More progress would put Buffalo Grove Bison in football playoffs

Each year under coach Mike DiMatteo, Buffalo Grove's football team has moved closer to its goal of qualifying for the state playoffs. DiMatteo feels that this may be year that the Bison, who have not made the postseason since 2003, can get over the hump.

"I think we are very close to being competitive," DiMatteo said. "And competitive to us is making the playoffs. Certainly Buffalo Grove football took a nice step last year."

DiMatteo likes the look of his 2015 team.

"We are more athletic than we have been in a long time," DiMatteo said. "We have some pretty good skill kids on both sides of the ball and I think things are falling into place at this point."

The Bison almost broke through last season. Buffalo Grove had 5 wins, but their amount of playoff points was short of what was needed to break the tie with other 5-4 teams.

Injuries played a key part in some early season losses for the Bison, especially to quarterback Trey Cervantes. Entering his third year as a starter, Cervantes, who is 6-foot-4 and 175 pounds is coming off a season where he threw for 998 yards and 6 touchdowns in limited play.

"Trey has looked very good this summer," DiMatteo said. "He has added some weight through working out and has thrown the ball quite well in our 7-on-7s."

While Cervantes has gotten bigger, his line is smaller than the one he worked behind last year. But that doesn't bother DiMatteo.

"Our guys this year aren't quite as big," DiMatteo said. "But they are very, very fast. And we are going to do some things to help take advantage of that."

The line will be a mix of two seniors in Devin Curran (6-0, 190) and Matt Malizia (5-9, 215), a pair of juniors in Jack Merrill (6-6, 225) and Brendan Swanson (6-0, 245) and a sophomore in Max Merriott (6-1, 200).

The Bison feature a pair of returning wide receivers in Nolan Fortman, who is in his third year on the varsity and Jimmy Trieb, who is a junior and a returning starter. Matt Conley and Zach Sheasby will also be on the outside while the running back duties will be handled by junior Chase Marsh.

DiMatteo is high on his defense, especially the play of his defensive line in their 4-2-5 scheme.

"I like our defensive line," DiMatteo said. "It should be pretty good."

DiMatteo really likes seniors Tommy Gillespie and Logan Kirkpatrick, while he feels that Ernie Flores and Tyler Kallas will be a force as well. At linebacker will be a pair of juniors, Eddie Walker and Tyler Rundquist.

The secondary will show some strength for Buffalo Grove with three-year starter Fortman, who will be a strong safety, and second-year starter Evan Frank at corner. Jason Salzman, Jonathan Toriumi and Trieb round out the defensive backfield for the Bison.

Buffalo Grove will open its season by hosting Niles West.