Hauck embraces special challenge at Wheeling
It was a special year last season for Wheeling's football program.
The Wildcats qualified for the playoffs for the first time in eight years before losing to Cary-Grove in the opening round of the Class 6A postseason.
This year the Wildcats look to keep the playoff streak going under new head coach Brian Hauck.
"The players are excited," said Hauck, who teaches at Wheeling, but coached at Rolling Meadows until taking over from Brent Pearlman. "We are really looking forward to building off of the success of last season. The players were committed in their off-season workouts and we had strong attendance from the guys we have out during the summer."
Despite that, Wheeling has just 40 players on its varsity, and that includes the sophomores. Hauck knows that they have to create enthusiasm among the student body in order to increase the numbers in his program.
"We have to recruit the hallways," Hauck said. "And you have to have a system in place to do that. Having wins does help, but you have to make sure that the experiences that the players have is part of that."
Hauck looks to build on the success he saw at Rolling Meadows and in his time as an assistant coach at Wheeling under former coach Dave Dunbar.
"We have to build the group we have," Hauck said. "The difference is that their retention rate is high. That is something we are trying to work toward."
Right now, the Wildcats have very solid offensive and defensive lines to work with. Nate Dierks, Isaac Martinez, Carols Martinez, Robert Nehrke and Antionio Uriostigue all return on the offensive side, and Tony Cardenas is also part of the mix.
Graduation took a toll on Wheeling's main skill positions. Junior Michael Best, who was a part time running back last season, will move to quarterback this year.
"It was a little rough early for him," Hauck said. "He got more comfortable in July when we had more football time together. Now he is taking the leadership role that we expect quarterbacks to take."
Ryan Glassberg, who played on a limited scale last year, has distinguished himself in practice to earn the starting role there.
Brandon Zettek, Billy Provost and Zack Hembd look to lead way at wide receivers while Solomon Kong and Jamil Eggleston will be at the slots.
On defense, again the line will lead the way
Freddie McCloud returns at defensive line along with John Ufir. Those seniors will anchor the unit along with Dirks, Carlos Martinez, Uriostigue and Cardenas.
At linebacker, Willie Giles, Aidan McCoy, JP Smith, Zettek and Glassberg will compete for spots. The secondary will have Kong and Mao Gurney, who is a three-year starter at safety, while Eggleston, Noel Hurtado and John Quinter will be rotating in at corner.
"I grew up in this community and I know what to expect," Hauck said. "It has grown a bit and it takes a little bit of flexibility to work with the players and their families. We are looking to build some positive leadership and build that through community. The more that we do that, the more we will be able to attract the right players here."