Leyden Eagles veterans a force this year

Leyden football coach Tom Cerasani is hoping it's time for a return to the postseason.

The West Suburban Gold champs in 2012, the Eagles struggled to a 2-7 record last year and a 3-6 mark the year before that.

And with only four returning starters from last year, at first glance it might seem like another rebuilding year.

Not so fast.

Those four returners, Cerasani says, could be difference-makers. Coupled with a very deep and talented junior class, Leyden is thinking postseason again.

"We're looking at qualifying for the playoffs," Cerasani said. "With this group, that's realistic. And for the juniors, if we're able to do that, it would be a great springboard into their senior year."

Senior tailback David DeMarais (5-foot-10, 175) rushed for more than 700 yards last year after six starts at his position; he headlines the returning skill-position players and will serve as a captain. Senior Marco Cano (6-1, 215) is the top returning offensive lineman.

Defensively, senior inside linebacker Steven Gulo (5-7, 185) extends a proud family tradition of contributing to the Leyden program and will be a captain. Senior outside linebacker Alan Jaffray (5-9, 165) has the kind of athleticism Cerasani thinks will make a difference.

But until some of the juniors and other inexperience players have made the adjustment to starting varsity games, Leyden's coach is preaching patience.

"I'm thinking there will be sharp learning curve through our first few Fridays," he said, "but we'll be getting better every week."

Some of the key juniors include quarterback Mike Wilms (5-11, 185), receiver/defensive back Jalen Moore (5-10, 161), and strong safety Dom Fredrickson (5-9, 165).

Cerasani doesn't expect Wilms to fit the recent mold of productive Leyden passers but says he'll bring running skills that will be an advantage.

Moore's big plus is the kind of speed "we just don't get very much at Leyden," according to Cerasani. "He can be a special kid, a difference-maker."

Fredrickson will team with sophomore strong safety Ata Hinnawi (5-11, 160) to give Leyden an especially agile and athletic defensive secondary.

If nothing else, it would be helpful if some of Leyden's contests were more competitive this fall.

In the Eagles' 2-7 campaign last fall, they had running clocks in both of their lopsided wins, over Proviso East and Morton. And they found themselves on the other side of a running clock in losses to Oak Park and Lyons.

This fall, Leyden opens up with three straight road games - a nonconference opener at Fenton on Friday before a West Suburban crossover at York, and a Week 3 WSC Gold Division afternoon opener at Proviso East at Saturday, Sept. 12.

"We'll have good speed in our secondary, and enough skill kids to make our fair share of plays," Cerasani said. "We need answers on our offensive and defensive lines. If we can address those issues up front, we'll be fine."