Batavia determined to bounce back

Batavia football coach Mike Gaspari illustrated the thin line between perceived success and failure.

"We were only nine points from being 5-4 and in the (2009) playoffs, so that's how fragile it can be," said Gaspari, in his last year as Batavia's athletic director.

It's doubtful the Bulldogs can be called fragile now. The positive in playing underclassmen, as Gaspari did in last year's 2-7 campaign, is welcoming them back bigger, stronger, more experienced.

The Bulldogs defensive front four, which Gaspari calls the strength of the team, returns intact: All-Area selection Brian Wilson, second-leading tackler Alec Lyons (45 solo, 37 assists), 6-foot-4 tackle Jeff Hartzell and Cole Gardner, who led last year's team in sacks (7) and quarterback hurries (12) and tied for honors in tackles for loss and forced fumbles.

"They're very athletic, strong kids and there's some size there as well," Gaspari said.

The coach extends this strength to the entire front seven. It includes returning starting middle linebacker Nick Gorczyca and two wide-wingspan types in 6-4 Jake Benner (47 tackles) and 6-2 Austin Lewis. Returning cornerback Ben Fornek brings speed to the secondary.

One area not as experienced is on the other side of the ball. Last season's leading rusher, Danny Seiton, chose not to play football; fullback Braden Hartmann graduated. That leaves the tailback spot to Emund Kabba, small but among the track program's fastest athletes ever.

"If he gets a seam he's going to be a nightmare to deal with," Gaspari said of Kabba, who gained 229 yards on 55 carries last season. Junior back Austin Lindquist joins varsity after taking most of the handoffs for last year's sophomores.

Gaspari's own son, Noel, reprises his role as quarterback.

Last season was the first time he'd played the position since the seventh grade due to a broken wrist in eighth-grade and playing in the defensive secondary with Batavia's sophs as a freshman.

This year the playbook will open a little wider for Noel, who has a slew of targets in big tight end Gardner and tall receivers Zach Strittmatter, Joe Sortino and Evan Zeddies, speedy top returning wideout David Peskind (21 catches, 340 yards) and, in a double-tight set, 6-foot-3 R.J. Banker.

As it usually does, Gaspari said offensive success will come down to the line. Here, Gardner will be counted on to crack down plenty, and along with Wilson, Sean Tews at center is an anchor.

Whatever Batavia attains - given the program's tradition and this group's experience, one's got to think 2-7 was an aberration - Gaspari attributes it to his seniors.

"They're an outstanding group of kids who are all good friends, which is something you can't coach," he said.

"It's a group of kids that deserves to have success."