Vernon Hills intends to field a postseason participant
As the first Vernon Hills football team to place their cleats on the newly installed artificial turf at Rust-Oleum Field, the Cougars want to avoid a misstep.
In the 12-year history of varsity football at the school, the Cougars have never missed the state playoffs in consecutive seasons.
“We’ve had a great summer,” coach Tony Monken said. “Our numbers are up. The kids are fired up. We just got to figure out a way to come up with (6 wins).”
The Cougars made themselves playoff-eligible last season by winning their last three games to finish 5-4, but they came up shy of earning an at-large postseason berth. The only other VH teams not to make the playoffs were the inaugural squad in 2000, which didn’t have any seniors, and the 2004 bunch, which won only 3 games.
Last season, the Cougars suffered heartbreaking losses to Wheaton St. Francis (22-21), Antioch (10-7) and Lakes (7-6).
“We had our chances,” Monken said. “What are you going to do?
“It was our fault,” Monken added. “We let the game against St. Francis get away from us. We had Lakes. Their only touchdown was on a punt return. That was a 50/50 game. It could have gone either way. And then Antioch kicks a field goal late to beat us.
“If we find a way to win just one of those three, we’re in the playoffs.”
The Cougars graduated a pair of tough and talented linemen in Wayne Didier and Jeremy Brazil, as well as game-breaking runner Jarrett Wood, who also shined at linebacker. Back is all-conference defensive tackle/offensive tackle Drake Randall as well as fellow two-way players Sam Maloof (running back/defensive back) and Dylan McNamara (running back/inside linebacker).
Senior TJ Flis is back at outside linebacker, and junior Chris Lannan returns after starting on the defensive line last fall. Nick Saliba will play on both sides of the ball again. Gabe Cotton gives the Cougars an experienced wide receiver/defensive back.
Senior Brett Peterson takes over as the Cougars’ starting quarterback.
The Cougars have five games on their new turf, starting with tonight’s opener against Chicago Dunbar. They also play Antioch, Warren, North Chicago and Round Lake at home.
“We got to get back at it this year,” Monken said, “and find a way to get back (in the playoffs).”
VERNON HILLS
HEAD COACH: Tony Monken (13th season, 75-48)
LAST SEASON: 5-4, 3-3 in North Suburban Prairie Division
HOMECOMING: Friday, Oct. 5 vs. North Chicago, 7:30 p.m.