Balanced Schaumburg ahead of schedule
There is a nice balance of returning starting power for Schaumburg.
Just about every phase of the game has someone with the experience to know what it will take for the Saxons to win their first Mid-Suburban West football title since 2000 and make a third straight playoff appearance.
"The balance of experience has, over the course of the summer, really accelerated the pace of development of the rest of the team," said Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling. "The juniors are far ahead of where you might think they would be."
And Schaumburg has the ability to be balanced offensively with the return of all-area running back Shepard Little, who missed last year for disciplinary reasons, to go with senior quarterback Mark Iannotti. Little rushed for 1,610 yards and 16 TDs in an all-area sophomore season.
Iannotti senior passed for 1,201 yards and 11 TDs with 9 INTs and rushed for 591 yards and 7 TDs.
"The game has really slowed down for him because of the experience he gained last year," Stilling said. "We just need him to be consistent."
Kyle Pollock, Jon Moore and Nick Nykaza return up front. The one area without much experience is receiver.
Joe Zolper returns up front on defense after starting at outside linebacker. At 5-feet-10, 187 pounds, he won't put fear into some of the West's big boys up front until they seem him in action.
"I'm guessing he's the smallest defensive lineman in the MSL but he's so disruptive," Stilling said. "He plays so incredibly hard. He'll be tough."
Senior Pat Felde moves from outside linebacker to defensive end and sophomore Lee Duhs (6-3, 328) could give the Saxons a needed size boost.
Junior Josh Marchok is looking for another strong year at middle linebacker and Dru Richardson moves from cornerback to outside linebacker.
Kevin Hilliard and Eric Carlson are at the corners with hard-hitting Bobby Quilico returning at safety. The other safety is senior Johnny Kirk, who hasn't played since he suffered a broken collarbone trying to tackle Little in the eighth grade.
"He's been one of our best workers and the biggest surprise of our summer." Stilling said. "You would never know watching him this is his first year of high school football. I expect him to be a difference-maker."
Saxons at a glance
Coach: Mark Stilling (25-25, sixth year)
Last year: 6-4, 4-1 (2nd West, 8A first round)
Probable starters
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB Mark Iannotti 6-3/213 Sr.
TB Shepard Little 5-10/173 Sr.
T Kyle Pollock 6-1/190 Sr.
G Jon Moore 6-3/279 Sr.
C Mike Baumhart 5-10/197 Jr.
G Matt Zolper 6-4/244 Fr.
T Nick Nykaza 6-4/219 Sr.
TE Sean Duminie 6-3/199 Sr.
WR Tim Schwarz 6-1/167 Sr.
WR Brandon Kibby 6-0/179 Jr.
WR Mike Mallett 6-1/181 Jr.
or Matt Bolger 6-0/179 Sr.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DE Ryan King 6-1/204 Sr.
DT Joe Zolper 5-10/187 Sr.
DT Don Wiencek 6-0/247 Jr.
DE Pat Felde 6-0/189 Sr.
OLB Kyle Koburi 5-10/184 Sr.
MLB Josh Marchok 6-2/223 Jr.
OLB Dru Richardson 5-10/182 Jr.
CB Kevin Hilliard 5-9/162 Sr.
CB Eric Carlson 5-10/159 Jr.
S Bob Quilico 6-1/187 Sr.
S Johnny Kirk 6-1/188 Sr.