Bartlett would like to maintain tradition
The Bartlett football team is accustomed to qualifying for the playoffs, having done so 12 of the last 13 seasons.
Despite the graduation loss of Aaron Everson — the durable running back who set the program’s all-time rushing mark last season, now playing at Ohio Dominican — and with just one starter returning on defense, Bartlett coach Tom Meaney nevertheless believes these Hawks are capable of maintaining the school’s postseason tradition.
“If we can drain the clock a little bit with our running game and keep it close toward the end, I think we have a team that can sustain some drives and be big up front,” Meaney said. “If you can control the ball, not turn the ball over and play solid defense, we can surprise some people this year.
“There is something about tradition. None of these kids want to hurt tradition. They’re up for the challenge.”
Junior quarterback Jordan Flint (6-foot-3½, 190 pounds) returns for his second season at the position and should lend better balance to an offense that last year gained 2,391 of its 2,933 total yards via the rush (81.5 percent).
Still, Bartlett rarely veers from its run-first tendency, even with Eric Ilitch back to coordinate the offense after a year coaching at Hoffman Estates. The offense has a young stable of big offensive linemen around whom to build, including sophomore center Kyle Sanft (6-3, 280), left tackle Nathan Baer (6-1½, 295), two-way performer Ben Wiley (6-2, 230) at guard, junior Devin Jatczak (6-1½, 255) and sophomore Bobby Waltz (6-3, 250).
That unit will pave the way for what Meaney calls “a four-headed monster” of running backs poised to absorb Everson’s workload. Seniors Titus Ayomidele (5-7, 165) and Hurshel Ross III (5-5, 160) are quick, elusive backs. Matt Callahan (6-0, 195) is a junior fullback and sophomore Nolan Bernat (5-10½, 170) joins the varsity after leading the freshman team to an 8-1 record last season. All will get their chance to contribute.
“We’re really going to rotate all these kids. They will all play,” Meaney said. “We’ve already told them that.”
Flint has been running the option well in practice, Meaney said, and senior Gabe Sheahan (5-11, 165) could also take reps at quarterback. Sheahan will also play wide receiver along with senior Charles Rogers (5-11, 165) and juniors Bryce Petty (6-2, 160), Isaiah Cottman (6-0, 170), and Vincent Searson (5-8, 160).
Defensively, outside linebacker Chris Janssen (6-2½, 195) is the only returning starter, though Wiley started a few games last season due to an injury. Danek, Callahan and junior Demetrius Stanton (5-11, 180) will also see time at inside linebacker. Seniors Mike Coleantonio (5-11, 175) and Jeff Mitchell (5-9½, 175) will play outside linebacker and two way starter Clint Zierke (6-4½, 220), also a tight end, will play defensive end. Expect six players to rotate along the defensive front.
The senior and junior classes did not experience much success at the lower levels, but Meaney believes they can win together now that they’ve grown physically and put in work in the weight room.
The Hawks won’t have an opportunity to wade into their schedule, not with tough nonconference games to open the season at 2012 Class 7A playoff qualifier Huntley (6-4) and home against Class 6A qualifier Niles Notre Dame (7-5). Can these Hawks keep the program’s playoff tradition alive?
“I think we can if we keep improving like we have since day one,” Meaney said. “That’s what we’re harping on, just keep improving. You can get a little better every day. That’s what we’re trying to do. We’re not trying to be fancy. We’re just going to come out and try to get first downs.”