The message at Mundelein is unity

It has come to this.

In the name of restoring human interaction, at least on his football team, Mundelein coach Larry Calhoun confiscates the electronics (yes, including phones) of all of his players during the three-day camp that the team attends at Carthage College over the summer.

Calhoun is one of several coaches around the suburbs who have a no-screen policy for summer camp road trips.

"It's amazing how much technology gets in the way of basic interacting," Calhoun said. "Last summer was the first year we did that with taking away the phones, and that was tough. This year, they knew it was coming.

"We want the kids to work on football (at the summer camp), but we also really want them to spend time with each other and get to know each other and bond as a team."

Something must be working because, coincidentially or not, the Mustangs seem to be a pretty tight group this year. And Calhoun is hoping that translates to success on the field as Mundelein tries to improve on last season's 2-7 record, and its long history as a lower rung team in the North Suburban Conference.

"I think that we are more bonded," Calhoun said. "We're getting better and better every year and it helps that the culture has improved. The kids seem to have more loyalty to each other, and they've bought into everything.

"The bottom line is that we want to be competitive every year and confidence has been one of the biggest issues in the past. This year, I think we have an expectation of success."

The Mustangs have some numbers that should help, as a total of 10 starters return, including quarterback Anthony Norris, a sturdy, imposing force at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds.

"Anthony's size is something that people see right away," Calhoun said. "He can be a punishing runner and he throws the ball well because his height gives him such an advantage. He can really see the field.

"He's worked his butt off to be a really good quarterback."

Two targets for Norris are veteran wide receivers Abram Nazario and Isaiah Wellman. Nazario, a jack-of-all-trades, could be playing various positions this season, including quarterback as a back-up.

Meanwhile, Nolan Seeger (6-foot-1, 275) returns on the offensive line and Calhoun says he is easily the Mustangs' best lineman.

Taiback Kyle Schaller, wide receiver Adonis Hagedorn and tight end Brandon Paluch are newcomers who could be impact players as well.

On defense, Jeff Morton, a starting outfielder for Mundelein's successful baseball team, leads a solid group of returners at linebacker.

Other starting linebackers returning are: Nick Pawlicki, Michael Pini and Logan Kvien.

Andrew Owens is back on the line and David Olechno returns in the secondary.

"We've simplified our schemes on defense and it really gives our kids more of a chance to read and react better without having to overthink so much," said Calhoun, who brought in Tony Wolanski from Conant to be his new defensive coordinator. "I think that should make us a lot better on defense."