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Scouting the Addison Trail Blazers

Leaning on inexperience the last couple of football seasons, Addison Trail's endured its share of growing pains.

Now it's time to dish out some pain.

With most of their skill players back on offense and nine starters returning on defense, the Blazers look to leap atop the West Suburban Gold standings.

That'd be a nice change for a program that hasn't made the playoffs since last winning the Gold title in 2011. Anchored by third-year starters Jaavion Bradley, Eric Gilliam and Matt Gontarek, Addison Trail is ready for another run.

"Some of these guys have been playing together since they were 5 years old," said Blazers coach Paul Parpet Jr. "This is what they've been working for."

For all the familiar faces at Addison Trail, much of the attention is focused on electric receiver-defensive back Jaavion Bradley. An All-Area pick as a junior, Bradley last season had 43 catches for 573 yards and 4 touchdowns while also leading the team with 3 interceptions.

"He's by far the best athlete I've ever coached at Addison Trail," Parpet said. "He can do whatever you want him to do."

Fortunately, he won't have to do it alone. The Blazers return quarterback Mike Rybarczyk and receivers Jake Atiyeh and Christian Grabowski, and they also expect major contributions from junior running back Malik Pierre-Louis.

Can the offense build a cohesive line around returners Tyler Schroeder-Zelek and Josh Broschinsky? That's the main question facing the unit, which plans to bring Matt Domek from the other side of the ball to play offensive line.

As for the defense, confidence is high with every starting linebacker and defensive back returning. With Gilliam leading at linebacker and Gontarek at safety, Addison Trail's defense should be much-improved.

They'll set an overall tone for a much-improved team.

"I'm excited," Parpet said. "I think we've got the kind of kids where we can be very competitive."

The breakdown

Coach: Paul Parpet Jr. (fifth year, 17-21).

2013 record: 2-7, 2-4, fifth in West Suburban Gold.

Top players: Jaavion Bradley (WR-DB, 6-3, 205, sr.); Eric Gilliam (LB, 5-11, 205, sr.); Matt Gontarek (DB, 5-11, 215, sr.); Mike Rybarczyk (QB, 6-3, 180, sr.); Malik Pierre-Louis (RB, 5-11, 195, jr.); Matt Domek (OL-DL, 6-4, 220, jr.); Marc Anemone (DL, 6-2, 215, sr.); Tyler Schroeder-Zelek (OL, 6-3, 255, sr.); Josh Broschinsky (OL, 6-1, 265, sr.).

Schedule

Fri, 8/29 Glenbard South at Addison Trail 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 9/5 Hinsdale Central at Addison Trail 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 9/12 Addison Trail at Downers Grove South 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 9/19 Addison Trail at Leyden 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 9/26 Hinsdale South at Addison Trail 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 10/3 Addison Trail at Morton 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 10/10 Proviso East at Addison Trail 7:30 p.m.

Sat, 10/18 Addison Trail at Glenbard West 1:30 p.m.

Fri, 10/24 Willowbrook at Addison Trail 7:30 p.m.

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