Scouting the Hinsdale South Hornets
It seemed as if Hinsdale South's football team broke a program record every week last season while rolling to the Class 6A semifinals.
Whether it was passing and receiving yards on offense or interceptions on defense, the Hornets rewrote entire chapters of their record book. It helped them come within three points of reaching the state title game.
Now it's up to a new crew of talent to keep the momentum going.
"We're going to have some fresh faces on the field," said Hornets coach Mike Barry. "But we believe so strongly in what we do as a program that we should still contend."
To defend the West Suburban Gold title and plow deep into the playoffs again, the Hornets must rebuild the offense. It starts at quarterback, where they have senior Brian Rudolph but also welcome a talented junior in Oswego East transfer Justin Kolzow.
Receiver Destin Talbert, who had 14 catches for 205 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore, was the fastest player on last year's team. Shawn Wimberly rushed for 149 yards and 2 scores.
"The overall athleticism is not going to change for us on offense," Barry said. "We'll be able to build around our talent."
It's a great start for an offense that returns linemen Zach Zarubin and Aaron Woods, a defensive starter last season. Woods also will play defense to join returning linebackers Deontae Curry and Jack Bortman.
Talbert, Julian Kinsey and D.J. Anderson, a starter on the basketball team who came out for football, anchor a secondary that'll have a hard time replacing graduated all-state safety Robert Hall.
Records may not fall at the rate they did last season, but the Hornets still have the talent to pile up wins.
"There are always going to be question marks," Barry said. "We're confident that what we're going to put on the field will be competitive. Some of the talent is just a little unknown right now."
One to watch: Week 1
Nonconference games are critical for Gold teams, and Prospect is an unknown.
The breakdown
Coach: Mike Barry (sixth year, 33-20; ninth year overall, 42-38).
2015 record: 9-4, 5-1, first in West Suburban Gold.
Top players: Deontae Curry (LB, 6-0, 220, sr.), Aaron Woods (OL-DL, 6-2, 250, sr.), Shawn Wimberly (RB, 5-10, 180, sr.), D.J. Anderson (DB, 5-9, 160, sr.), Destin Talbert (WR-DB, 6-0, 164, jr.), Brian Rudolph (QB, 6-0, 165, sr.), Justin Kolzow (QB, 6-3, 190, jr.), Zach Zarubin (OL, 5-10, 190, sr.), Jack Bortman (LB, 6-1, 200, sr.), Julian Kinsey (DB, 5-11, 168, jr.), Colton Kotecki (WR, 5-10, 149, jr.), Jacob Brocato (WR, 6-3, 210, sr.), Karol Lipiszko (WR, 6-1, 155, sr.), Shawn Cephus (LB, 5-8, 163, jr.), Chris Mosley (DL, 6-3, 190, jr.).
- Kevin Schmit
Schedule
Hinsdale South
Fri, 8/26, Hinsdale South at Prospect, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/2, Glenbard West at Hinsdale South, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/9, Downers Grove South at Hinsdale South, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/16, Hinsdale South at Willowbrook, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/23, Proviso East at Hinsdale South, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/30, Hinsdale South at Addison Trail, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/7, Leyden at Hinsdale South, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/14, Hinsdale South at Hinsdale Central, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/21, Hinsdale South at Morton, 7:30 p.m.