Crystal Lake South lacks depth but has experience

Crystal Lake South plans to lean on some key figures from last year's playoff team to earn a second straight postseason invitation.

Though the Gators will be a young team overall, according to seventh-year coach Chuck Ahsmann, they return enough experienced difference-makers at key positions to show the younger guys how it's done.

That experience begins at quarterback, where Luke Nolan returns. He took over the position late in his sophomore year and started all 10 games last season.

"We're trying to utilize his athleticism more this year," Ahsmann said of Nolan, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.66 seconds. "We pretty much had him under center the last couple of years. He'll be in the gun more and we'll roll him out and do some option stuff."

As a junior, Nolan completed 92 of 169 passes (54.8 percent) for 10 touchdowns and was intercepted four times. He was named all-FVC Valley

"What people don't realize about him is how accurate a passer he is," Ahsmann said. "He has some great vision. He's been to a lot of camps and the reason he hasn't gotten an offer yet is arm strength - he's not throwing it 90 mph at you. But in baseball terms, he's more like a (Greg) Maddux. It's phenomenal the way he can put the ball where he wants it every single time."

Also returning on offense is junior Kyle Leva, who as a sophomore led the Gators in rushing (512 yards) and rushing touchdowns (7) and was likewise named all-FVC Valley.

Ahsmann said Leva will sometimes line up in I-formation and sometimes on the wing to take advantage of his pass-catching ability in the flats. Last year, he finished with 19 receptions for 291 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Nolan can also look to senior Matt Meyers, a 6-foot-4, 170-pound wide receiver who last year caught 18 passes for 282 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Mike Swiatly will see more carries at tailback after rushing last season for 125 yards in 39 attempts.

The offensive line is young and a work in progress, according to Ahsmann. However, that unit has a keystone to build around in prospect Trevor Keegan. The 6-6, 295-pound sophomore has already been offered a scholarship by Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald.

Defensively, Swiatly and junior linebacker Tyler Beckwith are CL South's top returning tacklers with 39 apiece. A two-way player, Swiatly moves on defense from rover to safety. Beckwith recorded 5 tackles for loss a year ago. He is joined by fellow returning interior linebacker Luke Marchewka. In 2015, he finished with 23.5 tackles, a sack and 2 forced fumbles.

Keegan will see time on the defensive line depending on down and distance.

Do the Gators have enough experience and skill on the 60-man roster to compete for a second consecutive playoff berth?

"I think we can be pretty good if we stay healthy," Ahsmann said. "Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of depth. Our enrollment is down to 1,500 so we don't have as many players to choose from. Making the playoffs tends to drive numbers up, but the depth we have is limited. Good teams overcome it."