Scouting the Lisle Lions
Lisle coach Paul Parpet Sr. will not take the bait comparing this team to last year's, Lisle's strongest in decades.
"Man, it's a whole new season," he said.
He will say this group is talented, hungry, tough. The program's 65 players are the most in Parpet's six seasons with the Lions.
A key to Lisle's first 10-win season and quarterfinal appearance since 1985 and its first conference title since 1981, 240-pound Mike Walker returns 516 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns. He also made 81 tackles and fellow junior linebacker Brett Weber made 50.
Like Walker a 2018 all-Interstate Eight pick - Lisle and seven ex-IEC teams now form the new Illinois Central Eight - Dylan Laue also will carry and catch the football, as will returners Connor Nigro and Demetrius King. Parpet is high on Cole Campbell, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound sophomore back.
Quarterback Aidan Lombardo succeeds all-everything graduate Jay McGrath and has intangibles Parpet likes.
"Aidan has 'want-to.' Aidan wants to lead this team, Aidan has the skill to lead this team," the coach said.
Lombardo has veteran center Aaron Harris and guard Andrew Weston protecting him, but a question is on the defensive line. Only Anthony Raineri returns many reps.
It sounds like senior defensive tackles John Gergits and Luke Neylon are ready to go. They're among numerous players the Hall of Fame coach ticks off, including defensive back Matt Marroquin, linebacker Jack Kelly, receiver Josh Farrell and offensive linemen Jon Sears, Trevor Schertler and 6-5, 265-pound Josh Pereira.
It's a whole new journey.
"We're going to try to make the 2019 season something that our players will be able to look back on and be proud of by the effort that they put into the game," Parpet said.
One to watch: Last season Lisle beat Wilmington for the first time since 1995. The rematch comes Week 5 at Benedictine University.
The breakdown
Coach: Paul Parpet Sr. (sixth year, 26-23; 35th overall, 184-145).
2018 record: 10-2, 4-0, first in the Interstate Eight Small.
Top players: RB-DB Cole Campbell, so.; OL-DL Aaron Harris, sr.; WR-DB Demetrius King, sr.; RB-DB Dylan Laue, sr.; QB Aidan Lombardo, sr.; RB-DB Connor Nigro, sr.; TE-DL Anthony Raineri, sr.; RB-LB Mike Walker, jr.; RB-LB Brett Weber, jr.; OL Andrew Weston, sr.
- Dave Oberhelman
Schedule
Fri, Aug 30, Harvard at Lisle (Benedictine University), 7 p.m.
Fri, Sep 6, Lisle at Elmwood Park, 6 p.m.
Fri, Sep 13, Lisle at Manteno, 7 p.m.
Fri, Sep 20, Herscher at Lisle (Benedictine University), 7 p.m.
Fri, Sep 27, Wilmington at Lisle (Benedictine University), 7 p.m.
Fri, Oct 4, Lisle at Reed-Custer, 7 p.m.
Fri, Oct 11, Coal City at Lisle (Benedictine University), 7 p.m.
Fri, Oct 18, Lisle at Peotone (Peotone Jr High), 7 p.m.
Fri, Oct 25, Streator at Lisle, 7 p.m.