Urban legend: Wauconda aims to air it out

A bit of Utah is coming to Wauconda.

Dave Mills came to Wauconda from Utah eight years ago when he was convinced to make the move by his good friend Glen Kozlowski, the former head coach at Wauconda.

Mills serveed as Kozlowski's defensive coordinator.

But when Kozlowski left Wauconda last winter for North Chicago and Mills was named his successor, Mills' thoughts shifted immediately to offense. And Utah.

"We're going to run a spread option offense this year that is influenced by what (current University of Florida coach) Urban Meyer ran when he used to coach Utah," Mills said. "It's still the big craze in Utah and we're going to run it here.

"If you don't want to cover us, we're going to throw it on you this year. And we have a quarterback with a great arm."

Mills, who had been a head coach at a high school in Utah and is enjoying revisiting that role, is referring to junior Brian Kent, a threat from every angle.

"Brian was the best rusher in our scrimmage," Mills said. "He's probably a cross between a halfback and a fullback. He's powerful, but shifty.

"The great thing about him is that he also has an arm. His favorite play is to go 30 or 40 yards down field. And he can get it there."

Kent will be aiming for receivers Jake Ziolowkowski and Brandon Dorsey. Both are tall and fast and make great targets.

"They're the best receivers we've had since I've been here," Mills said. "We need to get the ball to them."

Time should be on Kent's side. He'll be well protected by an offensive line that is Wauconda's biggest since Mills arrived from Utah.

Seniors Jesus Moreno and Cody Smith lead the way at 275 pounds and 255 pounds respectively.

"We have one kid on the line who is like 210 pounds," Mills said. "Everyone else is 240 pounds or above. That's a real big line for us."

The Bulldogs are also big on numbers with 53 players on the varsity roster, an increase of about eight from last season.

The added depth allows Wauconda to get even closer to its goal of running a true two-platoon system.

"I think we may have only three kids who will go both ways this year," Mills said. "That's really big. That's going to help us out a lot."

The return of senior Brandon Hauck will also help Wauconda's cause. He started at tight end last year but will now be the Bulldogs' fullback.

"He's just an angry runner," Mills said with a laugh. "Real powerful and strong. Exactly the kind of runner you want at fullback."

Defensively, Wauconda will be anchored by senior lineman Bradon Prate, who has already committed to Illinois State. Mills is also looking for big things out of linebacker Max Agrella.

WAUCONDA BULLDOGS

Coach: Dave Mills (1st season)

2008 record: 4-5

2008 playoffs: Did not qualify