Conant looking for growth to show
Conant’s growing pains were evident as it lost its last seven football games a year ago.
But now the growth the Cougars have experienced is expected to be more evident.
“We have an experienced group and a senior-dominated group and those are big deals,” said Conant coach Bill Modelski. “This is the best I’ve felt in awhile about it.”
Especially since the Cougars did show flashes of skill a year ago. Senior quarterback Matt Cullen threw for 1,042 yards with 6 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
“He’s a bright kid who has worked hard and he’s throwing the ball pretty well right now,” Modelski said. “The game has slowed down for him and he’s in a lot better place than a year ago.”
Senior Cordell Smith (419 yards, 4 TDs) is the starter from a deep crew of experienced tailbacks. Junior Jacobi Sims (250 yards) and senior Kevin Otubu will also get carries.
Toledo-bound senior left tackle Paul Perschon (6-foot-5, 303 pounds), senior Kevin Modelski, junior Alex Pope and senior tight end Nick Blaha return as starters up front. Junior slot receiver Tim Manczko (6-3) has a couple of games of varsity experience.
“He’s special,” Bill Modelski said. “He’s fast, he has great hands and goes up and attacks the ball and adjusts to the ball as well as I’ve seen anyone do it. He might be our best football player.”
Manczko will also start at safety on a defense Modelski will run along with Tony Wolanski, who coordinated one of the area’s best units at Rolling Meadows. Senior all-conference pick John Maevski and Joe Faso return at linebacker.
Colin Otubu brings speed at one defensive end. Laderrian Watson, the Cougars’ best pass rusher, is out with a broken collarbone until Week 6 but Modelski said Danny Lampert is a solid replacement.
Defensive tackle Adam Starks, safety Connor Abbott and cornerback Kramer Brandt are also back as starters.
“We run well pretty much everywhere on defense,” Modelski said. “We’re a lot more physical than we’ve been the last couple of years.”
Which helps explain the better feeling about this year.
Cougars at a glance
Coach: Bill Modelski (19-36, seventh year)
Last year: 2-7, 0-5 (6th West)
Probable starters
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht./Wt. Yr.
QB Matt Cullen 6-1/184 Sr.
TB Cordell Smith 5-10/160 Sr.
LT Paul Perschon 6-5/303 Sr.
LG Kevin Modelski 5-9/217 Sr.
C Andrew Engel 5-8/195 Sr.
RG John Schaul 5-9/205 Sr.
RT Alex Pope 6-0/215 Jr.
TE Nick Blaha 6-3/204 Sr.
WR Jake Valas 5-10/163 Sr.
WR Mark McNiff 5-8/136 Sr.
WR Tim Manczko 6-3/183 Jr.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht./Wt. Yr.
DE Colin Otubu 5-11/208 Sr.
DT Adam Starks 6-2/230 Sr.
NT Tyler Labarbera 6-0/194 So.
DE Danny Lampert 6-0/168 Sr.
OLB Joe Faso 5-11/186 Jr.
MLB John Maevski 6-0/175 Sr.
OLB Gino Prestia 5-10/181 Sr.
CB Kramer Brandt 5-7/136 Sr.
CB Jacobi Sims 5-5/155 Jr.
or DeAngelo McBride 6-3/160 So.
S Connor Abbott 6-0/166 Sr.
S Tim Manczko 6-3/183 Jr.