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52 | August 23, 2018 | The Northbrook tower football preview guide 2018 northbrooktower.com Chemistry key component for Scouts’ success David Jaffe Freelance Reporter Having good team chemistry has made Lake Forest a consistent playoff team the last several years. That key quality is also what Scouts coach Chuck Spagnoli feels will be the difference in whether they’re once again successful. “The biggest thing is to try to create chemistry among the team, that promotes positive play,” he said. “It’s easy to say and harder to accomplish.” The Scouts hope to continue an eight-season run in the IHSA state playoffs this season. Last year, a 6-5 Scouts squad reached the second round of the Class 6A playoffs before falling to Hoffman Estates High School. Lake Forest returns a number of experienced players from that team but will also see new faces including one at quarterback. The Scouts lost several key players to graduation, and will expect the new senior class, and even some underclassmen, to fill holes. “For the inexperienced guys unless you’ve played through significant situations it’s hard to be prepared for [the season] without living it,” Spagnoli said. “Team chemistry is the biggest reason for the success we’ve had. We have a Rylie Mills but 95 percent of our kids aren’t DI players. “So it’s going to take everyone playing well as a unit. There’s a method to this thing.” Offense The Scouts have veteran depth at certain offensive positions and some new faces at others. Coming into the 2018 season, the offense will have balance and the ability to tweak things based on its personnel. “We will be multiple with our formations and be able to utilize our running game and passing game pretty evenly,” Spagnoli said. “We also can adapt our system to whomever is in at quarterback or to our specific running backs and receivers. It’s just about defining certain roles right now.” Since Jack Mislinski graduated, it’s an open competition at quarterback among seniors Ryan Cekay, a Colgate University commit at wide receiver, Tommy Hanson and James Swartout. Each have different strengths they’re bring to the field. “They all prepare very well mentally,” Spagnoli said. “Ryan’s taller and more athletic. James throws the ball better. And Tommy has the best grasp on our system. If you combined those things, it’d be the perfect situation. But each kid gives something positive to the offense.” Jacob Thomas, who became the starting running back midway through last season, returns at the position this year. He helped the Scouts win their final three games to make playoffs last season, including running for 153 yards to beat Zion-Benton in a must-win game. “A year ago today, Jacob struggled with the mental aspect of the game,” Spagnoli said. “That’s where the biggest change has come. He’s a little bigger and stronger now but mentally he’s much more comfortable and confident.” The Scouts have the Lake Forest High School senior Ryan Cekay, a Colgate University commit, is expected to return at wide receiver this season and be in the rotation at quarterback. 22nd Century Media File Photo most depth at receiver and on the line. If Cekay isn’t quarterback, he’ll be one of the Scouts’ top targets like the last two years. Luke Nolan and Clay Burton have plenty of playing time as has tight end Crawford Bolton. Ultimatley, that plays out as an advantage to the Scouts new quarterback. “Late in the game, you start to get more tired mentally,” Swartout said. “Having guys like Ryan and Luke is a benefit because they know what it’s like being in close games in the fourth quarter. They can help the younger guys stay mentally focused and that as a quarterback helps a lot.” Chase Bahr, who committed to play for the University of Pennsylvania next year, leads a deep offensive line that will play seven or eight consistently. “Guys on our O-line like Matt Frank, Billy Gardner, Charlie Aberle and Brenden Chandler have been working their butts off and deserve a lot of credit,” Swartout said. “Their work has really paid off and I think it’s given us a very strong O-line.” Defense The Scouts graduated some great defensive players including linebackers John Deering and Bryan Ooms and defensive back Chris Cavalaris. Still, Spagnoli has experienced guys left on the line, in the secondary and at linebacker. “We have at least one or two players at each level that have been great for us,” Spagnoli said. “There’s leadership at all three levels of our defense. “We don’t have five linemen that are at Mills’ level, but guys like Ben Marwede and Billy Avery have been a huge part of what our defensive line does. We have three senior linebackers and have the most experience in our secondary.” Will Wisniewski started every game at linebacker last year and Luca Passinato and Ethan Hunt complete the linebacker corps. Ed Scheidler and Will Freeman lead the secondary. Junior defensive end Mills is the big name, though, at 6-5, 265 pounds. He has already received offers from 22 schools including big names like the University of Notre Dame, the University of Georgia, Clemson University, Penn State University, Oklahoma State University, the University of Alabama, Ohio State University and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. “As good of a player as Rylie is, he’s a better person and even harder worker,” Spagnoli said. “He works as hard as anyone we’ve had. That’s why he’s successful and will continue to be beyond high school.” Special Teams Special teams is as important to the Scouts as Key returns and losses Key Returns DL Rylie Mills – 34 total tackles, 4 sacks RB Jacob Thomas - 142 carries, 700 yards WR, QB Ryan Cekay – 747 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns, 42 catches WR Luke Nolan – 14 catches, 195 yards OL Chase Bahr – University of Pennsylvania commit Key Losses DB Alex Moss LB, RB Bryan Ooms – 3 sacks, 23 total tackles, 94 carries for 490 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns QB Jack Mislinski – 1,459 yards, 11 touchdowns DB Chris Cavalaris - 4 interceptions, 48 total tackles LB John Deering - 69 total tackles, 3 sacks any other phase of the game. “We take a lot of pride in special teams,” Spagnoli said. “It’s as important to us as first-and-ten or thirdand-seven. Blocking a punt, forcing a turnover or getting a touchback are all just as critical to us playing well.” There’s also talent among the potential punt and kick returners with Nolan, Cekay, Thomas and junior Breck Nowik while Kai Kroeger will punt and compete for kicker along with Carter Hiam and Nolan Petzer.
northbrooktower.com football preview guide 2018 the northbrook tower | August 23, 2018 | 53 Experienced New Trier looks for deep playoff run Michael Wojtychiw Contributing Sports Editor New Trier players and coaches know there are a couple games everyone has circled on the schedule: Loyola and Maine South. The Trevians aren’t looking past their first game against York, however. Why’s that? Because of a saying running backs coach and strength and conditioning coordinator Jim Davis said to the team: Start fast. Stay focused. Finish strong. Last year’s squad made the playoffs for the 15th consecutive season and partook in one of the playoffs’ best games, a 35-32 Loyola win over the neighboring Trevians. With just over 10 minutes left in the game, the Ramblers led 35-10 before New Trier scored 22 unanswered points, seeing its chance at an upset end when Loyola recovered an onside kick with 70 seconds remaining. A good amount of experience comes back from that squad and it’s looking to advance deeper into the playoffs this season. “Our kids have set a goal to play big in big games, games against Maine South and Loyola, and we’re not going to hide from that,” head coach Brian Doll said. “We feel like we can win those games, be competitive in those games, so we can win a conference championship and not just be in the playoffs and win a first round game, we feel that with the size we halve, the depth we have, the talent we have, this is a year we hope to do something special.” Offense The Trevians are blessed this season to return their starting quarterback, running back, left side of their offensive line and a wide receiver. Having that type of experience returning, especially at key positions, is something many teams don’t have. “There’s a lot of confidence in the returners understanding our New Trier quarterback Carson Ochsenhirt shakes off a Loyola tackler during the teams’ first-round playoff game Oct. 28 in Wilmette. 22nd Century Media File photo system, knowing what they’re doing,” Doll said. “Carson (Ochsenhirt)’s maturity in the offseason is well noticed by our staff. The way he notices things, the way he leads, people respond to him.” Carson Ochsenhirt took over the starting quarterback position a couple games into the season last year and didn’t let go of the position. He helped lead the team to an average of 31 points per game over the last six games of the year, only scoring less than 28 points once along the way. “I have a lot more experience now, a lot more experience in dropping back and throwing the ball and in my reads,” Ochsenhirt said. “Last year I wasn’t as prepared for that, but now I understand my reads and feel more comfortable to make my throws.” Even though the left side of the offensive line returns, Doll feels that the right side may not only have more size, but will also surprise some people along the way. Players on the right side of the line include David Davidkoff and Rob Wright, who is a hockey player who never played football before. Some newcomers Doll looks to make some big moves are Michael Andre, a slot receiver who played on JV last season, and Potter Burns, a taller receiver who will play backside receiver. Defense Like the offense, the defense returns a good amount of starters – five – from a defense that allowed more than 17 points in only three of the team’s 10 games last season. Many of those players, such as Duke Olges, Sitzer, Ochsenhirt, all play both ways on offense and defense, something Doll said he has no qualms in doing. “I believe that we get our best 11 guys on defense to start,” Doll said. “I really focus on getting our personnel correct on defense because I feel that if people can’t score, we’ll find a way to score and win games if we can really slow teams down. “I focus on getting the best 11 athletes on the field on defense, focus on the speed, strength, size combination as possible. When we go over to offense, we try to sub our kids based on getting them a break but if you’re the best at both positions, we try to condition you.” Many of the players’ versatility will allow the Trevians to give teams different looks, whether it be moving a player up into more of a linebacker role from the defensive backfield, or having one of the outside linebackers become more of a pass rusher. New Trier does return both its starting cornerbacks, Donovan Perkins and Carson Kosanovich. The two combined for 54 tackles last season, with Kosanovich also having a team-leading nine pass deflections and Perkins leading the team with two forced fumbles. Special teams Special teams is arguably the most important position group on a football team. If a team Key returnees and losses Key returnees QB/DB Carson Ochsenhirt - 614 passing yards, two touchdowns passing, 558 yards rushing, four rushing touchdowns RB/LB Brian Sitzer - 593 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, 6.4 yards per carry, 51 tackles, four sacks DB Carson Kosanovixh - 28 tackles, nine pass deflections, two interceptions K Graham Dable - 15/16 XP, 5/7 FG Key losses LB Wilson MacRitchie - 75 tackles, interception, fumble recovery DB Matt Mosher - 67 tackles, three interceptions, five tackles for loss DB Jacob Levy - 51 tackles, three interceptions, forced fumble WR Anthony Nicholas - 36 catches, 499 receiving yards, two touchdowns has a good, reliable kicker and/ or punter, that can absolutely change the game. Throw in a good punt or kick returner that can give a team good field position after a kick, it’s even better. Luckily for the Trevians, they return one of the best kickers in the area, Graham Dable. The senior took over in game two last season, after Sam Rutherford decided to focus on soccer, and got better as the season went along. He made some good impressions during the summer attending multiple kicking camps that featured the nation’s top kickers. “His development in the offseason has been unbelievable,” the coach said. “Now he’s a nationally-ranked kicker, he’ll be a Division I kid, I’m already hearing from a lot of colleges about him. He’s a weapon for us and the way we’re going to be able to use him is outstanding.”
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