Is success in the balance for Prospect?
The areas of comfort and concern haven't changed even if the personnel has for Prospect.
The offense lost prolific two-time all-area quarterback Miles Osei to Illinois but still returns dangerous multiple-threat Peter Bonahoom.
"I think offensively we aren't going to miss too many beats," said Prospect coach Brent Pearlman.
But last year's defense was missing what the Knights needed to finish better than third in the Mid-Suburban East and advance past the second round of the Class 7A playoffs.
Pearlman said the defense had a really good summer, but -
"That to me doesn't prove anything," Pearlman said. "The kids have done a great job and the mentality is right, but I'm holding the jury out on the defense until we play some games.
"I'm optimistic and I think we have kids who can do the job."
The primary offensive executioner will be Bonahoom, an all-area senior and Division I prospect who will be running (1,066 yards, 14 TDs), catching (32 catches, 809 yards, 9 TDs, and at times this year, throwing the ball. But Pearlman emphasized senior Steve Dazzo is the quarterback.
"He's a much better runner than I expected and a good thrower," Pearlman said of Dazzo, who will move out wide when Bonahoom is at quarterback. "He's come in with a much different mentality."
Grant DePalma (466 total yards) and Ryan Ward (12 catches, 205 yards, 2 TDS) are back as receiver-tailbacks. Tackles Matt Boll and Mike Geweneger and center Anthony Babicz return up front and guards Payton Eckert and Zach Lewis made big physical gains to 260 and 245 pounds respectively.
Bonahoom will also be an anchor on defense at safety with Patrick Inserra and DePalma returns at middle linebacker. Versatile Austin Tixier, Dan Panicko and Babicz are returning starters up front and Geweneger, who started at defensive tackle as a sophomore but focused solely on offense last year, will also see action.
Pearlman, who will run the defense in his final year at Prospect, expects to increase the players used on that side of the ball to 17-to-19 a game.
"We've definitely gone back to the mentality, 'If you can't do it, someone else will,'" Pearlman said. "We're also trying to adapt more to a style of defense which fits them."
Knights at a glance
Coach: Brent Pearlman (95-32, 12th year)
Last year: 8-3, 3-2 (T2nd East, 7A second round)
Probable starters
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB Steve Dazzo 6-0/205 Sr.
TB Peter Bonahoom 6-3/201 Sr.
T Matt Boll 6-3/216 Sr.
G Payton Eckert 6-5/260 Sr.
C Anthony Babicz 6-0/205 Sr.
G Zach Lewis 6-5/245 Sr.
T Mike Geweneger 6-0/203 Sr.
WR Grant DePalma 5-11/196 Sr.
WR Nick Czerniak 6-0/176 Sr.
WR Sam Frasco 5-9/147 Jr.
WR Jimmy Ott 5-9/148 Sr.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DE Mike Geweneger 6-0/203 Sr.
DT Anthony Babicz 6-0/205 Sr.
DT Austin Tixier 6-3/219 Jr.
DE Dan Panicko 6-1/194 Sr.
SLB Mike Etchingham 5-11/177 Jr.
MLB Grant DePalma 5-11/196 Sr.
WLB Beau Zanca 6-1/181 Sr.
CB Sam Frasco 5-9/147 Jr.
CB Joe Randazzo 5-9/170 Sr.
S Peter Bonahoom 6-3/201 Sr.
S Patrick Inserra 6-1/182 Sr.