Barrington's Broncos hope to pick up where they left off

Barrington's football team was inches away from a state semifinal berth a year ago. Now the Broncos are looking to make that next step this season.

"We have a lot of guys back that part of our core," Barrington coach Joe Sanchez said. "Every year is different.

"This group remembers what happened last year and they have aspirations to get there and beyond. It is a process, and we are working hard to earn that right to be there."

That will start at quarterback for Barrington, where the Broncos welcome back starter Johnny Davidson, who was instrumental to their success a year ago.

Davidson, who was a relative unknown a year ago, took over the reins and rode the Broncos hard, as they averaged nearly 36 points. Davidson threw for over 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns last year, but he will find a brand new receiving corps to throw to this year.

Jake Zyzda, Logan Moews, Jack Nicoletti, Paul Lee, Mac Molli and Josh Babicz caught just 2 passes amongst them last year. But Sanchez says not to underestimate the group.

"I don't know that you can replace the talent we had at wide receiver last year," Sanchez said. "It is hard to replicate. But this is also a talented group who are going to surprise some people."

It was running back by committee last year for Barrington. This season, that committee has disbanded, but Nate King, who rushed for nearly 400 yards, returns and should see most of the action for the Broncos.

King, who is in his third year on the varsity, will be fortunate to run behind another typically huge Barrington line.

Junior Nick Bart (6-foot-3, 290) and senior (Alex Serrano 6-3, 285), who is a three-year starter, both have had some Division I interest. They will be joined by JT Snyder (6-0, 200), Paul Toohill (6-1, 215), John Stefan (6-4, 295) and Mark Bach (6-0, 235), who played at times last year as a sophomore.

"I like our group," Sanchez said. "It has been fun to watch the chemistry and hard work these guys have shown this past summer."

Defensively, the Broncos appear to have many holes to fill since they graduated nine seniors from last year's group. But many of this year's starters got a tremendous amount of time against first-team offenses, went Barrington was able to go to running clock against its opponents last year.

"We graduated a ton and it is hard to replace experience," Sanchez said. "But everybody has to have a first time. Our kids are working hard and they are excited for their opportunity."

Cooper Van Kampen returns along with Grant Elliot on the defensive line. They will be joined by Jackson Perkins, Noah Fruecht and Eric Shealy along the front line in the Broncos' 4-3 scheme. Blake Holley, who also saw significant time, will be an anchor at linebacker along with Henry Ryan, David Lozzio, Randy Lobono, Alec Hansen and Parker Goodwin.

Robby Holland, Logan Moews, Zach Rizzio, Jacob Barron, Zyzda and Alec Andrea figure to see time in the defensive backfield.

Barrington will open with Glenbrook South this year and then head to the MSL East crossover games before MSL West conference action begins.

"It will be a battle every single week," Sanchez said. "We just want to go 1-0 each week."