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58 | August 23, 2018 | The Northbrook tower football preview guide 2018 northbrooktower.com Spartans set sights on conference title, return to playoffs Martin Carlino, Editor Following a 2017 season that ended with a disappointing 5-4 record, the Spartans are heading into this season with a focus on returning to a familiar spot for the program — the top of the Central Suburban North standings. Injuries to key players on both sides of the ball and a roster lacking experience factored into the atypical finish for the Spartans, but head coach Bob Pieper knows last season’s difficulties built valuable experience for this year’s group. “As young as we were last year, a lot of kids got experience,” Pieper said. “The two things that hurt us last year were youth and injuries. ... A 5-4 [record] is unacceptable for our program as we’ve said many times. Not making the playoffs is unacceptable, but we did get a lot of playing times from guys, so when there was injuries, the next guy had to step up and play and they happened to be young guys.” With the hope of reversing last season’s script, this year’s team filled summer workouts and practices with an increased sense of urgency, led by senior captains Nick Mantas, Ben Kieffer and Ethan Quayle. “We’ve been working really hard,” Mantas said. “We’ve been trying to put in some work in the weight room and work harder on the field than last year. We were definitely disappointed with how things ended last year, so we don’t want our senior year to end like last year did. We’re putting in the work to make sure that doesn’t happen.” With the season nearing, the team leaders have set a clear goal for this year. “Winning conference is the big thing this year,” Kieffer said. “Everyone around here just knows that. ... Overall, we have the team to win conference.” Offense The Glenbrook North offense returns six of 11 starters from its 2017 unit that averaged 24 points per game. The departures of Jimmy Karfis, Chris Heywood and Davu Keels — three of the Spartans biggest offensive contributors in 2017 — creates the opportunity for a new group of leaders to step up on offense. And, at the helm of that group is Quayle, who projects to be a key cog in GBN’s offense. Quayle anticipates the team will tighten up its offensive play from last year. “Leadership-wise on offense, I think we’re going to be better,” he said. “I think we just have to limit the mistakes this year. We had a lot of penalties last year that set us off. We’re going to fix that and we’re going to be better at that for sure.” The role of Chris Park in the team’s offense was limited last season because of injuries, but Pieper anticipates he’ll also be part of the team’s backfield. “Chris played for us last year and got some reps as a junior when Jimmy [Karfis] was out ... he’s got some experience as well, so we’ll be looking for Chris to do some things this year as well as some other guys,” he said. According Senior captain Ethan Quayle bursts through an opening during the 2017 season. Quayle is among the players head coach Bob Pieper expects to make an impact this season. 22nd Century Media File Photo to Pieper, the offense has not yet determined a starting quarterback, largely because of the impressive play from Tibor Klein, Dylan Buckner and Ben Foster, the three players fighting for the spot. “They’re all fighting and they’re all doing a good job,” Pieper said. At wide receiver, the Spartans return three receivers from last year’s group. Kieffer, who was primarily a defensive back last season, will also spend time on offense this season, per Pieper. “[Ben] showed last year with his interceptions and ball-hawking that he can play receiver and he can catch the ball, so we’ll use him when we can,” Pieper said. The team’s offensive line will return three of its five starters from 2017. Defense A group that lacked experience last season is now one filled with just that. GBN’s defense will have a familiar look as seven starters are slated to return this season. Starting corners Max Luc and Kieffer will return to man the Spartan defensive backfield this season. “We have both of our corners back with Max Luc and Ben Keiffer, so hopefully after playing nine games on that side of the ball, they understand what we’re looking for on defense and shutting those things down on the outside,” Pieper said. One of the team’s major departures is standout linebacker Skyler Metzger, who led the team with 74 tackles. Despite losing Metzger, Pieper is excited to see what this year’s linebacking group will bring. “We’ve got three of four back there as well,” he said. “Anytime you lose a guy like Skyler, it’s going to hurt. ... Somebody will step up and step in.” Returning players on the defensive line, as well as the offensive line, is one element of this year’s team that Pieper feels is imperative. “That’s huge [for us],” he said. “Everything starts up front. We talk about blocking and tackling every day. Everyone can talk about whatever they want with X’s and O’s and teams and schemes, but it’s about blocking and tackling. So having three of the five back on offense and two of the four back on defense up front helps us a lot.” Key returns and losses Key returns DB/WR Ben Kieffer — finished with five interceptions last season and projects to be a part of the team’s offense this season RB/DB Ethan Quayle — the Spartans will look to Quayle as one of the key options on offense OL/DL Nick Mantas — will lead the Spartans offensive live, which returns three of five starters from last season RB/LB Chris Park — showcased his explosiveness early last season, but was limited because of injuries Key losses RB Jimmy Karfis — 845 all-purpose yards, nine touchdowns WR/RB Chris Heywood — 11 offensive touchdowns in 2017 WR Davu Keels — team-leading 31 receptions LB — Skyler Metzger — 74 tackles last season Special Teams The return of his kicker and punter from last season, mixed with a range of skill-position players has Pieper pleased with how the Spartans shape up on special teams. GBN’s strong mix of talent from its position players should make for a productive special teams unit. Per Pieper, the Spartans return several players who played on “the front wall” of the field goal and extra point units. “We’ve got some guys back who have been there and done that,” he said. “So we just have to find the rest of the pieces of the puzzle.”
northbrooktower.com football preview guide 2018 the northbrook tower | August 23, 2018 | 59 22nd century file photo 1st-and-3 Athletes/teams of the week 1. Ethan Quayle (ABOVE) The Spartans running back and defensive back will work to be a key contributor for GBN this season. 2. Ben Kieffer GBN’s defensive star was a consistent key for the defense last season and he’ll try to do the same this time around. 3. Nick Mantas The Spartans’ center will try to provide the leadership head coach Bob Pieper is looking for so his team returns to the postseason this year. 2018 Glenbrook North High School Football Schedule Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 at Wheeling 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 hosts Grant 7:00 p.m. Sept. 7 hosts Hoffman Estates 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Elk Grove 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Maine West 7 p.m. Sept. 28 hosts Highland Park 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at Maine East 7 p.m. Oct. 12 hosts Deerfield 7 p.m. Oct. 19 hosts Vernon Hills 7:30 p.m. 2018 Highland Park High School Football Schedule Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 at Libertyville 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 hosts Lakes 7 p.m. Sept. 7 hosts Rolling Meadows 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Schaumburg 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 hosts Vernon Hills 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Glenbrook North 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at Deerfield 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at Maine West 7 p.m. Oct. 19 hosts Maine East 7 p.m. 2018 Glenbrook South High School Football Schedule Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 at Rolling Meadows 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at St. Patrick 7 p.m. Sept. 7 hosts Palatine 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Fremd 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 hosts Niles North 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at Niles West 7 p.m. Oct. 5 hosts Maine South 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 hosts Evanston 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at New Trier 7:30 p.m. Game of the Week: Other matchups: PRESSBOX PICKS • Lake Forest (0-0) at Antioch (0-0) • Loyola (0-0) at Rockford (Mich.) (0-0) • New Trier (0-0) at York (0-0) • Highland Park (0-0) at Libertyville (0-0) • Glenbrook South (0-0) at Rolling Meadows (0-0) • Glenbrook North (0-0) at Wheeling (0-0) • Glenbard West (0-0) at Maine South (0-0) 0-0 JOE COUGHLIN | Publisher • Lake Forest 28, Antioch 24 Fun opener between two solid teams, but Scouts defense holds. • Loyola • New Trier • Libertyville • Rolling Meadows • Glenbrook North • Maine South 0-0 BRITTANY KAPA | Contributing Sports Editor • Antioch 21, Lake Forest 14 Scouts hold their own but Antioch pulls ahead with a late fourthquarter touchdown. • Loyola • New Trier • Highland Park • Rolling Meadows • Glenbrook North • Maine South 2018 New Trier High School Football Schedule Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 at York 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 hosts Loyola 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7 hosts Fremd 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Palatine 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Niles West 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 hosts Evanston 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Niles North 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at Maine South 7 p.m. Oct. 19 hosts Glenbrook South 7:30 p.m. 2018 Loyola Academy Football Schedule Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 at Rockford, MI 7 p.m. Aug. 31 at New Trier 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 hosts Mt. Carmel 1:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Brother Rice 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at St. Ignatius 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 hosts Montini 1:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at De La Salle 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at St. Rita 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 hosts Providence Catholic 1 p.m. 2018 Lake Forest High School Football Schedule Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 at Antioch 7:15 p.m. Aug. 31 hosts Wheaton North 7 p.m. Sept. 7 hosts Mundelein 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Lake Zurich 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 hosts Warren 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at Waukegan 1:30 p.m. Oct. 5 hosts Zion-Benton 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Libertyville 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at Stevenson 7:30 p.m. 0-0 MICHAL DWOJAK | Sports Editor • Antioch 24, Lake Forest 13 Antioch shows last year wasn’t just last year with the Scouts failing to keep up. • Loyola • New Trier • Libertyville • Glenbrook South • Glenbrook North • Maine South 0-0 0-0 MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW | Contributing Sports Editor • Antioch 17, Lake Forest 10 The Scouts have questions on offense; Antioch brings back key defenders from last year’s 9-1 squad for the win. • Loyola • New Trier • Libertyville • Glenbrook South • Glenbrook North • Maine South MARTIN CARLINO | Editor • Antioch 24, Lake Forest 21 The Scouts are unquestionably a talented group, but this a tough Week 1 test. • Loyola • New Trier • Libertyville • Rolling Meadows • Glenbrook North • Maine South Listen Up “As young as we were last year, a lot of guys got experience.” Bob Pieper— The Glenbrook North head football coach on returning experience this season. tunE in What to watch this week The Glenbrook North boys and girls cross-country teams both host GBS on Monday, Aug. 27. • 4:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 27, at GBN Index 51 - Varsity 50 - Athlete of the Week Fastbreak is compiled by The Tower’s staff. Send comments to m.dwojak@22ndcenturymedia.com.
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