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Dundee-Crown, Andriola begin long road back

Reversing the fortunes of a team that enters this season on a 17-game losing streak is a clear goal of the new leader of the Dundee-Crown football program, coach Vito Andriola.

Another goal is to build better people.

“I’m a teacher first, an educator, and everything we do is based on making the kids better,” said Andriola, who was previously a head coach at Grayslake from 2001-2004 and most recently served as an assistant coach at Glenbrook South. “Sometimes people like that, sometimes people don’t. But I guarantee these kids will leave my program better people.

“Our goal is to compete in every game and have a chance to win every game. I really think that’s possible. Now, how you go about your business and your planning is important. We need to practice like a playoff team. That’s how I evaluate practice.”

The new coach said it’s impossible for him to look at any player as a returning starter because “anything before I got here doesn’t count.” However, playing time will be spread around in a mostly two-platoon system.

Offensively, junior co-captain Garrett Ryan takes over the quarterback position. “He’s a smart ballplayer,” his coach said. “He’s not big, but he’s quick and he makes good decisions and throws the ball decently. He’s a great leader.”

Ryan is working with varsity quarterbacks coach Lance Huber.

His receivers include senior Max Schell and juniors Nick Lodi and Trent Muscat.

Another player expected to be a key figure is senior running back Ardian Asani. He possesses a combination of power and speed that has impressed Andriola. Asani will be the Chargers’ primary ball carrier.

He will run behind a smaller, more athletic offensive line that includes seniors Ryan Hebert, Tyler Schuler and Dimitri Fuentes and juniors Ray Griggel and Joe Meixner.

The new coach says he likes players with “motors,” which is why senior co-captain Matt Elliot (5-10, 190) will start on the defensive line alongside senior Jimmy Kuczynski (6-0, 200).

The next line of defense includes sophomore linebacker prospect Jordan Linson. “He’s gonna be a good one,” Andriola said.

Muscat is one of the squad’s only two-way players. He will play in the defensive secondary in addition to wide receiver. Multiple jobs in the secondary were the focus of position battles deep into camp.

No matter how many times Andriola explains to his players the correct manner in which to practice and prepare, only they will ultimately decide if they’re willing to take the necessary steps to turn around a program that hasn’t reached the playoffs since 1994.

“We have some guys who are athletes, but athletes don’t win games — football players do,” Andriola said. “What good is it if you run a 4.5 (40-yard dash), but you run the wrong way? That doesn’t help me.”

“Being an athlete is all good, but buying into football is a different deal. Now, when you get football players who are athletes you have a chance to compete for the state title. We want to get to that point.”

  The Dundee-Crown Chargers put their helmets back on and got to work Wednesday for the first day of practice for the 2011 season. Christopher Hankins/chankins@dailyherald.com
  Assistant coach Mike Steinhaus holds up the next play for the offense during drills Wednesday at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville. Christopher Hankins/chankins@dailyherald.com