Scouting the Westmont Sentinels
In football if you're small you'd better be fast. That seems to be Westmont's reality.
"We're not big but we're really quick," said Sentinels coach Otto Zeman. "If we get our receivers the ball, we do a pretty good job of catching the football. Our toughness will be the big factor."
Mental toughness is required to face the Wilmingtons of the Interstate Eight Conference; physical grit is required for the 36-man roster to stay healthy and fresh.
"We're going to throw more than we have in the past," Zeman said. "We're going to have to pass block, which is something I think we're capable of doing."
Westmont, which passed for 1,220 yards last season behind graduated quarterback Kyle Domin, presents a decent stable of receivers led by Marquis Thomas.
In one 2014 game the three-year starter caught 8 passes for 332 yards and 5 touchdowns, the fourth-most receiving yards in state history. Last season he was Westmont's runaway leader with 41 receptions, 703 yards, 11 touchdowns.
Other targets include sophomores Ishmay Kone and Mike Thompson and seniors Anthony Lischalk and Alex Marotta, at 215 pounds one of the larger Sentinels.
Junior quarterback Brenton Baldwin fared well in spot duty helming Westmont's spread offense. He's only 5-foot-8, but Zeman likes Baldwin's brains and arm.
"I think he'll be able to make the reads, so I think he'll do a great job," the coach said.
Returner Robert Russo will head the ground game. He joins Marotta and lineman Josh Thime among several two-way players. A new 3-3 defensive front looks to capitalize on team speed.
At an early practice under a hot sun Westmont's work ethic impressed Zeman. Despite the size and depth limitations, effort, intensity, teamwork and simply having fun are what he seeks.
"We're starting to do the right things and give our best effort all the time," he said. "That's all you can do."
- Dave Oberhelman
The breakdown
Coach: Otto Zeman (fourth year, 8-19; 32nd overall, 170-135).
2015 record: 3-6, 2-3, fourth in the Interstate Eight Small.
Top players: Tre Arias (LB, 5-10, 135, sr.), Brenton Baldwin (QB, 5-8, 130, jr.), Ishmay Kone (WR, 6-3, 150, so.), Anthony Lischalk (WR-DB, 5-7, 130, sr.), Alex Marotta (WR-DE, 6-2, 215, so.), Robert Russo (RB-LB, 5-9, 160, sr.), Josh Thime (OL-DE, 6-3, 215, sr.), Marquis Thomas (WR-DB, 5-10, 170, sr.), Mike Thompson (WR, 6-0, 160, so.).
Westmont
Fri, 8/26, Lake View at Westmont, 7 p.m.
Fri, 9/2, Westmont at Aurora Central Catholic, 7:15 p.m.
Fri, 9/9, Wilmington at Westmont, 7 p.m.
Fri, 9/16, Westmont at Seneca, 7 p.m.
Fri, 9/23, Reed-Custer at Westmont, 7 p.m.
Fri, 9/30, Westmont at Peotone, 7:15 p.m.
Fri, 10/7, Lisle at Westmont, 7:15 p.m.
Fri, 10/14, Streator at Westmont, 7 p.m.
Fri, 10/21, Westmont at Plano, 7:30 p.m.
One to watch: Week 7
The game against top rival Lisle for the traveling Old Plank Road Trophy is the one these players will remember.