Buffalo Grove feels need for speed
If Buffalo Grove’s plan works it won’t have to worry about any delay of game penalties.
But opposing defenses might wish they had a couple of extra timeouts as the Bison will use the football version of a fast-break offense.
“We’re going to play real up-tempo offensively,” said BG coach Jim Farrell, who will be running the offense this year. “We’ll do a lot more hurry-up stuff and try to wear people out and wear people down.”
The bad news of losing graduated quarterback Mike Garrity for most of last year from a concussion means the good news this year is senior Rich Zirngibl has significant experience.
Zirngibl started four games and split time with Garrity in three others. He rushed for 504 yards and 3 touchdowns and passed for 386 yards with 3 TDs and 5 interceptions.
Farrell also expects Zirngibl to benefit from working with quarterbacks coach and former Elk Grove star and 2004 all-area captain Tim Podulka.
“You have a spread (offense) kid coached by a spread guy,” said Farrell, who was Podulka’s offensive coordinator at Elk Grove. “It’s helped Richie along greatly to have a guy who has run the offense. He has a great grasp of what’s going on and he’s ready to lead the team.”
BG will use a tailback by committee again with Brian Busch, Alex Fritz and Adam Steinle. Juniors Ryan Schumi and Brian Kleczynski give Zirngibl solid targets.
All-area lineman Joe Damisch graduated but junior Tommy Sakkos and senior Trevor Chandler return on the right side.
“I think we’ll be better up front collectively as a group,” Farrell said. “It’s a strong, fast and really athletic group.”
The defense will be anchored by senior middle linebacker Mike Catino (6-foot-3, 235 pounds), who had more than 100 tackles last season. Catino is surrounded by Ryan Inlow, Steinle, Marty Egan and Busch.
“The linebacker group is pretty good right now,” Farrell said. “(Catino) is really, really good. I can’t wait to turn him loose on people defensively.”
Matt Zabrin returns to start on an athletic defensive line and Zirngibl figures to be a factor in the secondary again.
And the Bison hope to avoid the injuries of last year and the lack of playoff points when they were 5-4 two years ago to end a seven-year postseason drought.
“Even with an injury-plagued season we were 4-5 and only one game away,” Farrell said. “They’ve really used that as a lot of motivation.”
Bison at a glance
Coach: Jim Farrell (12-15, fourth year)
Last year: 4-5, 2-3 (T3rd East)
Probable starters
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB Rich Zirngibl 5-11/175 Sr.
TB Brian Busch 5-10/170 Sr.
LT Joe Conley 6-2/210 Sr.
LG Andy Walker 5-11/235 Jr.
C Josh Pak 5-11/230 Sr.
RG Trevor Chandler 6-0/215 Sr.
RT Tommy Sakkos 6-1/250 Jr.
TE Ryan Inlow 6-1/200 Sr.
WR Marty Egan 5-10/175 Sr.
WR Brian Kleczynski 5-10/165 Jr.
WR Ryan Schumi 5-9/165 Jr.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DT Matt Zabrin 5-11/185 Sr.
NT Jack Asquini 5-9/190 Jr.
DT Trevor Chandler 6-0/215 Sr.
OLB Marty Egan 5-10/175 Sr.
SLB Adam Steinle 5-11/190 Jr.
MLB Mike Catino 6-3/235 Sr.
WLB Ryan Inlow 6-1/200 Sr.
OLB Brian Busch 5-10/170 Sr.
CB Alex Fritz 5-10/175 Sr.
CB Jordan Rathje 5-11/165 Sr.
S Rich Zirngibl 5-11/175 Sr.