Conant counting on playoff continuity
Conant figures to be flying high again this year.
The Cougars advanced to the second round of the state playoffs last fall before bowing out to Maine South in the second round. They will be seeking their third consecutive trip to the state playoffs and will have back one of the area’s top signal callers in Danny Modelski.
Modelski, who is 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, has drawn interest from NCAA Division II and III colleges. And no wonder, since he threw for over 2,500 yards and 24 touchdowns last year.
“He is not a blue-chip guy because of his height,” said Conant’s head coach, Bill Modelski, Danny’s father. “But he has still attracted a lot of attention. It will really be determined by what kind of senior year he has and the numbers he puts up.
Danny Modelski will have a great opportunity to increase those numbers since he will have three of his four top targets returning this season in Mike Kos, DeAngelo McBride and Elias Gardener. Gone is Tim Manczko, who was Modelski’s top receiver last year. The Cougars will look to the speedy Palmer Graham and Dante Marski to fill that role.
Bryson Brown, who saw plenty of time last year as a running back, earned the starting spot this season.
“I feel real good about our skill players,” Conant coach Bill Modelski said. “Besides this group of receivers, we have our quarterback, who was an all-conference and all-area player, as well as a pretty tough running back.”
The Cougars return starter Tyler LaBarbera (6-1, 220) at right guard and part-time starters Mitch Tednes (6-6, 260) and Cody Foss (6-0, 218). Sophomore Joe Novak (6-1, 235) and Brian Polaski (6-2, 228) will fill out the offensive line for the Cougars.
“Our question mark is the offensive line,” Bill Modelski said. “We will see how well we block and protect up front.”
As excited as Bill Modelski is when the Cougars have the ball, he is even more ramped up about when Conant is on defense. The Cougars return five starters on that side of the ball, including LaBarbara, who is moving from linebacker to defensive tackle.
“He is the centerpiece of our defense,” Bill Modelski said. “He is just a beast out there.”
Joining LaBarbara in the Cougars’ 3-4 scheme is mammoth nose tackle Gary Hickerson, who will give centers fits with his 6-5, 300-pound frame. Blake Hanetho fills out the defensive line for Conant.
Kos, who was an all-area choice last year, moves from outside linebacker to inside this season. Matt Mills and Justin Perez will be working at the other inside linebacker position. Sophomore Odell Andrews will play linebacker at one outside position while Jeremy Albach and Evan Nelson, who is a 6-3, 215-pound junior, will be at the other outside spot.
Graham and Kevin Copher will play corner while McBride and Chris Shintaku will be at the safey spot.
“We will be very strong defensively,” Bill Modelski said. “Teams will have trouble running the ball on us with the size of our line. And we have great skill guys at linebacker, corner and safety.”