Aurora Central Catholic beefs up
An 0-fer season is never much fun but 2008 is over and done. Aurora Central Catholic coach Mike Curry looks at his 2009 roster and likes what he sees.
Bulked up both in size and numbers - 38 this season compared to 29 in 2008. Curry may not field great speed, but he's hoping bigger and stronger counts for something.
"I'm pretty optimistic," said Curry, an Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Famer in his 35th overall season, 23rd as ACC's head man.
"I think we're going to be better than we were last year, only because of up front on offense we're bigger. We're a year older, we have two starters coming back on the offensive line and they're all bigger and stronger."
Plug 271-pound newcomer Adam Blake into an offensive line that returns starters John Belovich and Tyler Scott, plus 248-pound Mario Alanis and 225-pound Mike Ryan and the Chargers should have the point-of-attack heft required in the grueling Suburban Christian Conference Blue division.
Curry said the 225-pound Scott boys - Tyler and twin brother Andrew, a running back-slash-linebacker - worked like crazy in the weight room. The senior duo ranked first and third in tackles last season.
"They're farm kids, they're used to hard work. They're used to getting through difficult things."
That they did. The Chargers allowed 401.8 yards per game and were minus-8 in turnover ratio.
"We've got to begin with the defensive line and stop people," Curry said.
Last year's top Charger, quarterback Mike Adams, has graduated. Taking the helm of the offense is junior Stewart DeWaard, nice-sized at 6-2, 181. Curry will remain primarily in a spread scheme but keep things relatively simple while DeWaard gets his feet wet.
Seniors Alex Schaefer and Andrew Scott and junior Zach Tobin head the running back corps. Curry is impressed with his group of sure-handed receivers though like many on this squad, they lack varsity reps.
Though 14 starters return, Curry said how those juniors play - and how everybody tackles - will drive ACC's chances.
"I don't know how many games we're going to win this year," Curry said, "but we're better than last year."