Football: Antioch's eager for reversal of fortune
Three-and-out is bad enough.
But the problem in a season that ended without a playoff berth was worse than that.
Try four-and-out.
After four quarterbacks suffered injuries, Antioch might have been ready to punt its 2015 season.
"That 'Next Man Up' speech that every coach says was getting a little old by Week 4," Sequoits coach Brian Glashagel said with a laugh. "The kids are looking at you like, 'Yeah, yeah, yeah.' They weren't believing it."
Under Glashagel, the Sequoits' belief that they be a playoff qualifier every year hasn't been an issue. They've played postseason football five times in Glashagel's nine seasons, and last year's 5-4 record marked their sixth winning campaign, which doesn't include a 5-4 regular season (first-round playoff loss) in 2013.
Antioch started 3-1 last year before losing three of its next four - by a total of 23 points. Back-to-back losses to Zion-Benton (21-20 score) and Wauconda (17-10) in Weeks 7 and 8, respectively, sealed the Sequoits' fate.
"Not that it matters, but we were better than our record," Glashagel said. "Besides the whole (quarterback) situation, we had three seniors at the center and two guard positions that were out for the last third of our season. I think each coach - if he coaches long enough - gets a year like that, where the football gods are being cruel to you."
Antioch heads into this season with some of the 2015 QBs ready to give it another try. Junior Branden Gallimore is scheduled to be the season-opener starter against Kenosha Tremper. He began last season as a varsity starter in the secondary and backup quarterback but broke his collarbone on Opening Night at Tremper. Starting QB Danny Meade tore up his ankle in the Sequoits' home opener the next week against Moline, ending the senior's season.
Brandon Lind, who figured to compete for the starting-quarterback position, blew out his knee before the season started. All the injuries thrust sophomore John Petty into the QB spot. Petty later broke his leg against Round Lake, leaving backup running back Nicholas Hairrell to take snaps behind center.
Petty will play wide receiver this season. Lind (6-0, 190) will be part of a running-back contingent that also includes Mike Kawell, Drew Porter and Hunter Price.
"Lind can play anywhere on the field," said Glashagel, whose team graduated three-year varsity star Griffin Hill (Minnesota Duluth), who was a two-time all-area running back.
The offensive line returns junior Cameron Norris, senior Josh Sidare and Julius Catalan, while Marc Gillespie will play tight end.
"We're definitely stronger (physically)," said senior Ben Gutke, who was an honorable mention all-conference selection last year. "We've all been hitting the weights pretty hard, and we don't want it to end up like last year. We want to make the playoffs. We want to win the conference."
Gutke is a key for the Sequoits. A 5-11, 210-pound linebacker, he's also maybe the best kicker/punter in the county. He holds the school record for most field goals in season, longest field goal and longest punt.
Gutke and middle linebacker George Bessette (5-11, 210) will be leaders on the defense. Bessette, a three-time state-qualifying wrestler, played nose guard last season.
"We're fast, strong and aggressive," Bessette said of the defense. "If (during practice) the offense gets any momentum, we just get mad. And we do better, actually."
Bessette, Gutke, Lind and outside linebacker Logan Weber are captains. Glashagel will use Lind's athleticism in the defensive secondary, as well. Senior Marino Martinelli started on the defensive line last fall, while senior lineman Nick Clifton also played a lot. Xavier Sanchez, another good wrestler, is a two-way lineman. John Howe started in the secondary as a junior.
"I think we'll be strong this year," Gutke said. "I think we always put up a good fight. Especially with the new conference (Northern Lake County), everyone's pretty excited about this."