Fremd's Radis, Szafranski combine skill, smarts

When it comes to secondary education, the last line of the Fremd defense is blessed with a pair of high honor students.

Because there isn't much that gets past senior all-Mid-Suburban League safeties Jayme Szafranski and Cameron Radis.

"That's what 'Tucc' (head coach Mike Donatucci) always says and what 'Tucc' likes about us," Radis said with a smile of the intelligence the duo brings to the undefeated Class 8A state quarterfinalist's stingy defense.

"That definitely helps," Donatucci said, "when you've got kids who really understand what they're doing back there."

Radis and Szafranski will have to be at the top of their game mentally and physically for the Vikings (11-0) at 6 p.m. Saturday in Palatine. They'll be tested by Marist's diverse passing attack led by Western Michigan-bound Mike Perish.

"They haven't really seen a one-sided passing team this season so they're excited about the challenge," said Fremd defensive backs coach Bob Hanson of Perish, who has completed 67 percent of his passes for 2,717 yards and 31 touchdowns with only 7 interceptions.

Radis and Szafranski have provided a nice comfort zone in their second seasons as starters in a secondary bolstered by seniors Tom Carmody and Eric Shew and juniors Tyler Mundt and Michael Risher.

"We've all played together for a long time," said Radis, the Vikings' fourth-leading tackler at 44.

"Our secondary is best friends off the field," said Szafranski, who has 45 tackles and a team-high 5 interceptions. "Really our whole defense is, but especially our secondary."

The bond between Szafranski and Radis began when they played together before high school in the Palatine Amateur Football Assocation.

They were split up as freshmen when Szafranski played with the sophomore team. But they're now in their third consecutive season as a starting duo at safety.

"We know how to play together," Radis said.

"We've been doing this together for a long time and it's a lot of fun," Szafranski said.

Their ability to understand the intricacies of a complex scheme makes it even more enjoyable for Donatucci, Hanson and secondary coach Danny Davis. Hanson said last year Szafranski and Radis took pride in trying to one-up the other on who new more about the defense.

Radis is truly the epitome of the coach on the field.

"Cameron knows it all," Hanson said. "He even corrects us a couple of times and takes pride in knowing our defense.

"We're definitely confident with him making the calls. He calls everything and sees everything."

And Szafranski usually is making big things happen at crucial times with an interception, fumble recovery or stop.

He even played some linebacker and had the game-sealing interception in their closest call this year - a 21-20 victory over Rolling Meadows and Division I quarterback prospect Jimmy Garoppolo.

"He does whatever we ask him to do - whatever is going to get us wins," Hanson said. "Radis is the brains of the defense and Jayme really puts it into play and he executes our defense. It's a good mix between the both of them."

Szafranski has also played a prominent role offensively as Fremd's leading receiver with 30 catches for 399 yards.

His oldest brother David played football for a couple of years but his best sport was hockey and middle brother Jon was the goalkeeper for Fremd's 2005 team which finished fourth in the state in Class AA.

"I got kind of burned out with it," Jayme Szafranski said of soccer. "I could always tell football was something I was interested in so I switched in junior high."

Radis also started playing football in the sixth grade with a goal of eventually playing for the Fremd varsity. As a freshman he was in the same backfield with record-setting running back Evan Wright (2,128 yards, 27 touchdowns).

"I think he's good where he is and I'm better where I am," Radis said with a laugh.

A wise decision, which is no surprise considering Radis' 3.6 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and a 27 on the ACT. He's received small-school interest about continuing to play football. But he said he will probably focus on academics (studying business) and has already been accepted at Miami (Ohio).

Szafranski said he's talked with some Football Championship Subdivision schools (formerly Division I-AA) and plans to continue playing. He wants to get into teaching and coaching and has a 3.9 GPA with a 26 ACT.

But right now their concern is making sure they pass Saturday's big test from Perish and the Redhawks and help Fremd make its first semifinal trip.

"I'm sure we'll be ready for anything they throw at us," Radis said.