Dundee-Crown eager to snap streak
Hard work is the only way to end a 26-game losing streak.
With that in mind, the young Dundee-Crown varsity football team set out to change the program’s dynamic via a highly productive off-season in the weight room, according to second-year coach Vito Andriola. The Chargers’ mentor said last year’s sophomore-dominated lineup returns bigger, faster and stronger, not to mention a year smarter.
Will such off-season dedication translate to a victory for the first time since Week 1 of the 2009 season?
“I’m excited to get out on the field because we’ve been working hard and we feel good about our preparation,” said Andriola, who will direct a roster of 47 players in a full two-platoon system. “Now it’s time to see if we’re going to do what we can do, if that makes sense. It’s an unknown, but the coaches are comfortable, the kids are comfortable in the system and they’re used to it now.”
Thirteen juniors, most of whom started last season, will dominate the starting lineup — six on offense, seven on defense.
“We have a lot of guys coming back, but they’re coming back from an 0-9 team,” Andriola said. “I think we’re way better this year, but we have to play hard or we won’t win.”
The Chargers return their entire linebacking crew: Cordero Parson, Jordan Linson, and Tim Shanmier. All are strong and understand the system well enough to “just go for the ball,” Andriola said.
Also returning are two defensive backs: senior Ben Sprouse and junior Fabian Gutierrez. The deep defender will be athletic senior Latrell Crenshaw. His high hopes for a breakthrough junior season in 2011 were dashed when he broke an ankle in a preseason scrimmage. His coach considers Crenshaw a college football prospect. Junior Sam Franckowiak joins a strengthened secondary.
Senior Ray Griggle started on the offensive line last year but is better suited to defense, in the opinion of the D-C staff. He’ll play a defensive tackle spot this year alongside senior returnees Joe Meixner and Gerrald Allen, who started 6 games. Senior Ryan Suwanski returns at defensive end. Incoming juniors Jeremy Marshall, Mike Utley, Trent Hanselmann and senior Jackson Glade fortify a more stout defensive front.
The entire offensive backfield returns, led by senior quarterback Garrett Ryan. Junior running backs Cody Lane and TJ Moss both gained experience last season, though the offense was immature as a whole and lacked the physicality to stand up to the talented upperclassmen of the Fox Valley Conference’s Valley Division.
A newcomer expected to have a major impact as a ball carrier is JT Beasley, a basketball player who did not play football last year. “They’re all different, which is great,” Andriola said of D-C’s running backs. Split end Trent Muscat and tight end Nick Lodi also return. Lodi had 8 receptions for 81 yards last year; Muscat made 2 grabs for 17 yards.
The offensive line isn’t gigantic but returns three starters. “They’re all very strong after a really good off-season,” Andriola said. “We’re not tall, but we’re big and strong. I’m proud of the way those guys have worked to get better. I think our lines on both sides of the ball are actually the strength of this team.”
Changing a losing dynamic isn’t easy, but the Chargers seem pointed in the right direction.
“It’s year two and everybody feels better about where we’re going,” Andriola said. “Overall, this team is tough. These guys won’t quit. They’re here to stay. They have some experience, so we’re actually coaching football. No more baby-sitting.
“Now we have to get some wins.”