New coaches bring new enthusiam to Fox Valley

One practice under his belt and new Larkin football coach Mike Scianna's voice was already shot.

"I don't think I was yelling at kids; I was yelling at coaches," said a smiling Scianna, a Streamwood graduate who in April was tabbed as the sixth coach in Larkin's 47-year history. "Great first day. We're all learning our roles, who's the good cop and bad cop and that kind of deal.

"But it's been a lot of fun so far. You can tell because I'm already hoarse."

Previously an assistant at Glenbard North, Montini, Rolling Meadows, Benedictine University and Larkin, Scianna directed his first practice as a varsity head coach Wednesday, the first day football teams throughout Illinois could begin gearing up for the Aug. 27 kickoff.

The new coach liked what he saw from his roster of 40, a 25-percent increase in participation over last season.

"We've got good numbers out and we're having some fun," Scianna said. "I'm a little worried about the numbers on the sophomore level, but we're going to make it work. We've got 40 freshmen and we're shooting for 100 in the system overall. We haven't hit that number in a long time. Things are definitely going in the right direction."

The Royals adjusted to Scianna's new systems during summer camp workouts, four a week from June through late July. Junior quarterback Kyle Newquist, a second-year starter, said he was excited to hit the practice field despite the 90-degree afternoon heat compounded by humidity.

"The weather's a little hot, but the breeze isn't bad," Newquist said between double sessions. "I'm more comfortable back there this year. I know what's going on. A year of experience helps. It's completely new systems and a little more yelling this year, I guess you could say, but I think it's going good."

And that's the beauty of the opening day of football practice: "it's going good" for every team in the Fox Valley area. Hopes for a good season are higher than thermometer readings on Day 1.

­In Cary, the defending Class 6A champions began working toward what they hope will be a seventh straight Fox Valley Conference title. In Algonquin, Illinois Football Coaches Association hall of famer Bill Mitz directed practice at Jacobs, which seeks to improve upon its five playoff appearances in 35 seasons. In Bartlett, the Hawks began work to return to the playoffs after missing the postseason in 2009 for the first time in nine years. And in Hampshire, the Whip-Purs commenced preparations for their final dance through the Big Northern Conference before they switch to the Fox Valley Conference in 2011-12.

In Elgin, St. Edward began tuneups for a season it hopes will yield a second straight playoff appearance. Like most teams these days, the Green Wave didn't start from scratch. Every summer camp practice was attended by every member of the varsity for the first time since Mike Rolando took over as coach in 2005.

"Today was like we took ten days off after camp and hit the ground running where we left off," said Rolando, whose team practiced at the Elgin Sports Complex from 4-8:30 p.m. "We feel like we're in a pretty good place for the first day of doubles. For the whole team to be at every single summer practice means a lot and it's put us in a good place."

In Huntley, former Larkin coach Matt Gehrig oversaw his first August practice as coach of the Red Raiders, a team coming off consecutive playoff seasons.

"The feeling is really just one of pure excitement," said Gehrig, clad in bright red, which he called his favorite color. "We had a really good first day, I think. All of our guys are really prepared for the season. They really put in a lot of consistent hard work throughout the summer program, and I think they were really anticipating getting out here to start the official practice sessions and have it be the real thing.

"You could sense the enthusiasm and there was an energy about the kids when they lined up to warm up today. They pushed through a pretty intense practice."

Huntley players began their day with a morning classroom session that featured film from the final day of summer camp. The Red Raiders hit the practice field in shorts and helmets between 1-3:30 p.m.

"It feels good getting out here finally," second-year quarterback Tim Lycos said at the conclusion of the afternoon session. "The hot weather's tough, but it feels good. At least we're not in pads right now." That comes Monday.

In the Huntley parking lot after practice, offensive tackle Addison Erb relaxed on the bed of his pickup truck, sipping a red sports drink to rehydrate. Linemen can't get enough electrolytes.

"We're working hard," said Erb, a 6-foot-3, 260-pound senior. "Being a biggun - that's the most hard work, I think. Growing up being a lineman, you're in the trenches all day, sweating all day. It's a lot of fun, though. That's why I chose to be a lineman. I love pushing people around. It's hard work, but that's what I love."

Erb said the Red Raiders have taken quickly to their new leader.

"Coach Gehrig definitely brought a sense of urgency to the program," he said. "In the weight room, even in films he brings it. It's a really good feeling. It gets us motivated and now we're all jacked up for practices all the time."