Stevenson hopes tweak helps them reach their peak

Since last season, small changes have been made to the football workout regimen at Stevenson.

The Patriots are hoping that those small changes pay big dividends, particularly in the playoffs.

“We’ve been working really hard at our speed, strength and conditioning and focusing more on endurance,” Stevenson coach Bill McNamara said. “We’ve got a great strength and conditioning coordinator in Brian Burja and he’s constantly tweaking our program to help with injuries and the long grind.

“Football is a long, physical season and we want to make a long (playoff) run. We’ve got to make sure we can endure that.”

The Patriots got to the Class 8A quarterfinals last season, and staged one of the biggest upsets of the playoffs by upending heavyweight Maine South in the second round. But Stevenson hasn’t been beyond the quarterfinals since the 2002 team got to the state championship game and finished as runner-up.

“We’re very proud of our accomplishments from last year, but the seniors this year want to do more,” McNamara said. “They want to leave their mark.”

Seven current seniors started as juniors last year, including receiver Anthony Bozin and running back Danny Nowak, both of whom are capable of breaking big plays. Junior Matt Morrissey and sophomore Cameron Green, also returning starters, provide even more weapons at the wide receiver spot.

Last year, it was quarterback Matt Micucci who got to take advantage of Stevenson’s speedy receiving corps. Now that he’s at Northwestern (using his other gift as a kicker), the Patriots are looking to get another proficient passer in that spot.

Or two.

There may be a bit of a quarterback rotation at Stevenson this year. McNamara has been impressed with two sophomores, Willie Bourban and Jimmy Marchese. Bourban, who filled in for an injured Micucci for a few plays in a playoff game last season, will likely be the starter for the season opener, but McNamara says both will likely get time.

“Both of these young men are very mature players for their age and they’re very good at understanding what we’re trying to accomplish within the offense,” McNamara said. “They’re good at taking care of the ball and they can both make big plays.”

Speaking of big plays, the Stevenson defense came up with plenty of those last year, thanks to a talented group of linebackers that included three college players. Carl Miller is now playing at Air Force, Jon Way is at Washington University and Dom Bickus is at Kansas.

“One of the things we’ve been focused on is getting good linebacker play again,” McNamara said. “It’s a hole we need to fill after the guys we had there last year. But we think we have some good guys this year, too.”

Senior Nick Costantini was a starter at linebacker last year and is back. He’ll be joined by senior Timmy Breen as well as sophomore Jason Vavrick and senior Sean O’Connell.

Size-wise, Stevenson will fall right in line with its long tradition of building around big linemen. Returning starters Zach Novoselsky (6-foot-4, 255 pounds), Joey Marchese (6-foot-3, 235) and Patrick O’Connell (6-foot-2, 235) join newcomer Logan Gaskey (6-foot-4, 280) as some of the biggest on the roster.

“We had a really good line last year, but I feel this line could be as good if not better,” McNamara said. “I like the athletic ability of this group.”

STEVENSON

HEAD COACH: Bill McNamara (third season, 20-4)

LAST SEASON: 9-3, 5-1 in North Suburban Lake Division, lost to Glenbard North in Class 8A state quarterfinals

HOMECOMING: Friday, Sept. 21 vs. Warren, 7:30 p.m.