Football: Mundelein hopes the winning is just beginning

After a 3-0 start last season, Mundelein saw hungry fans across town excitedly jump on the bandwagon.

It was the Mustangs' best start in years. And Mundelein's final record of 4-5 in 2015 was its best record since a five-win season in 2004.

"It was exciting for the community for us to get four wins. It was nice to see the town get behind us," said Mundelein coach Larry Calhoun, who was in his first season last year. "We built some nice momentum."

The Mustangs are still in building mode.

Calhoun says the program will have one more year of low numbers before depth will begin to materialize.

The varsity team features around 40 players, but the freshman and sophomore teams boast around 100 players total.

"The older classes, the guys who were here before we got here, haven't really come around to believing yet," Calhoun said. "So we're going to have one more year where our varsity numbers are low.

"But the younger guys are coming out and we're going to have better numbers with those guys. If we have to, we'll bring up some sophomores."

While depth will be an issue for the varsity this year, a solid running game will not. Back at running back is Aaron Woolford, who has the capability to break off big runs on any carry.

"He is a man on a mission," Calhoun said of Woolford. "There were times last year where I might have questioned his commitment, but this summer, he has worked so hard and he has led the team by example. He is in such great shape, he is so talented. He will make a big difference for us."

Woolford is one of eight returning starters back for Mundelein. Most of them will play both offense and defense. Woolford also plays safety.

Mitch Sharer and Dane Shultz return on the line while Lucas Zepeda is back at tight end and middle linebacker, Sabian Rivera is back at wide receiver and linebacker, Alex Loding is back at center, Nolan Seeger is back on the defensive line and Shane Kosmach is back at wide receiver and cornerback.

New to the fold is quarterback Anthony Norris, the quarterback of the sophomore team last year. He faces the task of filling the shoes of Colten Fisher, who was the focal point of the offense last season.

Fisher passed for 803 yards and 7 touchdowns while rushing for 1,608 yards and 18 touchdowns.

"Anthony isn't the same type of player Colten was. We're not necessarily looking for him to break off 60-yard runs," Calhoun said. "But he will run the ball and he has a strong arm and can throw the ball. He's a tall kid who can see the field and distribute the football."

Three other newcomers should also make significant contributions for the Mustangs. Isaiah Wellman moved in last year but did not play football. He's a wide receiver and running back. Jeff Morton is a baseball player who can play all over the field and Nick Fisher, Colten's younger brother, is a wide receiver and safety.

"Last year, so much went through Colten," Calhoun said. "This year, I think we're going to be much more of a multi-threat team instead of a team where the defense gangs up on one guy. It will be 'pick your poison' a little more to defend us."