Scouting the Addison Trail Blazers
Frustrating trends are the worst.
Last year Addison Trail's football team finished 4-5 for a third straight season, meaning for three straight seasons the Blazers finished on the wrong side of the edge of playoff qualification.
That edge looms again, and this group aims to land on the right side.
"We need to be more consistent," said Blazers coach Paul Parpet Jr. "One week to the next we'd look like two completely different teams. Both sides of the ball we have to be more consistent."
The offensive consistency of Nick D'Ambrose, who rushed for more than 2,500 yards the last two years, graduated. That leaves a gaping hole in production, but Addison Trail will take a different offensive path this season.
Quarterback Nick Daudelin returns after starting four games as a junior. Part of that experience came at running back, and his athleticism will come in handy with an increased workload.
"I want the ball in Nick Daudelin's hands 80 percent of the time, whether he's running the ball or throwing it," Parpet said. "He's by far the biggest weapon we have coming back."
Between running backs Pablo Mosely, J'Lan Williams and Kevin Catano the Blazers hope to run the ball enough to take the pressure off Daudelin, who has experienced receivers in Dennis Ionikov and Vince Daudelin and three returning linemen - Alex Sakleh, J.T. Daniels and third-year starter Jake Zaborowski.
The defense has strength up front with returning nose Michael Ruggieri and Proviso West transfer Damien McCraney. Sammy Retondo and Nico Nasti lead the linebackers, while Ionikov, Catano and Mosely will be two-way players in the secondary.
Last season the Blazers held four opponents to 7 points or fewer, but they were shut out three straight weeks.
Again, consistency is crucial.
"We'll be fine on defense, but we have to put more points on the board," Parpet said. "That's what it'll take to get us back to the playoffs."
One to watch: The Week 4 Gold opener against Willowbrook immediately will tell the Blazers where they stand.
The breakdown
Coach: Paul Parpet Jr. (ninth year, 38-38).
2017 record: 4-5, 2-4, tied for fourth in West Suburban Gold.
Top players: Nick Daudelin (QB, 6-1, 185, sr.), Jake Zaborowski (OL, 6-5, 290, sr.), Michael Ruggieri (DL, 6-0, 270, sr.), Dennis Ionikov (WR-DB, 5-10, 168, sr.), J.T. Daniels (OL-LB, 6-2, 197, sr.), Vince Daudelin (WR-DB, 6-1, 175, sr.), Sammy Retondo (LB, 5-10, 184, sr.), Nico Nasti (LB, 5-11, 195, sr.), Damien McCraney (DL, 6-0, 210, sr.), Alex Sakleh (OL, 6-0, 210, sr.), Pablo Mosely (RB-DB, 5-9, 170, sr.), J'Lan Williams (RB, 5-9, 175, sr.), Kevin Catano (RB-DB, 5-6, 175, sr.).
- Kevin Schmit
Schedule
Addison Trail
Fri, 8/24, Conant at Addison Trail, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 8/31, York at Addison Trail, 7:30 p.m.
Sat, 9/8, Addison Trail at Glenbard West, 1:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/14, Willowbrook at Addison Trail, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/21 Addison Trail at Downers Grove South, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 9/28, Addison Trail at Leyden, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/5, Hinsdale South at Addison Trail, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/12, Addison Trail at Morton, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, 10/19, Proviso East at Addison Trail, 7:30 p.m.