Hampshire's quest is to improve in FVC
Hampshire made the playoffs in 2015, but the Whip-Purs ran into trouble last season.
When the Fox Valley Conference contracted by four teams and did away with the two-division format, Hampshire for the first time found itself lining up weekly against the league's more established programs like Prairie Ridge, Cary-Grove, Huntley and Jacobs. Instead of making consecutive playoff appearances as hoped, the Whip-Purs finished 3-6 and missed the playoffs after losing 6 of 8 against FVC schools.
"Going 3-6 was a tough pill to swallow," fourth-year coach Mike Brasile said. "We're hoping to have a little better result this year."
An offense that gained 75 percent of its 3,195 total yards through the air last fall has a new look. Taking over for graduated all-area quarterback Jake Vincent will be either senior Ben Corcelles (5-10, 150) or senior Drew Dalby (6-2, 180).
Corcelles is a dual threat. The honor roll student can run and throw, his coach said, whereas Dalby is more of a classic pocket passer with less mobility. Brasile said he wouldn't name a starter until after the purple and white scrimmage on Aug. 18.
Whoever starts at quarterback will benefit from the return of three starting linemen, including two-year team captain Jake Detiveaux (6-2, 285) at left guard. Right guard Dom Incapreo (6-0, 220) and right tackle Ryan Korabick (6-3, 210) add a veteran presence to the unit.
The new quarterback has a nice stable of receivers coming back. Senior Cameron Fleury (5-11, 160) was Hampshire's second-leading receiver last season with 37 catches for 520 yards and 2 touchdowns. Senior Erik Starrenburg (6-2, 180) had 26 receptions for 220 yards and 2 scores. Also back is senior tight end Devin Baldridge (6-3, 190).
Another target is senior Nick Rummel. The 5-foot-11, 150-pound senior played cornerback last season and will do so again. He also brings a new dynamic to the slot receiver position. "He has really good hands and he's explosive," Brasile said. "He can make a guy miss and take it to the house with breakaway speed."
Junior Jake See (5-11, 195) will remain a linebacker like last year, but he'll also play running back. He'll be the featured back with senior Trevone Woods (6-2, 214) getting his share of carries.
Defense plagued Hampshire a year ago when all 11 starters were new to a 3-5 scheme with 4-2 principles. The result? The Whips allowed 39.6 points and 419 total yards per game, FVC highs in both categories.
The 2017 defense isn't nearly as green. Seven starters return, led by four two-way players: Detiveaux (end), See (linebacker), Rummell (corner) and Baldridge (safety). Also back are senior nose guard Julio Alvarez (5-11, 245), senior linebacker Jake Walsh (6-0, 200) and cornerback Zane Sheetz (5-10, 160).
Brasile thinks he and his staff will have a better handle on Hampshire's opponents in their second tour through the 9-team FVC.
"It's nice to have a year to digest the league," Brasile said. "When we went against the league last year we saw things they weren't showing on film and we had to do things on the fly and make adjustments after a series or a half. This year we'll be able to answer some things offenses did to us last year."