Hersey looks to continue improvement
Hersey has seen the improvement of its football program under Dragan Teonic in the win column and the numbers game.
Now a team with nearly 70 players is ready to take a big leap after going from three to four victories. And the Huskies know what they need to do to reach the postseason for the first time in eight years.
“Turnovers (20 last year) and the crux of our problem is we were so porous up front with sacks and negative plays,” Teonic said. “We have to get better there and I think we have.
“I’m hesitant to say we’re better but we’re more athletic up front. It’s exciting to see and I’m anxious to see how it’s going to look.”
Avoiding injuries is also crucial after they hampered the Huskies last year. They have depth up front where center Bobby Jaacks returns.
There are plenty of threats as David Jackowski, Hunter Rollins and Mario Thomas can carry the ball. There are big targets in 6-foot-4 Jim Olsen, 6-2 Michael Messer and 6-1 Eddie Miklasz for senior quarterback Quinn Orlandi.
“Quinn has got it together,” Teonic said. “It’s going to be fun to see what’s going to happen here.”
Hersey’s defense was much improved last year as it allowed 276 yards a game and forced 25 turnovers for a plus-5 ratio. The linebacker crew is solid with Rollins, Grant Burke, Matt Korff and Jim Thomsen.
Defensive lineman Nate Fakhouri back for his third varsity season and Jaacks will see some time up front. The secondary will be the big question but the Huskies hope free safety Jack Carso can help provide some answers.
“We’re getting better and getting closer but we’re not there yet,” Teonic said. “We have better numbers and better accountability. There’s a different feel around here.”
One where the Huskies hope they have to account for playing beyond Week 9.
Probable starters
Huskies at a glance
Coach: Dragan Teonic (third year, 7-11)
Last year: 4-5, 2-3 (4th East)
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB Quinn Orlandi 6-4/210 Sr.
RB Mario Thomas 5-9/175 Jr.
LT Lendell Hargrove 6-0/190 Sr.
LG Matt Thoms 6-0/200 Sr.
C Bobby Jaacks 6-0/230 Sr.
RG Chris Collins 6-0/230 Jr.
or Ed Beyer 6-1/215 Sr.
RT Mark Jacks 6-1/195 Sr.
WR David Jackowski 5-10/175 Sr.
WR Hunter Rollins 5-11/190 Sr.
WR Eddie Miklasz 6-1/180 Jr.
WR Jim Olsen 6-4/185 Sr.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DL Ed Beyer 6-1/215 Sr.
DL Nate Fakhouri 5-11/210 Jr.
DL Joe Bellafiore 6-0/200 Sr.
LB Jim Thomsen 6-0/200 Sr.
LB Grant Burke 5-11/190 Jr.
LB Matt Korff 5-11/180 Sr.
LB Hunter Rollins 5-11/190 Sr.
LB Ryan Cella 5-11/180 Sr.
CB Brandon Veenendaal 5-10/175 Sr.
CB Brad Jensen 5-11/175 Sr.
S Jack Carso 5-11/175 Sr.