Juniors must step up for Dundee-Crown
A youth movement is afoot in Carpentersville.
If Dundee-Crown is to improve on its 2008 record of 3-6 overall and 0-5 in the rugged Valley Division of the Fox Valley Conference, several juniors must contribute right away.
"We've gotten better every day in practice, but the guys are so young I really don't know what will happen at this point," sixth-year Dundee-Crown coach Mike Davis said. "I think we can be OK. It's a matter of how they react once the game starts."
One such junior is quarterback Tanner Kotlan (5-10, 160), who will replace two-year starter Logan Kissack (Elmhurst College) in a new offensive scheme to be unveiled tonight against Elgin. "He's looked pretty good in practice," Davis said. "He reads things pretty well. He may not have an arm as strong as Logan's, but he's pretty accurate and he knows what he's doing."
Providing protection will be returning seniors Mike Camacho (6-2, 275) at tackle and guard Josh Boyle (5-10, 210). Juniors will fill line positions vacated by graduation. Senior tight end Geoff Clifford (6-6, 215) is another blocker and provides a big target for Kotlan.
"We've looked OK in practice so far," Davis said of the line. "They've done everything we've asked them to do."
Senior Mateusz Drodz (5-10, 205) will play fullback. He saw limited carries last year (24-58 yards) behind a senior-laden backfield. Juniors Danny Sharp (5-8, 160) and Steve Schwartz (5-7, 160) will see time at tailback.
Senior Nick Torres (5-10, 165) leads a corps of wide receivers that includes seniors Zach Vodicka (5-10, 175), Eric Luna (5-8, 165) and Matt Blunk (5-10, 175), juniors Brandon Stone (5-10, 165), Tulsa Bates (5-8, 160), Dan Jaskowiak (5-9, 170) and Nick Bosshart (5-9, 175) and sophomore Julian Duarte (5-10, 175).
Defensively, the Chargers return three starters: Drodz at inside linebacker and Clifford and Boyle on the defensive line. Torres gained some experience at cornerback in limited duty.
Others who have impressed in fall camp, according to Davis, are senior outside linebacker Ryan Hagan (6-1, 190), senior inside linebacker Dan Freund (5-10, 180) and senior linemen James Stanke (5-10, 260) and Mike Hubbell (6-2, 350).
Fortunately, the young Chargers won't be thrown into the same fire they've faced in their last two season openers. Geneva, a Class 7A state semifinalist last season, has been replaced on the Dundee-Crown schedule by Elgin, which finished with a record of 1-8 last year. The Maroons should be an improved team this season, but they provide a much fairer challenge than Geneva.
We've got to get off to a good start," Davis said. "That's very important - not necessarily even winning the games - but if we go out there and play well, at least the players can realize they can play at the varsity level. If we go out there and play poorly, we could be in a lot of trouble.
"We're young and we don't have a lot of depth. We can't afford injuries."