Seniors still the key for always-strong Stevenson
Bill Mitz is not pulling a Brett Favre.
Stevenson's venerable football coach isn't saying he's retiring and then changing his mind. He's just not saying.
So despite persistent rumors that Mitz will step down following this season, nothing is official.
This might be his 28th and final season. It might not.
"Let (people) think what they want," Mitz said.
What people think is that Stevenson will be - surprise - strong again. That one almost is guaranteed, considering the Patriots will be seeking their 21st consecutive season of postseason football.
"We're a very senior-heavy team," Mitz said.
Maybe the biggest senior to watch is big fullback Mark Weisman, a returning all-conference and all-player player. The 6-foot, 230-pound Weisman committed to Air Force this summer after rushing for 1,149 yards (6.3 per carry) in his second year on varsity last season.
"He's big, fast and physical," Mitz said.
The Patriots' offense also returns 6-3 senior wide receiver Nate Johnson (22 receptions last season) and 6-2, 215-pound running back Matt Harris. The line graduated big Ben Samson (Western Michigan) but boasts veteran big guys Michael Crowley (6-3, 250) and Justin Fauntleroy (6-5, 260). Crowley started as a sophomore last year.
Kevin Earl, a 6-5 junior, takes over at quarterback. He's the brother of former Patriots QB Preston Earl and son of former Chicago Bear Robin Earl.
While Michael Bilton (Drake) graduated after catching 41 passes last year, Earl will have ample wide-receiver targets, including Johnson and fellow seniors Alex Daar and Bret Kraiman. The speedy Kraiman (5-10, 165), who also figures to return kickoffs and punts, could be an impact player after being injured last season.
Mitz likes his team's offensive potential.
"We've got the ability to run the ball not only when we hand it off, but also when we catch it," he said.
Weisman will start on defense, too, occupying an outside-linebacker spot. Middle linebacker Brion Wood is another Patriot who started as a sophomore last year. The defensive veterans also include Crowley and secondary ball hawks Erick King (son of former Chicago Bull Stacey King) and Evan Masters.
The Patriots are coming off a second straight 5-5 season. They're looking for a more consistent effort. Stevenson opens tonight with a 7 p.m. road game against Highland Park at Wolters Field.
"The biggest thing this year is that we need to finish things off," Mitz said. "Hopefully the kids have worked hard in the weight room. We've got to play four full quarters. We didn't always do that last year, and that was very disturbing."