Aurora Central Catholic has high hopes to improve

Like its town private-school brethren (Aurora Christian and Marmion Academy), the Aurora Central Catholic football team had a roster filled with youth in 2015.

"We struggled last year," said ACC coach John Belskis, in his second year as head coach and fourth year overall in the program (after a highly successful 24-year run as the head coach at Downers Grove South where he won 201 games and had teams that made 22 playoff appearances). "We had four seniors coming back and we played a lot of underclassmen. We installed a new system and we had our quarterback get hurt."

But that was then and as Belskis is happy to report, things are looking much brighter in the now.

"We are better in every facet," said Belskis, whose 2001 Downers South team won the state title. "How much better, we don't know yet. They have a much better understanding of things. They are a year older, a year stronger, a year quicker and a year smarter."

The Chargers, who went 3-6 a year ago, have six players back on offense, including quarterback Johnny Belskis (6-1, 170, Sr.), tailback Ryan Cerza (6-0, 175, Jr.), wide receiver Griffin Zajac (5-8, 150, Sr.) and linemen Jairo Varela (6-2, 265, Sr.), Marco Cordero (5-9, 225, Sr.) and Dan Eul (6-0, 235, Sr.). Key newcomers include sophomore running back Jeff Albert (5-10, 160) and wide receiver Jimmy Laurenti (6-1, 180, Sr.).

"The kids can run the ball, we have the ability to throw to the ball to our receivers and we can protect the quarterback," said Belskis.

On defense, returnees include Patrick Flanagan (5-10, 185, Sr., DB), Kyle Nilo (5-9, 170, Sr., DB), Zajac (DB), Jackson Robbert (6-0, 190, Jr., LB) and Brandon Warren (6-0, 185, Sr., LB). Senior Parker Henderson (6-3, 215) also started games last year at linebacker. Also back are defensive linemen Victor Ramos (5-10, 195, Sr.) and Eul. Key newcomers on defense include sophomore linebacker Garrett St. Clair (6-1, 170) and junior lineman Frankie Herrera (5-7, 205).

"We took our lumps last year," said Belskis. "With that experience and a better understanding of things and the fact that we are playing faster and more physical, we have the potential to improve. On paper, we're better. We will compete."

Belskis acknowledges the Chargers will have their work cut out for them with a challenging schedule that features the first four games against Aurora Christian, Westmont, Glenbard South and Riverside-Brookfield. ACC has switched from the larger-enrollment Blue Division of the Metro Suburban Conference to the smaller-enrollment Red Division side (with Elmwood Park, Walther Christian, Ridgewood, Chicago Christian and Guerin Prep). The games against Glenbard South and R-B, former division foes, will be crossover games this season.

"We struggled last year against some of these teams," said Belskis. "These are teams that are predicted to be good again. Out of the gates, we have to do a better job of competing so when we get into our conference schedule, we are ready to battle. Those teams like R-B and Glenbard South, we didn't compete well against last year. The goal is to compete better against those teams. You get better by playing these good teams."

Belskis added one major change this season is the expansion of the coaching staff. The Chargers will have 13 total coaches in the program this year, including six at the varsity level.

"We had two varsity assistants last year and they didn't get to practice until 4 p.m.," Belskis explained. "That's a tough situation and you can't blame the kids for it. One of our strong improvements in the off-season was upgrading the coaching staff. The kids are going to be better coached this year."

Belskis said an ace-in-the-hole for this year's group is its high character. "Our kids come here and work hard. We get the most out of them," he said. "They show up to practice and give everything they have. You can't ask for any more than that. We're working hard to change the perception around here that we're the school you call for your homecoming game."

The Chargers open up the season on the road at Aurora Christian before hosting Westmont and Glenbard South in Weeks 2 and 3.