A ‘wing-banger’ of a workout for suburban football teams at Downers Grove South’s 7-on-7
Montini gets psyched up to face larger schools at an event like Downers Grove South’s “Hit Hard” 7-on-7 on Saturday.
Even with 10 returning defensive starters and eight back on offense from a Class 3A semifinalist, coach Mike Bukovsky knows the Broncos need all the quality reps they can get to prepare them for the CCL/ESCC grind.
“Obviously the whole situation comes down to our regular-season schedule,” he said. “Playing in the Catholic League, every game is a wing-banger every week, so we’ve got to be ready for that.
“We feel if we can get back into the playoffs we’ll be a team to contend with.”
Danged if there weren’t some real wing-bangers out there Saturday, including Montini’s quarterback tandem of Gaetano Carbonara and sophomore transfer Izzy Abrams.
“We’ve got a great situation,” Bukovsky said. “They’ll both play.”
The talent at quarterback included Downers Grove North’s Owen Lansu, back after leading the Trojans to the 2023 Class 7A title game as a sophomore; Hinsdale Central’s Riley Contreras, who has returners Finn Cain, Kelan McInerney and Jack Lesniewicz to throw to; and Wheaton Warrenville South’s Luca Carbonaro.
“We’ve been having chemistry our whole four years,” said Tigers receiver Amari Williams, a Northern Illinois recruit who won a 300-meter hurdles state title less than two months ago, of working with Carbonaro.
“It’s our final year, our senior year, so just being able to show the crowd what we can do is amazing. That’s our plan,” Williams said.
Dealing against Waubonsie Valley, WW South, Minooka and Montini, Hinsdale Central’s Contreras showed velocity, touch and accuracy on his passes — and on defense drifted back into coverage to make an interception.
“He’s got some weapons,” said Red Devils coach Brian Griffin. “And our offensive line (featuring Gene Riordan and Ryan McGarry), I think we’ve got all but one back. We’re expecting to rise to the next level.”
Offense gets the attention at these things, but Naperville North’s defense excited Huskies head coach Sean Drendel and defensive coordinator Chris Arthurs.
They pointed out linebacker Tyler Sternstein and cornerbacks Kai Williams and Jordan Robinson. Robinson intercepted two Crystal Lake Central passes.
“Our defense is attacking the ball a little bit better, which is something we’ve been focusing on,” Drendel said.
Adam Pucylowski is getting his first taste of 7-on-7s as a head coach, in his first year at Waubonsie Valley.
Defensive coordinator the last three seasons at Naperville Central for Mike Ulreich, Pucylowski also has experience assisting Redhawks hall of famer Mike Stine and, at North Central College, John Thorne.
He’s got a battle at quarterback between senior Josh Siekierski and junior Colin Ford.
“Either one will do great work for us,” Pucylowski said.
Larkin’s Vincent Ray also is early in his head coaching career, his second season. Ray is a veteran, though, a 1996 Fremd graduate who assisted for a decade in Palatine.
“I learned under Mike Donatucci and Brent Pearlman. Those are my guys,” Ray said.
He’s also got a son on the Royals, slot receiver Ryan Ray, who with wideout Donald Clark Jr. and Juan Patino was catching the deliveries of quarterback Julius Yandell Jr.
Downers South also hosted a lineman’s challenge. Crystal Lake Central broke a first-place tie with Minooka by winning a tug of war.
WW South and Downers South also were in the running, the host Mustangs led by center Johnny Klaeren, tight end James Pieropoulos and defensive tackle Cobi Spraggins.
“Figure it out” was Downers South coach Mark Molinari’s tagline for the linemen’s tire flip relay. It was like that also for the players who threw, caught and defended the pass.
“It’s just development now,” said Glenbard East senior receiver Chris Renford.
“This is really just to get our rhythm down with the quarterbacks and get as many reps in game situations as possible. It’s really all timing and rhythm today. Competition.”