Scouting the Glenbard South Raiders
By Kevin Schmit
kschmit@dailyherald.com
At one point last season injuries whittled down Glenbard South’s football roster to 35 healthy bodies.
It epitomized a tough season for the Raiders that still nearly resulted in a playoff appearance. A year later, the second under head coach Jeremy Cordell, things are definitely looking up.
“It’s like night and day compared to last year,” he said. “We’re so much farther ahead than we were a year ago.”
Eleven starters return healthy and ready to bring Glenbard South back to the playoffs with additional goals of winning the Metro Suburban Conference title.
Offensively the Raiders are ready to roll. The backfield of quarterback Tyler Padera and running backs Wes Sanders and Matt Loos returns after Padera threw for 700 yards and 8 touchdowns and Sanders and Loos combined for 1,400 rushing yards and 13 scores.
The Raiders should have little trouble running behind 6-foot-5, 310-pound senior tackle Kyle Avaloy and others, although much of the line is inexperienced with juniors Hunter and Gunnar Glocker and Joe Kornblith. Padera’s experience, however, will allow the Raiders to bring balance to the offense.
“All of our top skill guys are back and we have a lot of depth with offensive linemen,” Cordell said. “We were literally patchwork on the line last year because of injuries. I really think we’ll score some points this year.”
Expect improvement on defense. Glenbard South allowed more than 40 points three times last year, but the unit allowed a total of only 20 points while closing the season on a two-game winning streak.
Middle linebacker Nick Boesso, one of last year’s key injured players, returns. With Zach Bava and Bret Curtis the Raiders will field a talented corps of linebackers.
Zach Lawler and Kenny Anderson anchor the defensive line while returners P.J. Duffy and Elven Walker solidify the secondary.
“I think the big key will be the experience we gained from Year One to Year Two in this system,” Cordell said.
— Kevin Schmit
The breakdown
Coach: Jeremy Cordell (second year, 4-5).
2010 record: 4-5.
Top players: Wes Sanders (RB, 5-9, 185, sr.); Tyler Padera (QB, 5-11, 190, sr.); Kyle Avaloy (OL, 6-5, 310, sr.); Matt Loos (RB, 5-11, 205, jr.); Elven Walker (WR-DB, 5-10, 170, sr.); Nick Boesso (LB, 6-0, 210, sr.); Zach Lawler (DL, 5-10, 240, sr.); Carl Lane (TE-WR, 6-2, 185, sr.); P.J. Duffy (DB, 5-10, 170, sr.); Bret Curtis (LB, 6-2, 230, jr.); Zach Bava (LB, 6-1, 200, sr.); Gunnar Glocker (OL, 6-2, 205, jr.); Hunter Glocker (OL, 6-2, 205, jr.); Joe Kornblith (OL, 5-11, 210, jr.); Zach Smith (RB, 5-9, 200, so.); Kenny Anderson (DL, 6-1, 205, sr.).
Schedule
Fri, Aug 26 Prairie Ridge 7 p.m.
Sat, Sep 3 @ Bloom Twp. noon
Fri, Sep 9 Rich East 7 p.m.
Fri, Sep 16 @ Crete-Monee 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Sep 23 Elmwood Park 7 p.m.
Fri, Sep 30 @ Riverside-Br. 7 p.m.
Fri, Oct 7 Fenton 7 p.m.
Fri, Oct 14 @ Ridgewood 7 p.m.
Sat, Oct 22 @ Ft. Zumwalt(Mo.) 11 a.m.