Warren takes another run at excellence with Lindal
With Greg Kennedy in the backfield last year, Warren had one of the most exciting and prolific rushing games in the North Suburban Conference.
Nothing much should change.
Never mind the fact that Kennedy is off playing at Harper Community College now. Sure, the Blue Devils will miss him and his 1,861 yards and 23 touchdowns from 2009.
But they've got another premier back waiting to take over the lead role.
Tom Lindal, who has started at fullback since his sophomore year, is ready for a similarly explosive senior season that will help keep Warren right in the hunt for a North Suburban Lake Division championship.
Last year, Warren finished 8-3 overall and 4-2 in the Lake, tied with Lake Zurich for second behind Stevenson.
The Blue Devils' only losses during the regular season came to Lake Zurich and Stevenson.
"You kind of hope those two losses had an affect on the kids in the sense that it helps you this year against those teams," Warren coach Dave Mohapp said. "We are striving to win a conference championship and you have to be able to beat teams like those."
Warren boasts plenty of firepower besides Lindal to get the job done.
Overall, Mohapp welcomed back 11 starters, six on offense, five on defense.
Mohapp is particularly excited about the return of his two top receivers from last year, Kendell Harris and TJ Parker, both seniors who could make Warren more balanced between the rushing and passing games.
"We'd really like to strive for more balance this year," Mohapp said. "We're fortunate to have another great runner like Tom in our program and there's no question he's going to be counted on a lot again this season.
"But if we really want to grow our program, I really feel like we've got to throw the ball better."
Much of the fate of Warren's passing game will be in the hands of junior quarterback Bob Boesch, who does not yet have any varsity game experience.
"Bob is a little different from the quarterbacks we've had in the past," Mohapp said. "We've had some drop-back passers in recent years and Bob has some speed and can really run with the ball. Having him back there is like having another running back in the backfield."
Speaking of, Nolan Sordyl, who was injured early in the season last year, will be another back in the backfield with Lindal. They'll run behind an offensive line that boasts three returning starters in center Josh Dust, tackle Zak Lowe and tight end Cal Halley.
Defensively, Mohapp hopes his team can duplicate last year's quick start.
"We started off really well on defense and that helped a lot because our offense was a little slow to come around early on," Mohapp said. "I hope we can play like that again this year on defense. Our defense was strong."
Matt Goad, who started at linebacker last year as a sophomore, has moved to free safety for the Blue Devils. Also returning to the starting lineup are linebackers Zack Kravits and Gary Eppinger, lineman Luke Mueller and back Brandon Tyler.
WARREN
Probable starters
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB Bob Boesch 5-11/170 Jr.
RB Tom Lindal 6-0/205 Sr.
RB Nolan Sordyl 5-7/185 Jr.
WR TJ Parker 5-10/175 Sr.
WR Kendell Harris 6-2/205 Sr.
WR Tyler Graham 5-10/155 Sr.
WR Mitch Munda 6-3/175 Jr.
TE Cal Haley 6-1/220 Sr.
OT Zack Lowe 6-2/280 Sr.
OG Justin Zybinski 6-1/180 Jr.
C Josh Dust 5-10/275 Sr.
OG Tyler Stillman 5-11/280 Sr.
OT Sean Kelly 6-3/205 Jr.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DL Luke Mueller 5-11/230 Sr.
DL Devin Bryant 5-11/245 Sr.
DL Jovan DuBose 6-1/220 Jr.
LB John Glende 6-1/190 Sr.
LB Gary Eppinger 6-1/220 Sr.
LB Nick Kerkorian 5-11/195 Sr.
LB Anthony Garza 5-10/180 Jr.
LB Jim Savage 6-0/180 Sr.
FS Matt Goad 6-1/200 Jr.
DB Brandon Tyler 5-6/160 Sr.
DB Bill Cressler 5-10/175 Jr.