Streamwood excited to get going under Guindon
The Streamwood football program hopes to cash in on an investment it made in youth two years ago.
Former coach Mark Orszula, who became the school's athletic director in April, started several sophomores in 2013 in hopes of developing a nucleus that could eventually return the program to the postseason.
Those young Sabres took their lumps and finished 1-8 as sophomores, but as juniors last season they helped the varsity improve to 3-6.
The now-matured, experienced collection of seniors - which includes multi-positional Tae Reetz and Brian "Nino" Adkins, quarterback/safety Keagan Cordone, 6-foot-2, 315-pound lineman Alvaro "Junior" Alvarez, linebacker Jake Painter and cornerback Jelyn Hill - is intent on returning Streamwood to postseason play for the first time since 2011.
"This is a talented group of kids," said first-year coach Don Guindon, 25, a 2007 Streamwood graduate who joined his alma mater's coaching staff in 2012. "On the field and in the weight room they've already exceeded my expectations based on what I saw of them the last two years. They're pushing each other. They've set goals. They want to make the playoffs. But we have to walk before we can run."
More to the point, the Sabres have to stop the run before they do anything else. A defense that surrendered an average of 31.6 points last season allowed 365 yards per game, 205 via the rush.
Painter, a 5-foot-10, 210-pound defensive playcaller at middle linebacker, will attempt to reverse that trend by filling holes behind run plugger Chance McCray, a 6-3, 352-pound returning lineman who squats over 400 pounds.
"He's a strong, big kid," Guindon said of McCray. "He has to be a monster for us if we're going to be successful."
Flanking Painter is returning outside linebacker Tim Crom, a center fielder for the baseball team with good speed and above-average hands.
Guindon said a team strength is the number of versatile players able to play multiple positions. Depending on the situation, he said Reetz could play linebacker or safety or spend time at running back or wide receiver. Last season, Reetz carried the ball 71 times for 376 yards and 5 touchdowns and made 15 receptions for 90 yards and a score.
Adkins and Hill will see action at corner as well as receiver. Adkins last season rushed 58 times for 376 yards, and he caught 19 passes for 114 yards. Hill is an all-state high jumper who snared an interception last year.
Cordone will use his knowledge of the quarterback position to defend other teams at safety when not under center.
Brendon Marton - a 6-foot-4 sophomore who led the school's varsity basketball team in scoring last winter as a freshman - can play quarterback, free safety and receiver. Another versatile newcomer is junior Ka'Vari Allen. He plays linebacker and running back.
"Figuring out ways to get all these assets on the field at the same time has been a creative challenge and it has made for some lively coaches' meetings," Guindon said. "But having players who can play multiple positions is a wonderful problem to have. We've had a good summer and everyone has bought in to what we're trying to do. The kids are excited to get going."