Rolling Meadows seeks postseason return
Missing out on the football postseason for the first time in eight years definitely affected Rolling Meadows’ off-season.
And Matt Mishler liked what he saw in his first year in charge of the Mustangs.
“The kids really responded well and had a really good summer,” Mishler said. “There was a lot of great effort and hard work and that was the tone we were trying to set.”
Meadows hopes getting back to the playoffs is the biggest change in a season where Mishler replaces Doug Millsaps and there are new coordinators with Steve Kolodziej on offense and Scott Otahal on defense.
Kolodziej, who quarterbacked Schaumburg to second place in the state in 1999, is Mishler’s brother-in-law and came over from Buffalo Grove. So Kolodziej is familiar with the skills of returnees in quarterback Jack Milas, running back Garrett Peterson and receivers Ryan Gundersen and Artie Checchin.
“There’s no doubt we have loads of talent,” Kolodziej said. “The big thing we’ve tried to get the kids to understand is if you put all the focus on the little things, the big things will take care of themselves.”
Milas threw for 523 yards with 10 touchdowns and 4 interceptions before injuring his right thumb. He has experienced targets in Checchin (28 catches, 539 yards, 7 TDs), Gundersen (26 for 450, 6 TDs) and Tyler Bobowski (13 for 112).
Peterson enters his third varsity season and injuries limited him to 376 yards and 5 TDs as a junior. Nick Leidecker and Kevin Puleo return up front on the left side.
“The change has probably been the most difficult on those guys and they’ve done a great job of handling that,” Kolodziej said. “They’re an extremely intelligent group.”
Losing a talented linebacker crew led by two-time all-area pick Colin Buscarini has Meadows switching to a base four-man front with two linebackers.
Bobby Rundlett returns to start at tackle and end Raul Cortez started two-thirds of the year before blowing out a knee. Tackle John Garcia was hurt in Week 2 and a comeback attempt failed.
“He was probably our best defensive lineman last year,” said Otahal, who has been a varsity assistant since 1999. “Having him back for a full season is really big for us.”
So is having senior Miles Urban back from injury at inside linebacker with Scott Purcell. Checchin and David Hogan return to start at cornerback and Gundersen will play a flex position that requires safety pass coverage and linebacker run-stopping skills.
“I definitely think we can play fast,” Otahal said, “and we’ll be physical enough, especially with the front four.”
Mustangs at a glance
Coach: Matt Mishler (first year)
Last year: 4-5, 2-3 (T3rd East)
Probable starters
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht./Wt. Yr.
QB Jack Milas 6-1/193 Jr.
TB Garrett Peterson 5-11/179 Sr.
LT Nick Leidecker 6-4/220 Sr.
LG Kevin Puleo 6-0/185 Sr.
C Mark Schmid 5-11/200 Jr.
RG Alex Rojas 5-8/190 Jr.
RT Matt Long 6-2/200 So.
WR Artie Checchin 6-2/186 Sr.
WR Ryan Gundersen 6-1/188 Sr.
WR Tyler Bobowski 5-7/158 Sr.
WR John Burkiewicz 5-11/160 Jr.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht./Wt. Yr.
DE Raul Alba-Cortez 6-1/226 Jr.
DT Bobby Rundlett 5-10/216 Sr.
DT John Garcia 5-8/235 Sr.
DE David Sobkowicz 6-3/190 Jr.
ILB Scott Purcell 5-11/176 Sr.
ILB Miles Urban 5-10/170 Sr.
Flex Ryan Gundersen 6-1/188 Sr.
CB Artie Checchin 6-2/186 Sr.
CB David Hogan 5-11/151 Sr.
FS Josh Wiedman 5-10/161 Sr.
SS Derek Heer 5-11/156 Sr.