Nothing but sunshine for optimistic Wauconda
Raindrops fell and then, worse, lightning flashed.
So much for the Wauconda football team's second annual "Bulldogs Give Back" night, an endeavor whose purpose is to build the Wauconda/Island Lake food pantry.
Dave Mills' clothes may have been rain-soaked, but the head coach's enthusiasm for the new season was hardly dampened.
"I don't want to sound too excited ... but I am - I really am," Mills, an old football player whose sport still brings out the kid in him, said with a grin that he had trouble containing. His Bulldogs host Huntley tonight.
"I like where our kids are at."
During the state playoffs last fall, Mills liked where his players were. No, they weren't in the playoffs, but they were in the weight room, talking about next year.
Which explains why they became Stillman Valley fans.
"They knew that we had Stillman Valley on the schedule (in 2010)," Mills said. "When Stillman Valley was marching through the playoffs (en route to going 14-0 and winning the Class 3A state championship), our kids would talk about it in the weight room, and they were getting excited. They were pulling for Stillman Valley to win a state title."
To be the best, you have to play the best, it's been said. That his players wanted that challenge made Mills proud.
"As a coach," he said, "it's very, very refreshing when your kids are looking forward to competition."
The Bulldogs weren't just talk and no action.
During summer camp, they showed up daily and lifted weights from 7:30-9 a.m., then practiced for three hours.
Every player was committed.
"We had a 98-percent attendance on the varsity kids," Mills said. "They were very excited during the off-season. We've had some very impressive numbers put up (in) the weight room.
"Our kids have gained some real nice strength, and like any young man, when you do that, you just feel a little more confident about yourself."
Mills has plenty of confidence in returning all-conference quarterback Brian Kent, who will run the Bulldogs' hybrid offense - a shotgun spread, which Mills put in place in his first season as a head coach last year.
The 6-foot-1 Kent is listed at 195 pounds on the roster, but Mills says the senior is 205. The strong-armed Kent also has decent speed.
"I think he has the ability to be the best quarterback in northern Illinois," Mills said. "He's been one of our hardest-working kids throughout the entire year."
Just like last year, Kent will throw the football to wide receivers Brandon Dorsey and Jake Ziolkowski. Anthony Calendo and Jesus Moreno return on the offensive line.
The defense features seniors Colton Rogers, Justin Donahue, Mike Larkin, Andrew Schmucker, Janar Nevski, Max Agrella, Paul Boorsma and Zach Bulich. Sophomore Will Danner will start at nose.
While Mills is optimistic, he knows his team has no easy games, especially in the first month of the season.
"We just feel good," Mills said. "The bad news is, we play Huntley, then Stillman, then Antioch and Warren in four weeks. So we've got our hands full with a tough schedule."
WAUCONDA
Probable starters
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB Brian Kent 6-1/195 Sr.
FB Janar Nevski 5-11/180 Sr.
RB Calvin Weeder 5-10/190 Sr.
FL Brandon Dorsey 5-8/135 Sr.
TE Shawn Sundquist 6-1/185 Jr.
or Colton Rodgers 6-4/220 Sr.
LT Ricky Moran 6-5/295 Sr.
LG Christian Huff 6-1/270 Jr.
C Nick Gerling 5-6/190 Sr.
RG Anthony Calendo 6-0/220 Sr.
RT Jesus Moreno 6-0/355 Sr.
SE Jake Ziolkowski 6-0/170 Jr.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DE Paul Boorsma 6-1/230 Sr.
NT Will Danner 5-10/215 So.
DE Zach Bulich 6-2/220 Sr.
LB Colton Rodgers 6-4/220 Sr.
LB Janar Nevski 5/11/180 Sr.
LB Eric Eichen 6-1/170 Jr.
LB Jake Sherman 5-11/155 Jr.
LB Max Agrella 5-11/190 Sr.
CB Justin Donahue 5-8/160 Sr.
S Andrew Schmucker 6-1/175 Sr.
CB Mike Larkin 5-10/145 Sr.