Football: On balance, Leyden's feeling optimistic
Leyden football coach Tom Cerasani looked at his 2016 Eagles and couldn't help thinking how much they reminded him of his last West Suburban Gold championship team and playoff qualifier from 2010.
"There are a lot of similarities," Cerasani said. "They are both undersized, athletic and tough. But this year's team is more balanced offensively and defensively."
The Eagles are coming off of a 4-5 season in which they lost 4 games by a total of 12 points. Leyden, which allowed just 15 points per game, lost a pair of games by 1 point, another by 3 and another by 7.
Cerasani says those losses should actually pay dividends this fall.
"These kids went through a lot last year," said Cersani, who returns 14 starters from that team. "We had a chance to win all those games. But those games should catapult them this season in how to play in tight games."
Michael Wilms, who started last year at quarterback for the Eagles, will be back this season.
"That's a huge help," Cerasani said. "He has grown as a leader and passer. There is something about have a senior quarterback that you just can't duplicate."
The Eagles will have a tough time replacing David DeMarais, who gained 919 yards last year as an all-area running back. Cerasani will look to Fabian Vega and Proviso West transfer Donovan Brown to pick up the slack.
The Eagles should be flying at wide receiver with Dom Fredrickson, who will never come off the field for Leyden, and speedster Jalen Moore, who already has committed to Southern Illinois to play corner, working on the edges. Ata Hiwani and Josh Cuban should also see lots of action while tight end Azu Whigham has great hands and size (6-foot-2, 215).
Generally, though, size will somewhat be an issue for the offensive line. The Eagles return Lennart Virzi (6-3, 195) and Juan Lopez (5-9, 240). They will get help from Juan Navarro (5-10, 235) and Eddie Dymitrowicz (5-9, 27). Leyden does have junior Carlos Castillo (6-4, 295), who is beginning to turn heads with his strength and athleticism.
Defensively, Cerasani feels that his backfield is the best he has had in his 11 years at Leyden.
"They are very athletic and play to the whistle," Cerasani said. "The will be the heart and soul of our defense."
His secondary includes Moore and Fredrickson along with Justin Aleman and Hinnawi. At linebacker look for Kevin Nevarez, Taylor Morioka, Brian Szopinski and Miguel Copper.
Whigham will anchor the defensive front in the 3-4 scheme at strong side tackle, with Robert Somers at nose and Jake Wojcik at the other tackle.
Cerasani likes his team's chances for a conference title.
"I feel pretty good about it," Cerasani said. "The conference is very competitive, and the past five years it has been up for grabs."