Cardamone, Maine West expect a dose of winning

Before Mike Cardamone embarks on a career as pharmacist, he hopes to produce the prescription to change the fortunes of the Maine West football program.

The senior and two-time all-Central Suburban North linebacker-wide receiver believes a turnaround is on the horizon after consecutive 2-win seasons.

"We definitely have more speed and more guys who can contribute to give us more threats," Cardamone said. "The attitude is different. With the kids this year there is a little more of a desire than we had last year.

"The kids this year are showing they want to be here and they want to win and they want to give the effort."

Fourth-year Maine West coach Chris Hare can't think of a better player to lead the way on and off the field. Cardamone has a 4.4 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and scored 33 on the ACT.

"Mike is a leader on offense and defense," Hare said. "He's a phenomenal, phenomenal kid."

Cardamone and the Warriors want to pick up where they left off last year. They beat Niles North in Week 8 and then lost 13-7 to CSL North champion Highland Park in the finale.

"It definitely gave us a boost leading to the off-season and preparation this year," said Cardamone, who is looking to play at Drake or Butler where he can also do his pharmaceutical studies. "We struggled last year but to finish strong like that - it gave us a great start.

"I feel a lot better this year. The effort and attitude is so much higher than it's been around here."

Winning would be the perfect prescription to continue that feeling.