Stevenson eager to establish new identity
Emotions ran high in the Stevenson locker room after last year's game against Mt. Carmel.
The Patriots would soon have to stay goodbye for good to the program's longtime coach, Bill Mitz, who was retiring and had just coached his last game.
And about that last game, it was a drainer.
Stevenson entered its second round playoff game at Gately Stadium on Chicago's South Side undefeated. The Patriots had multiple chances to win the game and were driving in the final minute.
But, in the end, they simply ran out of time and fell just short, 23-16.
It was the kind of loss that gives a coach reason to put aside his book of motivational speeches. Even a new coach.
Bill McNamara, an assistant under Mitz for 18 years, was named Stevenson's new head coach in December. He says he won't have to spend much time in his new job firing up his players.
"There has been great energy and such a positive attitude through all of our camps and practices," McNamara said. "I think a lot of that has to do with that loss at Mt. Carmel. The guys haven't forgotten that. They haven't forgotten how that felt and they are anxious to get moving forward again."
Senior quarterback Kevin Earl is ready for the ride.
He'll be the focus of a Stevenson offense that might be more pass-oriented than run-oriented for the first time in nearly three decades.
Mitz, who coached the Patriots for 28 years, was always a run-first guy.
But Earl is coming off a 1,600-yard passing season in 2009 and McNamara is a former quarterback who loves to pass and score points in a hurry.
"We hope to be able to open things up this year," McNamara said. "Kevin completed 60 percent of his passes last year and he's just gotten bigger and stronger. He's worked so hard in the off-season. And he's also really improved as a leader. I think he's going to take control of our offense."
The plan is for Earl to make plenty of connections with wide receiver Steve Salata, a senior who started last year and has worked with Earl closely in the off-season on timing and chemistry.
"Steve worked hard in the off-season and has excellent hands and is an excellent route runner," McNamara said. "I'm just hoping that our offensive line comes together and protects Kevin."
The line, which has good size, is led by two returning starters in Jon Bash and Michael Crowley, a three-year starter for the Patriots.
When not blocking for Earl, the line will pave the way for a rushing game that should still be fairly dangerous.
Senior Joe Cassata will be Stevenson's primary runner, and may send fans flashing back to last season.
McNamara says Cassata is a bit like former Stevenson star Mark Weisman, who rolled up 1,657 yards and 22 touchdowns last year. He is now playing at Air Force.
"Joe has a lot of similarities to Weisman," McNamara said. "He's a big, physical kid. He's a good runner and a good receiver out of the backfield. He's worked really hard on conditioning in the off-season."
Cassata will be joined in the backfield by Nathan Kahn, Anthony Bozin and Kevin Foley.
Defensively, the Patriots return five starters, including three-year starting linebacker Brion Wood, linemen Crowley and Maxx Wujcik and backs Carl Miller and Chris Duffey.
STEVENSON
Probable starters
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB Kevin Earl 6-6/205 Sr.
RB Joe Cassata 5-11/200 Sr.
RB Nathan Kahn 6-0/225 Jr.
RB Anthony Bozin 5-8/155 Soph.
WR Steve Salata 6-2/195 Sr.
OL Jon Bash 6-1/190 Sr.
OL Brandon Weber 5-10/240 Sr.
OL Ryan Levine 5-11/205 Sr.
OL Mike Crowley 6-3/250 Sr.
OL Jake Hurcombe 6-2/275 Jr.
OL Mike Aasen 6-1/230 Sr.
TE Andy Munger 6-3/215 Sr.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DT Maxx Wujcik 6-0/230 Sr.
DT Michael Kuhn 6-1/240 Jr.
DE Mike Crowley 6-3/250 Sr.
DE Quentin Lorenzo 6-0/185 Jr.
LB Brion Wood 6-3/210 Sr.
LB Dominick Bickus 5-11/200 Jr.
LB Joe Squaglia 5-11/206 Sr.
DB Chris Duffey 5-10/175 Sr.
DB Carl Miller 6-3/210 Jr.
DB Jon Way 6-1/190 Jr.
DB Troy Radtke 6-2/185 Jr.
DB David Peterson 5-11/165 Sr.