Hart expects Huntley to think like winners
No more wading slowly into the treacherous waters of the Fox Valley Conference for the Huntley football program.
With the hiring last spring of two-time Indiana state-champion coach John Hart and promises from the District 158 administration to spend significantly on infrastructure like improved weight room facilities and new turf, Huntley took a headfirst dive into the deep end of competitive high school football.
Hart owns a career record of 238-70 in 27 seasons, 24 of them winning seasons. His teams have made the playoffs 12 straight years. In order to make it 13 straight, Hart must turn a 2-7 team into a 6-3 team, though 5 wins will probably do the trick considering Huntley’s strength of schedule.
Not only do the Red Raiders face the usual FVC Valley powers like defending Class 6A state champion Prairie Ridge (ranked No. 4 in 6A), Crystal Lake South (No. 9 in 7A) and Cary-Grove (No. 10 in 7A), they also play a season-opening FVC crossover at Fox Division favorite Crystal Lake Central and a Week 2 nonconference game against Kaneland (No. 5 in 6A).
Improving strength in the weight room and installing new systems were important aspects of the summer blueprint, but they paled in comparison to Hart’s primary objective of programming young brains to think like winners.
“When you look at film and see a Cary-Grove or a Crystal Lake Central or a team that had success against us last year, they are not better athletes than us,” Hart said. “The difference was how we handled adversity. There can be a six-inch difference between 2-7 and 7-2. How you handle adversity is a big part of it. Successful people minimize the effects of adversity and keep moving forward.”
Hart called Huntley’s offense a potentially explosive unit and the defense, he said, has made great strides since two-a-day practices began on Aug. 8.
Offensively, senior quarterback Kam Sallee (6-2, 185) is the trigger. He missed most of his junior year due to injury. Hart called him “the leader of our football team.” Sallee is also a talented kicker and punter.
The new quarterback will enjoy the luxury of a pair of tall, senior wideouts. Bryce Beschorner (6-3, 190) was an all-FVC pick last year after making 24 catches for 409 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jake Lackovic (6-4, 215) returns after missing a good portion of his junior year due to injury. Senior slot receiver John Walker (5-8, 140) “is the biggest burner of them all,” according to his coach.
All-FVC power rusher Ethan Connor (6-0, 195) returns. He bulled his way to 848 yards and 9 touchdowns on 127 carries last year. Fleet-footed junior Mitchell Kaywell gives the offense a change-of-pace back. Junior Jake Scalise (5-4, 155) is another elusive option.
The offensive line returns two starters: senior Joe Tanke (6-0, 260) and junior Darren Erath (6-2, 275). They are joined by seniors Brandon Kavanaugh (6-3, 280), Joe Kostalek (6-0, 240) and Jason Wright (6-3, 260). Sophomore Isaac Jimenez (6-1, 250), a transfer from Woodstock, will also see playing time.
Junior starter Marcus Wright (5-11, 215) and sophomore Chase Burkhart (6-0, 235) will rotate at tight end.
Hart said Huntley’s defensive strength is the linebacker unit, manned by seniors Justin Gedaly (6-1, 210) and Brandon Mabry (5-11, 200) and junior Mark Skonieczny (5-11, 200).
The secondary should stiffen with the return of senior cornerback Josh Sepsey (6-0, 170), senior safety Tyler Schwartz (5-10, 170), junior cornerback Mike Andrews (5-11, 190) and the addition of senior safety Damario Hughes (5-11, 195).
Senior Tanner Bergquist (6-7, 250) will plug gaps along the defensive line.
“The defense has been looking a lot better,” Hart said this week. “I think people are going to have to throw the football because we’re going to come up and hit some people. I wasn’t originally sure if we could do that without blitzing, but the guys have come along as a unit. I feel a lot more confident in them.”