New faces as Harper reloads football team

The Harper College football team has a lot in common with a certain political campaign promise change.

The Hawks will start the 2009 season with a new head coach after the departure of Dragan Teonic and 17 starters now at four-year schools following an NJCAA non-scholarshship school national title.

Enter new coach Eric Waldstein, who joins the Harper coaching staff from Cornell College (Iowa). Waldstein won a CCIW title while he was the linebackers coach at Carthage College.

The Hawks will not look much different from a scheme standpoint with a combination of power and a spread offenses.

Waldstein said the only difference might be that "we want to run a little more than what they have done in the past. I want to be more 50/50. (run pass)."

Not only do the Hawks have a new head coach but they will also have a new starting quarterback after the graduation of starter Garret Barnas, who walked on at Northern Illinois and was moved to safety.

But the Hawks have yet to decide on a quarterback for Saturday's 1 p.m. home opener against Midwest Football Conference foe College of DuPage. Waldstein said he would make a decision by the end of the week as Pat Czerwiec (Ridgewood) and Cam Kinley (Larkin) have been battling in the preseason.

"Cam is more of a gunslinger he makes some throws that some guys would be scared to throw." said Waldstein. "Pat is a real field general. He does a great job of leadership on the field. And makes some really good decisions on the field but they both do some really nice things."

Barnas, defensive end Kyle Jenkins and punter Ryan Fillingham will be suiting up at NIU. The wide receiving corps was hit hard with the graduation of John Baldwin (Upper Iowa University) and Eric Watts.

However the Hawks will not be lacking leadership this season. There is sophomore defensive lineman Freddy Malowski (6-foot-5, 260 pounds) from Lake Park.

"A very good football player," Waldstein said. "He probably has all-American potential."

Also at linebacker are Blair Lane (Tulsa Union, 5-10, 220) and Ryan Hourigan (Palatine, 6-3, 230).

"Ryan has only one speed. That's full-go. He is a big, physical kid," said Waldstein.

Filling in the gaps at receiver are Brian LeSeur (Barrrington) and Dello Davis. Davis earned all conference honors a year ago. He has great hands and is one of the most athletic kids on the team.

Waldstein said Davis is "pound for pound (5-7, 165) one of the toughest kids in the conference."

But look for six newcomers to make an early contribution for the Hawks this season - running back Rodrick Alton (St. Louis), massive offensive lineman Ron Havor (6-4, 330), defensive linemen Even Vanklei (Crystal Lake Central) and John King (Grant), safety Chris Buonavolanto (Lake Park) and Tom Bychowski (Grant).