Libertyville prepared to bounce back
After a disappointing 4-5 season in 2009, Libertyville is ready to turn over a new leaf.
With a new offense.
How excited is head coach Randy Kuceyeski about his team's new look?
"I'm coaching offense for the first time in 33 years," said Kuceyeski, who is known as a defensive guru. "This new offense is bringing a whole new attitude to our program. The coaches are excited about it and the kids are reflecting the enthusiasm we have for it."
Libertyville will replace its Wing-T offense with a new spread offense that should infuse new energy into the program while also taking advantage of the athleticism of quarterback A.J. Schurr.
Schurr started all nine games for the Wildcats last year. His second straight year behind center is a luxury for Libertyville, which hasn't featured a returning quarterback since 2002.
"The spread can be (a complicated offense), but with A.J. back, that helps. He's a very heady quarterback anyway. He's also a great runner and very athletic and that helps in this type of offense. We know that he can bring a lot to the table with the run and the pass. He's one of the top players coming back in the area.
"Plus, we have the athletes who can go with him."
Schurr rolled up nearly 1,500 yards last season, with a big chunk of them (1,100 yards) coming through the air. That ratio could be similar this year considering that two of Libertyville's other big weapons on offense are wide receivers Jeremy Birck and Andrew O'Sullivan.
Both Birck and O'Sullivan are experienced and big. They stand 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-4, respectively.
"I think Jeremy could be our go-to guy," Kuceyeski said. "He has a lot of confidence."
In the backfield, the Wildcats will turn to Jake Duguid, who missed the last half of last season with an injury. He's healthy and will share touches with Demarqus Wilson, Matt Molitor, Mack Thurman, Ryan Barth and sophomore Brian Swift.
They'll run behind an offensive line that isn't huge, but is quick. Returning starters Aaron Banduch, Matt Jacobson and Brady Schmidt will lead the way.
Defensively, Libertyville returns five starters, including linebackers Sean Abel, Bobby Borgeson and Luke Mathewson, lineman Matt Gilbert and back Teddy Kelley.
"Our defense has had to work hard too with this new offense because the offense is high-risk," Kuceyeski said. "We could throw an interception or turn the ball over and they'll be right back out there in 40 seconds.
"But we're hoping we'll also be able to come back quickly from mistakes because it's a (high-reward) offense, too.
"As coaches we really bought into doing this because we thought that we have the athletes to do it and also because we were willing to do something new to spark a new interest in our program."
LIBERTYVILLE
Probable starters
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB A.J. Schurr 6-1/185 Sr.
TB Conor Shoellhorn 5-10/190
HB Jake Duguid 6-0/185 Sr.
HB Matt Molitor 5-10/160
WR Andrew O'Sullivan 6-4/200 Sr.
WR Jeremy Birck 6-5/180 Sr.
OL Nick Carlino 5-11/180 Soph.
OL Lucas Weiss 5-11/205
OL Matt Jacobson 6-0/210 Sr.
OL Brady Schmidt 6-2/270 Sr.
OL Keller Toral 6-0/200
OL Aaron Banduch 6-4/210 Sr.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DL Brandon Stanfel 6-4/210 Soph.
DL Matt Gilbert 6-1/240 Sr.
DL Richard Cline 6-4/245
DL Logan Klepac 5-10/175 Soph.
LB Sean Abel 6-2/220 Sr.
LB Bobby Borgeson 5-11/200 Jr.
LB Luke Mathewson 6-4/205 Jr.
LB Erich Banduch 6-3/180 Sr.
DB Teddy Kelley 6-0/175 Sr.
DB A.J. Schmidt 5-10/150 Soph.
DB Nick Glass 5-9/150 Sr.
DB Max Ebert 5-11/175