Hampshire will be bigger, more physical
On the heels of a 1-8 campaign in 2011, the Hampshire football team enters its second season in the Fox Division of the Fox Valley Conference better equipped to compete.
The beefed up Whip-Purs — with 37 varsity players and over 100 in the program overall, both school records — return six starters on either side of the ball, including quarterback Kyle Anderson and four offensive linemen.
“We’re going to be much more physical,” said 24th-year coach Dan Cavanaugh. “We have a bigger, stronger team after a real good off-season in the weight room. I think we’ll be much more competitive because we’ll be able to match up better physically than last year.
“We have some experience. We also have some unknowns in our offensive and defensive backfields.”
Anderson is a known. The athletic, experienced decision maker is a multi-dimensional threat. As a junior he completed 54-of-143 attempts for 669 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was picked only twice. Anderson also rushed for 390 yards (98 attempts).
The offensive line is a strength. Senior center Nick Denardo (5-10, 190) returns for his third season at center, and senior Tyler Penny (5-9, 200) returns at right guard.
Senior Grant Bender (6-3, 230) started at tackle last year.
He moves to left guard this season. Senior Mike Gibas (6-2, 240) returns at one tackle while senior Andrew Wilson (6-1, 250) joins the experienced group at the other tackle position.
The mature, veteran line should create running room for the team’s tailbacks, junior Chris Calvin (5-7, 150) and senior Pat Kuefner (5-10, 160). Three-sport athlete Tyler Crater (6-1, 185) and fellow senior Phil Lapointe (5-10, 210) will each get carries at fullback.
The Whips could do damage via the pass if the line gives Anderson time to connect with his receiving corps, led by returning split end Brendan Waterworth (6-0, 170).
He led the Whips last season with 16 receptions for 260 yards and 2 touchdowns. Junior tight end Ben Bednarek (5-10, 200) can catch and he gives the line more blocking leverage.
“We were a little sporadic on offense last year, inconsistent,” Cavanaugh said of a team that rushed for 1,815 yards and threw for 669. “At times we moved the ball well, as young as we were. Not sure we’ll be very flashy this season, but we should be more consistent.”
Many of the same faces will be counted on defensively. Bender and Gibas will start at the ends, and Wilson will be joined at tackle by senior Eric Follman (5-8, 175).
Bednarek returns at outside linebacker, where he started as a sophomore. LaPointe played with his hand in the dirt last season, but he’ll stand up at middle linebacker this year. Denardo and Penny will likely rotate at the other outside linebacker spot.
The secondary is athletic. Crater will play safety alongside basketball teammate Ryan Cork (6-2, 175). Senior Mike Laramie (5-9, 170) started at corner last year. He moves to safety this season, alongside junior Nick Kielbasa (5-9, 175).
Though Hampshire predominantly runs a 4-3 defense, Cavanaugh said “don’t be surprised” to see the Whips shift into different fronts
“We have some experienced players who give us some flexibility to do some different things,” Cavanaugh said.