Scouting the Naperville North Huskies
Before retiring at the end of last season, Larry McKeon helped guide Naperville North's football program to 23 playoff appearances and two state titles.
More than anyone, longtime defensive coordinator Sean Drendel understands the shoes he's filling.
"I'm not coach McKeon, and I'm not going to try to be," said Drendel, who was named the Huskies new head coach in January. "He's a legend. All we can do is work hard and to the best of our abilities."
Drendel's first team is filled with potential, headed by University of Minnesota-bound quarterback Matt LaCosse and linebacker Nick Lifka, who committed to Boston College. LaCosse threw for 600 yards and rushed for 300 last year while Lifka had 78 tackles with 11 for loss.
Both in their third year on varsity, LaCosse and Lifka are premier leaders on their respective side of the ball.
"Nick's a proven player, and Matt's going to be a handful out there," Drendel said. "We didn't do a very good job catching the ball from him last year, but I think we'll be much better."
The Huskies return only a handful of starters including running back Nick Sianta and lineman Soern Osborne to the offense. Nick Krejci, who played offensive line last year, moves to defense this season to join returning linemen Brandon Williamson, Pat Meath and Mike Kang.
While it's been a smooth transition for Drendel, you can expect some tweaks. For one thing, he'll be coaching the offense.
The most important shift, though, is shaking off last year's disappointing finish when the Huskies lost four of their last six games including a first-round exit in the Class 8A playoffs.
"We put ourselves in a good position in a lot of ways last year and we ended up making a lot of mental mistakes," Drendel said. "If we can rid ourselves of those things we'll be in real good shape. These guys are really working to get better."
The breakdown
Coach: Sean Drendel (first year).
2009 record: 5-5, 3-4, fifth in DuPage Valley Conference.
Top players: Matt LaCosse (QB, 6-7, 225, sr.); Nick Lifka (LB, 6-2, 240, sr.); Nick Sianta (RB, 6-1, 185, sr.); Soern Osborne (OL, 6-1, 265, sr.); Nick Krejci (DL-LB, 6-0, 215, jr.); Brandon Williamson (DL, 5-11, 205, sr.); Pat Meath (DL, 6-2, 205, sr.); Mike Kang (DL, 5-7, 195, sr.); Antonio Owens (RB, 5-8, 170, sr.); Brett Jones (DL, 5-11, 230, jr.); Tim Davis (LB, 5-11, 185, jr.); Anthony Panagos (LB, 6-0, 200, sr.); Dan Puknaitis (RB, 5-9, 180, jr.); Henry Cheatham (6-4, 165, sr.); Anthony DiMonte (OL, 6-4, 275, sr.); Eric Frey (OL, 6-4, 220, sr.).