Streamwood confident it has more than just King
Returning Streamwood senior running back Derrick King will still draw the focus of opposing defenses this season, but an improved supporting cast at the skill positions should blur opponents' focus a bit.
A couple of weeks into last season, King (6-2, 205), a standout track sprinter, moved from receiver to running back and rushed for 512 yards and 4 touchdowns on 125 carries (4.1 avg.).
Fourth-year coach Cal Cummins says an improved arsenal of offensive weapons with excellent speed should keep teams from concentrating on King alone.
"The nice thing about this year relative to last year is we think we have some people around him with nice speed who will make it difficult for people to put too much emphasis on Derrick," Cummins said. "He certainly has some athleticism at a high level. His speed is going to give us a little confidence as a team."
Cummins said senior fullback Wayne Holloway (5-11, 201) is far stronger and quicker than he was a year ago. He'll pair in the backfield with sophomore call up Alex Morrow (5-9, 176), a promising rusher possessing speed and strength expected to become a playmaker at the varsity level.
"There will be times all three will be on the field and Derrick will be more of a flanker," Cummins said. "Sometimes they'll be in a three-back set. It offers us a little versatility we maybe didn't have last year. And we have some wide receivers who are good athletes."
One of those receivers is junior Nick Pryor (5-9, 165). He played multiple positions as a sophomore. He'll be joined by another track sprinter, junior Steve Sandoval (5-9, 164), who played tailback on the sophomore team in 2008. Senior Matt Woods (6-0, 175) transferred to Streamwood from the successful but defunct football program at Driscoll and will see action at wideout. He can run, catch and play defense in the secondary, Cummins said.
The array of speed receivers and running backs should benefit not only King but sophomore quarterback Dalton Lundeen (6-0, 165).
The offensive line boasts overall improved size compared to recent seasons, including last year when the Sabres finished with a record of 1-8 overall, 1-6 in the Upstate Eight. Senior Edwin Rosario (6-0, 250) is a three-year starter and the most experienced member of the line. He'll be joined by Ben Ortiz (6-0, 235), who played quite a bit last year.
Defensively, Pryor and senior Vince Recinto (5-10, 182) are versatile enough to play in the secondary or at outside linebacker. Woods will play defensive back along with a rotating cast that includes Sandoval, Morrow and King in certain situations.
Senior Dan Rasinski (6-0, 192) is the lone returning starter on the defensive line. He'll be supported by senior linebacker Johnny Alcala (6-0, 208).
"I like the fact we have some speed," Cummins said. "That always helps you compete. I think the question mark for us is the line. We have decent size relative to other years. It's a question of whether we'll be consistent enough to compete there.
"But I feel good about some of the athletes we have this year. They've been few and far between recently, but now we've got a number of them from an offensive perspective. We can spread the field out. We have a potential threat at every position, which will help us. King has talent, but it's nice to have some other options around him."