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Mundelein Mustangs expect stronger passing game this year

Quiet for most of its history, Mundelein's football team made noise during practice on a recent Saturday.

As the Mustangs practiced on their stadium turf, the music of Bon Jovi, Journey, Quiet Riot and George Thorogood blared from two portable speakers.

It was first-year head coach Larry Calhoun's day to pick the music, which has been played during practice all camp.

"I like to keep practice upbeat," Calhoun said. "(The players) get enough negative stuff. We try to create some positive stuff, too. I learned it from a coach I coached for two jobs ago. He (played music) every day. At first, it irritated me. Then I got used to it.

"Now," Calhoun added with a laugh, "I can hardly live without it."

Last season wasn't too fun for either Mundelein or Calhoun. The Mustangs went 0-9 for the third time in four seasons, while in his third season as head coach at Elk Grove, Calhoun also went 0-9. His Grenadiers had made the state playoffs each of the previous two seasons.

In February, Calhoun was tabbed to replace George Kaider, who stepped down following three seasons. Calhoun's staff includes former head coach Dave Whitson, who last took Mundelein to the playoffs, in 2004. Whitson won a state championship as an assistant at Stevenson last year.

"With new coaches comes a new mentality," senior quarterback Colten Fisher said. "Different coaches bring their own personalities to the team. It's more upbeat (this year). I feel like that's been helping the guys to just stay positive about everything."

Fisher will play a lead role for the Mustangs again this fall. He quarterbacked the team's triple-option offense all last season. As a sophomore, he started at safety on varsity before getting the Week 9 start at QB.

The Mustangs figure to throw the ball more this season.

"They know me," Calhoun said of other coaches in the area. "I'm a multiple-spread offense. It doesn't mean we're always one back because we've got two-back sets. We've got tight-end sets."

And, the Mustangs have a sharp, athletic signal caller in the 6-foot, 175-pound Fisher.

"He's acclimated to our offense very well," Calhoun said. "I was worried about it. I know he's a good athlete. He's been under center and running option. We do a lot of different stuff, and he's getting really good. He's got a nice touch on the football.

"We're not going to air it out all the time," Calhoun added. "But if we need to throw the ball, he can throw the ball. He can read the defenses, and he makes good decisions. If he has a weakness, it's he wants to do too much."

Fisher will get help again from Jake Gokan, who's also playing varsity for the third year in a row. Gokan will play running back and middle linebacker.

"He's going to be a beast at middle linebacker," Calhoun said.

Senior tight end/linebacker Antoine Hicks has play-making abilities as well. Other potential impact players include safety Dimitrius Shittu and junior cornerback/slot receiver Aaron Woolford.

"We got a great group of guys," Fisher said. "The senior group is really strong. I'm excited. We're all a big family."

Senior lineman Julian Quiroz also returns. Other returning seniors include running back Isaac Banuelos, wide receiver Justin Neukam and wide receiver Joe Cho.

"What I've learned (since taking over as head coach) is that we have a great bunch of guys," Calhoun said. "It's just that we could use more guys. They're tough kids. Most people would look at our record and say, 'They've been kicked around.' But they don't act like kids that have been kicked around. They've got some confidence. They got a little bow in their chest. They're ready to play."

  Jake Gokan runs through plays during practice at Mundelein. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Jake Gokan runs with the ball during practice at Mundelein. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Antoine Hicks runs with the ball during practice at Mundelein. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Antoine Hicks runs through plays during practice at Mundelein. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Mundelein's first-year head coach Larry Calhoun talks to players during practice. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Quarterback Colten Fisher throws practice at Mundelein. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
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