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Despite low numbers, core solid at Lisle

Lisle has some good football players, tough, strong and driven. If only it had more of them.

Coach Dan Sanko’s preseason roster lists 25 players. Up to eight of them might be playing both on offense and defense.

“I think we’ll be very competitive,” Sanko said. “I think more than any year, though, our depth really drops off.”

The core is sound. Seniors Bailey Welch, Griffin Huba, Cliff Krause and Kevin Coppin are three-year varsity players. An all-Interstate Eight Small Division pick and team captain as a junior linebacker, in 2012 Coppin made 84 tackles. Krause ran for a team-high 429 yards and 6 touchdowns and added 421 yards receiving, 21 yards per catch.

Last year’s fullback, Huba returns to the quarterback spot he played as a freshman for the Lions sophomores. He’s succeeding three-year starter Nick Saul, whose leadership must be replaced.

Huba will be aided by one of Lisle’s top facets, an offensive line that returns starters Jared Arellano, Kyle Dwyer, Zach Trussell and Billy Loconsole, nephew of the late Driscoll offensive genius, Mike Loconsole. Without a true go-to receiver this improved group may see a heavy dose of option run blocking.

Sanko believes a team strength will be on defense, where the Lions are often among the area’s top teams in average yards allowed. Seniors Eric Puccini and Sam Fairley have speed at cornerback. Sanko called 6-foot-6 senior Shane Murray a “darkhorse” at defensive end. A solid group of linebackers may have Lisle playing a 3-5 scheme. Many will go both ways, but that might not hurt them terribly in the Interstate Eight Small Division.

In 2012 Lisle was among 16 teams with 5 wins that did not reach the playoffs due to the playoff-point tiebreaker. Sanko sees three critical factors that could determine the Lions’ chances this year.

“We’ve got to be solid playing defense and — I say this every year — this year we’ve really got to stay healthy,” Sanko said. “And obviously we’ve got to take care of the ball. Out of the three, I think that’s my biggest concern.”

The breakdown

Coach: Dan Sanko (17th year, 76-79).

2012 record: 5-4, 3-2, third in the Interstate Eight (Small).

Top players: Jared Arellano (OL-DL, 6-0, 260, jr.), Kevin Coppin (RB-LB, 5-11, 190, sr.), Kyle Dwyer (OL-DL, 6-0, 265, sr.), Griffin Huba (QB-LB, 6-0, 195, sr.), Cliff Krause (RB-LB, 5-8, 185, sr.), Bailey Welch (RB-LB, 5-6, 165, sr.),

Schedule

Fri, 8/30 Mateno at Lisle 7:15 p.m.

Fri, 9/6 Lisle at Herscher 7:15 p.m.

Fri, 9/13 Lisle at Seneca 7:15 p.m.

Fri, 9/20 Reed-Custer at Lisle 7:15 p.m.

Fri, 9/27 Dwight at Lisle 7:15 p.m.

Fri, 10/4 Lisle at Wilmington 7:15 p.m.

Fri, 10/11 Westmont at Lisle 7:15 p.m.

Fri, 10/18 Peotone at Lisle 7:15 p.m.

Fri, 10/25 Lisle at Sandwich 7:15 p.m.

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