Meadows ready for more Milas touch
Most of the targets Jack Milas hit 67 percent of the time last season are no longer in Rolling Meadows uniforms.
But the Mustangs still expect to see a lot of the Milas touch with a new crew of receivers working with the Ball State-bound senior.
“It’s probably tougher on Jack because he had such a comfort level with those guys and trusted them,” Meadows coach Matt Mishler said of a group led by all-area picks Artie Checchin and Ryan Gundersen. “But we have guys who run their routes and generally catch the ball.
“It may put a little more pressure on Jack to put together 10- to 12-play drives to score. But I’m excited because I think we’re going to be pretty good offensively.”
Milas threw for 2,730 yards and 29 touchdowns with only 8 interceptions. His deep group of potential targets includes secondary starters Jacob Grant and Austin Reed.
Center and three-year starter Mark Schmid anchors the line. Milas also figures to get a lot of help from senior running back Steven Royster, whose speed and strength should make him a formidable threat.
“He looks good,” Royster said. “We’re really excited about him.”
What also should help is an improved defensive unit now in its second year in coordinator Scott Otahal’s scheme. Third-year starting end Raul Alba-Cortez, end David Sobkowicz and tackle Mario Lucchetto return to the four-man front.
Otahal said inside linebackers Adam Pavlakis and Eddie Cardenas are as athletic as any he’s coached at Meadows. He hopes flex linebacker/strong safety Danny Malnati can stay healthy after missing most of last year with a second ACL surgery.
“His football instincts are off the charts,” Otahal said.
The key could be an inexperienced secondary where Grant and Reed saw a little bit of time.
“(The staff) is much more confident in the structure of the defense and how to game plan other teams,” Otahal said. “We’ve implemented things this summer and it went much smoother. Size-wise and athletic-wise we feel pretty good.”
Mustangs at a glance
Coach: Matt Mishler (second year, 6-4)
Last year: 6-4, 3-2 (3rd East, 6A qualifier)
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB Jack Milas 6-2/195 Sr.
TB Steven Royster 5-10/200 Sr.
LT Matt Long 6-2/217 Jr.
LG Billy Golaris 6-3/265 Jr.
C Mark Schmid 6-1/235 Sr.
RG Alexis Rojas 5-10/230 Sr.
RT Matt Barry 6-4/220 Sr.
WR Jimmy Grier 6-1/175 Sr.
WR Matt Dolan 6-4/185 Jr.
WR Andre Campbell 5-8/160 Sr.
WR Alex Niecikowski 5-6/165 Jr.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DE David Sobkowicz 6-4/212 Sr.
DT Mario Lucchetto 5-10/223 Sr.
DT Jakub Szylak 6-3/223 Sr.
DE Raul Alba-Cortez 6-0/195 Sr.
ILB Adam Pavlakis 6-3/208 Sr.
ILB Eddie Cardenas 6-1/186 Jr.
Flex Danny Malnati 5-10/180 Sr.
CB Calvin Gunn 5-8/168 Jr.
CB Luke Toenjes 5-10/165 Sr.
S Austin Reed 5-10/170 Sr.
S Jacob Grant 5-10/180 Sr.