Scouting the Addison Trail Blazers
It took only a couple days of football practice for Addison Trail to discover something it missed all last season.
Playmakers.
Considering the improvement needed from a one-win campaign in 2018, the more the merrier.
"Our Achilles' heel last year was that when we needed a big play, we had no one," said Blazers coach Paul Parpet Jr. "This year you can already see the difference."
Talented but thin in their senior and junior classes, Addison Trail will lean on as many as eight sophomores. It's made for some interesting possibilities on both sides of the ball.
Senior A.J. Carlson, who last season had 38 catches for 584 yards and 6 touchdowns, and junior Damarious Conrad will be in the slot on offense and the secondary on defense. Both are prepared to make those much-needed big plays. Whether it's Anthony Valenti or sophomore Sammy Renc behind center, someone needs to keep feeding the ball to that talented duo.
The run game, taking advantage of returning guards Nick Skamra and Xavier Sierra, may be driven by sophomores.
"We'll see how that develops," Parpet said. "Right now we've got a lot of competition."
The heart of the defense is linebacker Sal Napoli, who Parpet believes epitomizes the program's renewed "old school" mentality. Junior Eric Reed is another player to watch at linebacker. Two-way play will be at each level of the defense, including on the line with Manny Hernandez and returning junior Tom Housley.
"We're kind of going back to the ways we used to do things here," Parpet said. "We've challenged them to be committed to what we're doing if they want an opportunity to play, and they've bought in."
One to watch: For a playoff shot, the Blazers need at least two wins heading into Week 4 against Glenbard West.
The breakdown
Coach: Paul Parpet Jr. (10th year, 39-46).
2018 record: 1-8, 1-5, tied for fifth in the West Suburban Gold.
Top players: WR-DB A.J. Carlson, sr.; LB Sal Napoli, sr.; WR-DB Damarious Conrad, jr.; LB Eric Reed, jr.; OL-DL Tom Housley, jr.; OL-DL Nick Skamra, sr.; OL-DL Xavier Sierra, sr. QB Anthony Valenti, sr.; OL-DL Manny Hernandez, sr.
- Kevin Schmit
Schedule
Fri, Aug 30, Conant at Addison Trail, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Sep 6, Addison Trail at Downers Grove North, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Sep 13, Addison Trail at Proviso East, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Sep 20, Glenbard West at Addison Trail, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Sep 27, Addison Trail at Willowbrook, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Oct 4, Downers Grove South at Addison Trail, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Oct 11, Leyden at Addison Trail, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Oct 18, Addison Trail at Hinsdale South, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Oct 25, Morton at Addison Trail, 7:30 p.m.