact.

Some of the Knights' top offensive threats hope to also keep points off the board with Peter Bonahoom, Joe Mack and Grant DePalma at linebacker and John Coen, Ryan Ward and Sean Baltowski in the secondary.

"Those are all athletes and kids who can do a lot of good things," Pearlman said.

And the offense expects to do spectacular things again with Osei leading the way. Coen returns after missing most of the season with a shoulder injury.

Bonahoom is also a running and receiving threat and Steve Dazzo, DePalma, Mack, Ward and Baltowski add to the wealth of skill-position riches.

"I would guess we won't ever have a group like this at the skill positions for the rest of my career," Pearlman said. "Based on the individual talent and chemistry, it's an extraordinary group."

The line is also experienced and gets a boost with senior tackle Matt Huene (6-6, 240), who was out last season with a knee injury.

Even the special teams are taken care of with Coen kicking and Bonahoom punting.

"Those were the two things I was most worried about and we solved those," Pearlman said, "better than I could have ever hoped for."