Scouting the Glenbard North Panthers
Every defense facing Glenbard North this season knows it'll get a steady dose of running back Evin Natick.
The trick will be stopping him.
The Panthers' all-DuPage Valley Conference and All-Area back returns after rushing for 1,256 yards and 15 touchdowns despite missing time due to injury last season. The silver lining of that injury, though, was that it allowed junior Phil Jackson to step up with 407 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns.
That running tandem, combined with the return of third-year starting lineman Paul Wisniewski, has Glenbard North primed for another year of pounding the ball on the ground. The Panthers' strength over the last several years could be even stronger.
"It's definitely a run-first offense," said Panthers coach Ryan Wilkens. "Nothing's going to change there."
The other side of the story is that only one starter - third-year defensive lineman Alex Wynn - returns beyond Natick, Jackson and Wisniewski.
Eighteen starters graduated from last year's Class 8A semifinalist squad, and the defense figures to be most affected. Dominant on every inch of the field last year, Glenbard North must rebuild.
The process begins with linebacker Joe Williams and lineman Brandon Clark. To deepen the defense, expect to see Natick and Jackson at linebacker.
"Last year we had some great linebackers and defensive linemen," Wilkens said. "We're not very deep this year and we don't have much experience on that side of the ball."
The offense must rebuild as well. Wisniewski is the lone experienced lineman, although it's a big line at an average of 260 pounds a player. The Panthers also have a new quarterback in Mark Ng.
It'll be a process, but if the pieces come together the Panthers will gear up for their eighth straight playoff appearance and another deep run.
"We have some work to do at certain positions," Wilkens said. "But there's some talent with this group."
The breakdown
Coach: Ryan Wilkens (sixth year, 37-20).
2009 record: 11-2, 6-1, second in DuPage Valley Conference.
Top players: Evin Natick (RB-LB, 5-8, 190, sr.); Paul Wisniewski (OL, 6-4, 290, sr.); Alex Wynn (DL, 6-2, 260, sr.); Phil Jackson (RB-LB, 5-11, 200, jr.); Aaron Smith (DB, 5-10, 170, sr.); Pat DeCicco (DB, 6-0, 190, sr.); Mark Ng (QB, 5-8, 160, sr.); Joe Williams (LB, 5-9, 180, sr.); Brandon Clark (DL, 6-3, 225, sr.); Cody Burandt (OL, 6-2, 285, jr.); Dan McHale (OL, 6-2, 290, jr.); Alex Smith (FB-TE, 6-3, 235, sr.); Tremel Smith (WR-DB, 5-10, 160, jr.); Tyler Knudsen (LB, 5-11, 215, sr.); Devin Harkins (RB-WR, 5-10, 180, sr.).