Return to playoffs is Crystal Lake South's goal
Crystal Lake South was one of the best football teams in the state to not make the playoffs in 2014.
The Gators finished 4-5 against a schedule that included seven teams with winning records, five of which qualified for the playoffs.
Nothing illustrated that strength of schedule more than their 51 playoff points (opponents' wins), which far exceeded the at-large playoff threshold of 39 points for 5-4 bubble teams.
In fact, of last year's 256 IHSA playoff qualifiers, only Brother Rice (56), Wheaton Warrenville South (53) and Sycamore (52) amassed more playoff points.
However, those numbers were of little solace to the Gators, who missed the postseason for the second straight year in the wake of a 12-year run of playoff appearances.
"Our goal is to get back in the playoffs and we hope to battle for the conference title to the end like we did last year when we had a chance to tie if we had beaten Cary (in Week 9)," sixth-year coach CL South coach Chuck Ahsmann said. " We were one game short of another championship.
"At this time of year, you have to be optimistic and we are. We have some kids that can play on defense, a returning quarterback, a returning running back and a few big linemen."
The offense returns all-FVC Valley running back Corey Sheehan. Last season he rushed for 933 yards and 5 touchdowns in 171 tries (5.5 avg.). The 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior also caught 9 passes for 65 yards.
Among those clearing a path for Sheehan is 6-foot-5, 285-pound tackle Kevin Amren, who is getting looks from mid-major Division-I programs, his coach said. Junior Frank Harenza started the final 2 games of last season. They and the rest of CL South's linemen will serve as mentors to Trevor Keegan, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound freshman who Ahsmann says is the first lineman in program history to start as a ninth-grader.
"I have a hard time believing he's a 14-year-old freshman," Ahsmann said. "He's got a bright future ahead of him if he works hard. Our program has gotten a lot of publicity through the years for the linemen who have come out of here like Fahn Cooper (Ole Miss) and Jake Bernstein (Vanderbilt). He has a chance to follow that path."
Another key puzzle piece is junior quarterback Luke Nolan (6-3, 170). He gained varsity experience as a sophomore by starting the last 2 games of the season and completing 7 of 16 attempts for 46 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Defensively, the Gators return senior inside linebacker Dylan Sambrano (5-11, 210). He snared an interception in a Week 8 win over Jacobs that helped keep the Gators' playoff and division title hopes alive. He is joined by returning senior outside linebacker Scott Coughlin (5-9, 150) and junior rover Michael Swiatly (6-1, 185), who moved up to varsity last season with four games to play.
The first line of defense is senior Buddy Gabric. He played on the offensive line last year but has earned a permanent position at nose guard. The last line of defense is Sheehan, whose speed will once again be a factor at strong safety.
"I like the guys we have out there," Ahsmann said of coordinator Rob Fontana's defense. "I feel we're strong up the middle with Buddy, Sambrano and Sheehan. It's a matter of other guys stepping in and making plays."