Scouting the Benet Redwings
Benet senior quarterback Colin Gillespie faced his share of challenges while starting two seasons in the rugged East Suburban Catholic Conference.
This year is no different. Well, maybe a little.
The Redwings and the ESCC merged with the Chicago Catholic League to form a six-division superconference for football. Benet is grouped with St. Laurence, De La Salle and Nazareth.
Whatever the competition, Gillespie's ready to lead the way.
"He's one of the best quarterbacks I've had," said Benet coach Pat New. "And he's probably the best athlete on the team so we'll take advantage of that more this year."
Last season Gillespie threw for 1.461 yards and 10 touchdowns, but he also rushed for 347 yards. That's how you'll see him utilized more, especially with no true running back in the offense. You may even see Gillespie at running back and receiver.
With Luke Phillipp and Michael McGivney returning to the line, Gillespie should have time to find receivers Luca Hall, Lucas Kosiba and 6-foot-4, 180-pound freshman Pierce Walsh in addition to Miami of Ohio-bound defensive lineman Jacob Snell, who will be at tight end.
Snell and Cole Walsh combined for 7.5 sacks up front last season. Tommy O'Malley and John Walsh return to the secondary while Sean Torres, Dan Glimco and J.P. Lawler saw valuable playing time at linebacker due to injury. Linebacker John Weidenbach is another freshman.
New says the defense is ahead of the offense, but a veteran like Gillespie shouldn't have trouble getting the unit up to speed.
"A new schedule always makes you a little nervous," New said. "Our guys are prepared after what they faced (in the ESCC)."
One to watch: Loyola and St. Rita lead up to a regular-season finale against defending Class 7A champion Nazareth.
The breakdown
Coach: Pat New (10th year, 62-37.
2018 record: 6-4, 4-3, tied for fourth in East Suburban Catholic Conference.
Top players: QB Colin Gillespie, sr.; DL-TE Jacob Snell, sr.; DL Cole Walsh, sr.; OL Luke Phillipp, sr.; OL Michael McGivney, sr.; WR Luca Hall, sr.; DB-RB John Walsh, sr.; WR Lucas Kosiba, sr.; DB Tommy O'Malley, sr.; LB Dan Glimco, sr.; LB J.P. Lawler, sr.; LB-RB Sean Torres, sr.
- Kevin Schmit
Schedule
Fri, Aug 30, Benet at Naperville North, 7 p.m.
Fri, Sep 6, Moline at Benet (Benedictine University), 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Sep 13, St. Ignatius a Benet (Benedictine University), 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Sep 20, Benet at DeLaSalle, 7 p.m.
Sat, Sep 28, Marian at Benet (Benedictine University), 1:30 p.m.
Fri, Oct 4, Benet at St. Laurence, 7:30 p.m.
Sat, Oct 12, Benet at Loyola Academy, 1:30 p.m.
Fri, Oct 18, Benet at St. Rita, 7:30 p.m.
Sat, Oct 26, Nazareth at Benet (Benedictine University), 1 p.m.