Dundee-Crown has high hopes with Kissack at controls
One-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand.
That's the average time it takes an NFL quarterback to drop back and throw a successful pass, according to a study done by the Sporting News.
Make it four-one-thousand for a high school quarterback, adjusting for the talent curve.
If Dundee-Crown's inexperienced offensive line manages to give senior quarterback Logan Kissack four seconds of protection and its running backs the occasional open hole, Kissack and five skilled returning seniors could provide D-C with a dynamic offense.
The returning talent on the offensive side of the ball includes tight end Brendan Schumacher (6-foot-2, 190 pounds), three-year varsity running back Ian Salvatini (5-8, 160), wide receiver Justin Strzelczyk (5-10, 175), three-year varsity fullback Tommy Newman (5-10, 195) and versatile Jeff Beck (6-1, 180), an athlete who can switch between receiver and fullback.
However, only one lineman, Victor Domich (5-10, 185), saw the field much last season when the Chargers finished 1-8.
"If we can get any type of line play we'll be we'll be competitive," Dundee-Crown coach Mike Davis said. "Our assets are our skill guys, so we have to give them time to get the ball or give them a hole to run through. It's the same thing you can say about any season, but that's going to be the key."
Kissack has good feet and can buy himself time in the pocket or roll out for a better look. With more time he can undoubtedly improve on last year's totals of 45 completions in 120 attempts for 511 yards, 4 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
"He's looked very good," Davis said of his quarterback. "In the off-season Logan did a lot of camp and clinic stuff and he's matured a lot. He's not making the silly mistakes he made last year as a junior. He looks really, really good. If we can give him the time, I think he'll have a nice year."
Several players will play both ways. Cornerbacks Strzelczyk and Salvatini both saw the field a lot last year. They'll be joined in the secondary by safety Frank Negri (5-11, 170), who didn't start last year but saw meaningful playing time. He's a big hitter, fearless against the run. Junior Tyler Brown has impressed in camp and will get the nod at the other safety position. Newman returns at linebacker.
Domich is the only defensive lineman with much game experience. As is the case on the offensive side of the ball, few of the defensive linemen boast girth. Six Chargers on the roster of 45 top 200 pounds.
That makes for a tough assignment in the opener against highly touted Geneva, which returns massive linemen on both sides of the ball and running back Michael Ratay, who rushed for 1,700 yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior. The Vikings have won four straight conference titles and reached the Class 7A quarterfinals last year before bowing out to East St. Louis.
But the schedule then gives the Chargers a chance to get their sea legs with games at Streamwood (1-8), at Grayslake North (1-8) and home against Grayslake Central (0-9). Dundee-Crown beat Streamwood 49-14 last season for its only win, Grayslake Central was not on the schedule and the Chargers have never faced Grayslake North.
"Those are three games where we should be competitive," Davis said. "Streamwood's like us. They'll be better than they were last year. Grayslake North's got some big kids, but those are games that we can win."
It's a schedule that gives the Chargers a realistic chance to enter the Valley Division opener on Sept. 26 against Woodstock with a .500 record or better.
Especially if they can buy Kissack four seconds.