Batavia looks to light up scoreboard
Being a Batavia resident, a graduate of the Class of 1983 and a passionate 22-year coach in the Bulldogs football program, Dennis Piron could be feeling the heat of taking over as head varsity coach.
That is not the case.
"Not really, no," said Piron, who upon his hiring termed predecessor Mike Gaspari who remains on task as offensive coordinator "like a dad to me."
"I believe in the kids that I have and I think we'll do well," said Piron, who has turned over his defensive coordinator position to 21-year program assistant and 1987 Batavia graduate Matt Holm. "I've always got that ability to lean on a Hall of Fame coach who'll be right there next to me."
The inner circle will also include quarterback Noel Gaspari, perhaps the biggest key to Batavia's crack at its first conference title since 2006 and a 15th playoff appearance since 1991.
Noel is one of three three-year starters on this year's squad, joining fellow all-conference returners Alec Lyons and Cole Gardner. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound Gardner, who eventually will play some at linebacker as well as tight end and defensive end, suffered a knee meniscus injury this spring and is week-to-week.
Piron has known Noel Gaspari since he was in diapers. In 2009, when the quarterback was a sophomore during a rare non-playoff season, the offense indeed took baby-steps as he got up to varsity speed. Now it's wide-open.
In 2010 Gaspari completed 132 of 205 passes (64 percent) for 1,885 yards, 16 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He tied a program record with 4 touchdown passes against Streamwood and targets a receiver corps that includes returning starters Gardner, Evan Zeddies and Zach Strittmatter plus John Gray and Michael Moffatt, and backs Robbie Bowman, Austin Lindquist and Anthony Thielk. There may be more of those games.
From option to shotgun to the base Pro I, it sounds like footballs will be flying.
"It's Xbox 360 now, that's the way I would describe it," Piron exclaimed. "It's Madden 2011 versus what Mike might say, Pac Man."
If there's a weakness, Piron said, it might be experience on the offensive line, where all-conference tackle Nick Pappas is the sole returning starter.
Defensively the coach is psyched about a line that returns Lyons, who made 50 tackles including 7 sacks plus 15 quarterback hurries; and Mac Brown, who made 5 sacks himself. Gardner, with 46 tackles and a team-high 8 sacks and 18 hurries, will solidify that unit when healthy. The Bulldogs also return all-conference safety Kevin Schroeder, who led last year's squad with 64 tackles.
Gray and linebacker Sean Oroni also put up solid numbers last year, while Austin Higgins and Moffatt were among many returners who saw playing time.
"On the defensive side of the ball we feel great," Piron said. "And when you add Cole (Gardner) back to the mix we should be really tough up front."
In an atmosphere Piron said lacks drama despite the coaching change, the new head coach feels more pleasure than pressure being top Bulldog.
"It's an honor to be able to be the person to lead this program right now," Piron said. "This is about as good as it gets."
Batavia breakdown
Coach: Dennis Piron (first year).
2009 record: 5-5, 4-2, second in conference.
Postseason: One straight playoff appearance, qualified 7 of last 8 years.
Last five years (starting in 2006): 12-2, 5-5, 6-4, 2-7, 5-5
Total: 30-23
2011 Enrollment: 1835
Schedule
Date Opponent Time
8/26 Marmion 7:30
9/2 at Plainfield East 7:00
9/9 at Larkin 7:30*
9/16 Bartlett 7:30
9/23 St. Charles East 7:30*
9/30 at Geneva 7:30*
10/7 Elgin 7:30*
10/14 at St. Charles N. 7:30*
10/21 Streamwood 7:30*
* denotes conference game
Probable starters
Offense (Multiple Pro)
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB Noel Gaspari 5-11/175 Sr.*
RB Austin Lindquist 5-10/175 Sr.*
RB Alex Moore 5-9/175 Sr.
TE Evan Zeddies 6-3/205 Sr.*
WR John Gray 5-11/165 Sr.
WR Zach Strittmatter 6-5/195 Jr.*
LT Sebastian Vermaas 6-2/200 Jr. LG Brock Batka 6-1/225 Sr.
C Ben Link 6-1/205 Jr. RG Zach Schoettes 5-11/240 Sr.
RT NIck Pappas 6-3/225 Sr.* K Brandon Clabough 5-11/160 Sr.*
Defense (4-3)
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DE Alex Lyons 6-1/245 Sr.*
DT Austin Lewis 6-3/215 Sr.*
DT Mac Brown 5-11/280 Sr.*
DE Marquise Jenkins 6-2/220 Jr.
OLB Austin Higgins 6-1/175 Sr.*
MLB Sean Oroni 5-11/205 Sr.*
OLB Anthony Thielk 6-1/205 So.
S Kevin Schroeder 6-0/190 Sr.*
S Robbie Bowman 6-1/185 Jr. CB John Gray 5-11/165 Sr.*
CB Mike Moffatt 6-1/175 So.*
P John Gray 5-11/165 Sr.*
* denotes returning starter