Fenton’s goal to start a new streak
Fenton’s football team expected growing pains last season.
This year the Bison expect something completely different.
The program’s string of three straight playoff appearances ended with last year’s 3-6 record, but an experienced lineup plans on starting a new streak in 2013.
“We knew we’d have experience given how young we were last year,” said Fenton coach Mark Kos. “It was an eye-opener facing varsity athleticism for the first time. It takes some time to get your feet wet.”
Nine defensive starters return, including Fenton’s entire back seven. With that kind of experience alone, Fenton will be better equipped to keep opposing offenses at bay.
Senior Phil Espinosa, one of four returning linebackers and a varsity player since seeing time in the playoffs as a freshman, epitomizes the strength of the team. Fellow linebacker Alex Stitgen also leads the defense along with Rene and Raul Garcia and Jimmy Kramer in the secondary.
“They have an opportunity to be a pretty stout group,” Kos said. “The struggles we had last year, many times it was a matter of putting our defense in miserable positions.”
Whether it was turnovers, bad penalties or general miscues, the offense struggled to get untracked throughout last season. The Bison hope a shift in philosophy brings consistency.
The last few years Fenton utilized a pass-heavy offense that last season produced nearly 300 pass attempts, 1,600 yards and 14 touchdowns from quarterback Willie Wassmann his sophomore year. While Wassmann returns with receivers Cody Quarles and Zach Jakalski, you’re not likely to see a 2-to-1 margin in passing-to-rushing yardage similar to past years.
The Bison will focus on running the ball in a more traditional offensive set. Kos is still looking for a feature back to emerge from a group that includes Rene Garcia, Rene Rodriguez and Kyle McPherson.
Speaking of tradition, reclaiming a spot at or near the top of the Metro Suburban Conference is a definite goal.
“Traditionally we’ve been in the top two or three,” Kos said, “so we expect to be in the mix.”
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Schedule
Fri, 8/30 Grayslake Central at Fenton 7:15 p.m.
Sat, 9/7 Fenton at Walther Lutheran 1 p.m.
Fri, 9/13 Rich South at Fenton 7:30 p.m.
Sat, 9/21 Fenton at Rich East Noon
Fri, 9/27 Leo at Fenton 7:15 p.m.
Fri, 10/4 Ridgewood at Fenton 7:15 p.m.
Fri, 10/11 Fenton at Glenbard South 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/18 Elmwood Park at Fenton 7:15 p.m.
Fri, 10/25 Fenton at Riverside-Brookfield 7:15 p.m.