Previewing: Benet Academy

The growing pains of new offensive and defensive schemes were evident with Benet's football team last season.

This year the Redwings' 39 seniors are all grown up.

Even though only six starters return, a full season playing a spread offense and 3-5-3 defense should bring tremendous improvement to this year's team.

"It was a tough year, but the kids picked it up pretty well," said Redwings coach Gary Goforth. "I think this group has the potential to get in the playoffs."

Only two juniors figure to start on defense, where experience is spread from front to back. Lineman Nick Melka, linebacker Mike Runger, cornerback T.J. Milano and safety Phil Schmidt represent the four returning starters.

Goforth is also high on linebacker David Cannon and lineman John Cannova on a unit that plans to be extremely physical. In a rugged conference like the East Suburban Catholic, it's a must for the Redwings.

"We didn't match up physically with a lot of teams last year," Goforth said. "The kids played hard, but we were kind of overmatched. Physically this will be one of the strongest teams we've had."

Only two starters return on offense but, keeping with the physical theme, both are on the line. Cannova, a tackle last year, will move to center while Pat Flavin is back after starting last season as a sophomore.

Dual-threat quarterback Luke Terna takes over behind center. The spread will rely on receivers Connor Nelligan and Dylan Flood while a running game by committee will feature efforts from Mike Kamykowski, E.J. Howe, Cannon and Pat Boyle.

East Suburban Catholic powers Carmel, Joliet Catholic, Marist and Nazareth may garner all the interest in the preseason, but Benet hopes to join the barrage of teams aiming for a playoff berth.

"This team is kind of under the radar, which is fine with me," Goforth said.