Hoffman hopes daily gains show on Fridays
New Hoffman Estates head football coach Eric Ilich hopes what he’s seen on a daily basis continues on Friday nights this fall.
“The kids have bought in and worked hard mentally and physically,” Ilich said. “Each day is better than the last day.
“We’re moving forward together and in the end everybody wants to do things right to make the program improve.”
It won’t be easy as Ilich comes from a Bartlett program which was a perennial playoff qualifier to take his first head coaching job with a Hoffman program coming off its fifth winless season since 2002.
Ilich has also worked to increase the numbers in the program. But he’s also seen a dropoff that isn’t too bad.
“The mental errors are certainly declining every day, which is critical,” Ilich said of a team which was hurt by 32 turnovers last season.
Especially with the change from an option to a pro-spread offense which uses multiple back sets. Senior Eric Brooks takes over at quarterback and has a pair of experienced receivers in Anthony Patrick and Mike Jackson.
Center Luke Iehl will play a big role on both sides of the ball and senior Chris Laboets (6-feet-4, 300 pounds) will anchor things up front at left tackle. Kabrian Johnson, a transfer from Dundee-Crown, will try to give Ilich the balance he wants.
“I feel really good about where we’re at,” Ilich said. “(Brooks) is really starting to get comfortable with the timing and tempo.
“We’ll do whatever we have to do to take advantage of what the defense gives us. We want to be a defensive coordinator’s nightmare.”
Mixing things up defensively out of a base four-man front is also part of Ilich’s plan. Junior David Baureis will lead the way at middle linebacker with senior Zach Hommowun moving from the secondary to linebacker.
“He’s a tough player and he’s done a really nice job,” Ilich said.
Matt Mednus returns in the secondary for new coordinator Paul Moersch.
“I like the things we’re doing scheme-wise,” Ilich said. “Hopefully we’ll play with confidence starting Week 1.”
Hawks at a glance
Coach: Eric Ilich (first year)
Last year: 0-9, 0-5 (6th West)
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB Eric Brooks 6-0/180 Sr.
RB Kabrian Johnson 5-8/160 Jr.
RB Harry Wright 5-10/210 Sr.
or Jared Bruemmer 5-8/165 Sr.
LT Chris Labeots 6-4/300 Sr.
LG Baldamar Camacho 5-11/275 Jr.
C Luke Iehl 6-1/190 Sr.
RG Deroulo Cadet 5-10/190 Sr.
RT John Reeves 5-11/210 Sr.
TE Derrick Acker 6-2/205 Sr.
WR Mike Jackson 6-1/180 Sr.
WR Anthony Patrick 5-9/175 Sr.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DE Adrian Augistiniak 6-3/225 Jr.
or Luke Iehl 6-1/190 Sr.
DT Jim Cahill 5-10/210 Sr.
DT Junior Castillo 6-3/265 Jr.
DE Deroulo Cadet 5-10/190 Sr.
or Connor Rodhem 6-3/180 Jr.
OLB Zach Hommowun 6-1/180 Sr.
ILB David Baureis 5-8/195 Jr.
ILB John Leiva 5-10/215 Sr.
OLB Fred Williams 6-0/170 Sr.
or Jared Bruemmer 5-8/165 Sr.
CB Tim Marinoff 5-8/170 Sr.
or Will Cage 6-1/170 So.
CB Rainier DelRosario 5-8/145 Jr.FS Matt Mednus 6-0/185 Sr.