Rolling Meadows is ready to get defensive
Those focusing solely on all-area quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's departure to Eastern Illinois are missing one of the key points to Rolling Meadows' success.
The defending Mid-Suburban East champion Mustangs don't give up many of them. That's been a big part of the second-longest current streak of playoff trips in the MSL at seven.
"We put a premium on defense and hopefully we continue to do that," said Meadows coach Doug Millsaps of last year's unit that allowed an area-best 226 yards a game.
"We take great pride in our defense and coach (coordinator Tony) Wolanski takes great pride in it," said senior middle linebacker Colin Buscarini.
Having all-area returnee Buscarini, Sean Connor and Andrew Peters back at linebacker is a nice place for Meadows to start defensively. John Putz is expected to fit right in on the inside.
Meadows lost all-area standout Erick Louis-Charles at nose tackle but junior John Garcia came up to the varsity late last year.
"He really has a chance to be good," Millsaps said. "He's not as explosive as LC, but he can be a game-changer. He's getting better and better."
Juniors Artie Checchin and Ryan Gundersen return in the secondary.
On the offensive end, the Mustangs also have experience up front in Connor, Buscarini and Zach and Tyler Tegtmeier.
That should help junior running back Garrett Peterson (411 yards, 6 TDs), who will also give the kicking game a boost.
"He's so much better," Millsaps said. "He has breakaway speed and he's starting to get the cutback lanes and the double cut. He's really starting to make strides."
Senior Kevin Cwynar takes over at quarterback and has some nice targets in 6-foot-7 Scott Shewmon (20 catches, 271 yards, 2 TDs), Checchin (26 for 355, 2 TDs), Gundersen and Tyler Bobowski.
"He's really elusive and has natural instincts and ability," Millsaps said of Cwynar. "We have some weapons and we're good up front. Our deal is valuing the football and taking care of it."
Because Meadows' defense figures to take care of getting the ball back to the offense as quickly as possible.
Mustangs at a glance
Coach: Doug Millsaps (73-59, 14th year)
Last year: 7-3, 5-0 (East champs, 7A first round)
Probable starters
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB Kevin Cwynar 6-1/193 Sr.
RB Garrett Peterson 5-11/179 Jr.
T Nick Leidecker 6-4/236 Jr.
G Kevin Puleo 6-1/204 Jr.
C Zach Tegtmeier 6-1/232 Sr.
G Tyler Tegtmeier 6-1/231 Sr.
T Colin Buscarini 6-2/218 Sr.
WR Scott Shewmon 6-7/208 Sr.
WR Artie Checchin 6-2/186 Jr.
WR Tyler Bobowski 5-7/158 Jr.
WR Ryan Gundersen 6-1/188 Jr.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht./Wt. Yr.
DT Tyler Tegtmeier 6-1/231 Sr.
NT John Garcia 5-10/228 Jr.
DT Bobby Rundlett 5-11/216 Jr.
OLB Andrew Peters 6-2/202 Sr.
MLB Colin Buscarini 6-2/218 Sr.
ILB John Putz 6-2/192 Sr.
OLB Sean Connor 6-3/208 Sr.
CB Artie Checchin 6-2/186 Jr.
CB David Hogan 6-1/151 Jr.
S Joe Kropp 5-10/171 Sr.
S Ryan Gundersen 6-1/188 Jr.