Plenty of skill returns for Jacobs
If you enjoyed the best Jacobs football season in history in 2016, you'll like the encore.
With starters returning at 18 of 22 positions, nine on each side of the ball, the Golden Eagles look to capitalize on the momentum of last year's 7-5 season, which wasn't extinguished until the final moments of a 28-21 loss to Fenwick in a Class 7A quarterfinal.
The Golden Eagles were driving for the potential tying score when dependable running back Loren Strickland fumbled and Fenwick regained possession. It was an ironic twist considering his late-season emergence as one of the area's top ball carriers was a key reason Jacobs advanced deeper in the playoffs than ever before.
Entering his third varsity season, Strickland (5-foot-10, 190 pounds) is one of the area's top athletes. Not only was he was named all-area and all-Fox Valley Conference in football last season after rushing for 848 yards and 11 touchdowns in 139 attempts (6.1 avg.), he was also a regional champion wrestler and qualified for the state track and field meet in the long jump and 800-meter relay.
"He has amazing balance, he's tough, strong and fast," Jacobs coach Bill Mitz said. "He's everything you dream of in a running back. He was upset on that last carry against Fenwick when he unfortunately fumbled, so he's got that chip on his shoulder. He wants to go."
Strickland has interest from Northern Iowa and Illinois State, among other FCS schools, his coach said. The strong student is also getting looks from some Ivy League schools. He'll again be joined in the backfield by David Boutros, a senior, and junior fullback Steve Kavanaugh.
A big reason for Strickland's success last season was a midseason switch to the power running game Mitz and offensive coordinator Andy Farrissey felt better suited the team's personnel.
This season they'll employ the same power ground game, which features trapping, pulling and misdirection by one of the area's largest offensive lines, a unit led by SIU-bound left tackle Jimmy Wormsely (6-3, 297). The returning all-area pick enters his fourth varsity season.
Wormsley is rejoined by third-year center Dylan DeMuth (6-2, 215), senior Cade Purifoye (6-4, 297) and junior Cade Portell (6-2, 229) to form one of the most experienced offensive lines areawide.
As if that hefty front line wasn't a handful already, it grew in stature this summer when Mitz convinced Joacheim "Joey" Price - a 6-foot-9, 315-pound junior - to give football a try. The two-year varsity basketball player rounds out the line at right tackle.
"He has great feet and he's worked very hard," Mitz said of Price. "Of all my teams at Stevenson and Jacobs, this is by far the biggest line I've ever had."
Though the Golden Eagles should be able to impose their will via the running game, they have some proven pass catchers in third-year wide receiver Trevor Fitzsimmons (5-11, 180), all-Fox Valley Conference tight end John Farrissey (6-0, 190) and returning senior Jermaine Maegdlin-Ferguson (5-10, 180).
The job of replacing three-year quarterback Chris Katrenick falls to junior Anthony Wilson (6-0, 180). "He's throwing well and doing the things he has to do to manage our offense," Mitz said. "He was our No. 2 last year and practiced with the varsity. I'm excited for him."
Likewise, the Jacobs defense is stocked with experienced players, led by all-FVC defensive end Eric Schutt, Jacobs' sack leader a year ago. Schutt has an offer from Northern Michigan. He is joined on the line by returning junior Nick Zonta (6-2, 225).
Two-way player Fitzsimmons starts at cornerback. Also returning to the secondary are Maeglin-Ferguson and athletic junior Jukauri Bland.
Linebacker is a team strength. Returnees include seniors Aidan Sproule (6-0, 190), Tyson Pachniak (6-2, 220), Jacob Hahnfeld (5-10, 180) and Kaiden O'Connor (6-0, 210).
"It's a good group," Mitz said of the defense. "They've been running to the ball all summer. We hope to be able to get some three-and-outs, get the ball back, drive and score."