Montini Broncos charging toward another state title
Reaching the Class 6A championship would give Montini seven straight title-game appearances to join only former nemesis Driscoll.
A DeKalb road trip is the one goal that really matters for the five-time state champion.
“If we can make that happen it would be pretty special,” said Broncos coach Chris Andriano, whose six straight appearances — with Class 5A titles from 2009-2012 — are the state record for a coach.
One reason it would be special is should Montini reach the playoffs it'll be in Class 6A due to the Illinois High School Association's new “Success Adjustment” rule. It raises non-boundaried schools a class based on regional, sectional or state titles over the past four years.
Another reason: “It's the fastest we've ever been as a football team,” Andriano said.
Cornerback Mitch West, who intercepted 5 passes as a sophomore, ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash at Penn State. Dual-threat quarterback Justin Blake, skill players Will Smith, Nick Foster, 1,000-yard tailback Prince Walker and receiver Tyler Millikan all run in the 4.5-4.6 range.
Millikan led Montini with 947 yards receiving in 2014, and has four scholarship offers among the 25 programs who've expressed interest.
“We're a fast team,” Andriano said. “It'll be interesting to see how that converts into the physical part of the game.”
Montini must develop line depth but is off to a decent start returning center Sam Detmers, two-way lineman Joe Spivak and Justin Cajigas. Junior left tackle Michael Ross goes 6-foot-3, 305 pounds.
A defense headed by West and linebacker John Embrey — last year's tackles leader with 145 — is bolstered by Glenbard South transfer linebacker Jake Kapp, the 2014 Metro Suburban West defensive player of the year.
“We have the experience,” Andriano said. “I think that moving up a class is going to be a real motivational thing for us. We have what it takes. Now we've just got to work hard.”
The breakdown
Coach: Chris Andriano (37th year, 279-124).
2014 record: 10-4, 3-1, tied for first in the Chicago Catholic League Green.
Top players: John Embrey (LB, 6-1, 220, sr.), Tommy Hyland (WR, 6-4, 230, sr.), Jake Kapp (LB, 5-11, 205, sr.), Dylan Maher (WR-DB, 5-10, 180, sr.), Tyler Millikan (WR-DB, 6-3, 195, sr.), Michael Ross (OL, 6-3, 305, jr.), Luke Sheppard (LB, 6-0, 190, sr.), Joe Spivak (OL-DL, 6-1, 285, jr.), Prince Walker (RB, 5-10, 180, jr.), Mitch West (DB, 5-11, 175, jr.).
Schedule
Montini
Fri, 8/28 Maine South at Montini, 7:30 pm
Sat, 9/5 Montini at East St. Louis. 6 pm
Fri, 9/11 St. Rita at Montini. 7:30 pm
Fri, 9/18 DeLaSalle at Montini., 7:30 pm
Fri, 9/25 Montini at Leo, 7:30 pm
Fri, 10/2 Montini at St. Joseph, 7:30 pm
Fri, 10/9 St. Francis at Montini, 7:30 pm
Fri, 10/16 Montini at Fenwick, 7:30 pm
Fri, 10/23 Montini at Marmion Academy, 7:30 pm