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Football Team Looking to Build on Success
Coming off its best season in over 20 years, the 2009 Elmhurst College football team is looking to build upon the momentum it established during the 2008 season. Last season, the Bluejays posted a 7-3 overall finish, and a fourth place (4-3) finish in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin in head coach Tim Lester's debut season with the Bluejays.
"We had a very good season in 2008," said Lester, now in his second season at the helm of the Bluejays. "We want to continue to try and improve and take our program to the next level, but we know we have some holes to fill this season."
While the Bluejays return eight starters on the defensive side of the ball, the Elmhurst offense is short five starters from the 2008 squad, mainly at the skill positions.
"We're almost regrouping a bit on offense this season," said Lester. "We lost some very talented players to graduation, but I believe we have a lot of young players that could come in and start contributing immediately."
The biggest shoes to fill on the offensive side of the ball will be at quarterback after losing Chris Kudyba who tossed 25 touchdowns and threw for over 2,600 yards in 2008. Lester expects junior Phil Pedi (Addison/Driscoll Catholic) and sophomore Brian Grysen (Hudsonville, Mich./H.S.) along with six incoming freshmen to compete for the starting role.
"Much like last season, there are no guaranteed starting spots on this team," said Lester. "Everyone is going to have to compete for the starting roles and quarterback is no exception. We have two returning players and a host of incoming freshmen that I expect to battle it out in preseason camp. We're looking for a quarterback who not only has a good arm, but also makes the best decisions on the field."
Despite losing standout wide receiver Matt D'Angelo to graduation, the Elmhurst receiving corps appears to be in good shape. Seniors Blake Veldhuis (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./H.S.), Ryan Gierke (Elburn/Kaneland), and Mitch Holmer (Champaign/Central) all return to lead the Elmhurst receivers. Both Gierke and Veldhuis suffered injuries that required them to miss parts or all of the 2008 season.
"We have a very good trio of experienced wide receivers,” said Lester. "Losing Matt D'Angelo hurts, but I think part of the reason Matt had such a successful season last year was because we were very thin at wide receiver with all the injuries we sustained. We also have 12 incoming wide receivers that should be able to press for playing time."
At tight end, the Bluejays are pleased to have junior Lex Cisler (East Grand Rapids, Mich./H.S.) returning after missing the majority of last season with an injury. Junior Sean Seroka (Chicago/Brother Rice) and sophomore Brett Virgil (St. Joseph, Mich./H.S.) also return after combining for 233 yards and two touchdowns last season. Sophomore Alex Hammond (Saugatuck, Mich./H.S.) could also contribute at tight end after being moved from linebacker after the 2008 season.
"The tight end has always played an important part of our offense," said Lester. "We have three returning tight ends that have seen a lot of playing time, and Alex has been showing great promise after switching from linebacker."
Lester is aiming to see an improvement in the Bluejays' ground game this season. Elmhurst averaged just 104.9 rushing yards per game last season, with no Bluejay running back rushing for over 450 yards. Sophomore Griffin Gibson (Stevensville, Mich./H.S.) and junior Nick Herrera (Geneva/H.S.) both return after combining for 600 yards and three touchdowns in 2008. The Bluejays also have a group of talented recruits at running back who could challenge for a starting role.
"We need to find a way to run the ball more effectively this season," said Lester. "Establishing a ground attack early is a key to the offense because a good ground game will open up the passing attack."
The Bluejays' offensive line returns two starters from last season. Sophomore Chris Kool (Defiance, Mo./Lutheran) returns at left tackle while Junior Erik Personius (Sycamore/H.S.) will slide over to center after starting center Nick O'Brien (Gurnee/Warren) was lost for the upcoming season with an injury. Lester expects senior Matt Wood (Downers Grove/North) to be the front-runner at right guard and senior Ryan Nugent (Manhattan/Peotone) to take over at left guard after moving from the defensive line last season. Junior Ian Armstrong (Lombard/Glenbard East) and sophomore Pat Numbers (Johnsburg/H.S.) could battle for the starting right tackle job.
"We have some experienced players on the o-line," said Lester. "Last season we started three freshmen, so with a good camp, any of our 10 incoming recruits could find a way to crack the starting line-up."
Defensively, the Bluejays return eight starters from the 2008 campaign, but know that there are still areas to improve on.
"We're trying to set the bar higher than it was last year," said defensive coordinator Joe Adam. "We know that we have to do a better job of stopping the run."
The Bluejays return six experienced front line players to help stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback. Senior Kurt Nitschke (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./H.S.) and sophomores Jerry Beach (Forsyth/Maroa-Forsyth) and Blair Kessler (Janesville, Wis./H.S.) all saw time in the Bluejays’ rotation at defensive end. The trio combined for 10 tackles for loss and two sacks in 2008.
Seniors Joe Stumpfoll (Wheeling/H.S.) and Matt Robbins (Peotone/H.S.), along with sophomore Peter Alfano (Orland Park/Sandburg) should all see significant action in the middle of the line. Stumpfoll earned all-conference honors in 2008 while recording 6.5 tackles for loss, including 3.5 sacks.
Preseason All-American Randy Wright (Bellwood/Fenwick) returns to lead the Bluejays at linebacker. Wright had an outstanding debut season for Elmhurst in 2008, totaling a team-leading 119 tackles, including 22.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.
"Randy had a tremendous season in 2008," said Adam. "I honestly think that he can still get better which might be scary for our opponents. He's worked hard in the offseason on his technique and should be in for another monster year."
Junior Brandon Jones (Bloomingdale/Glenbard East) also returns to a starting linebacker spot. Senior Justin Gerkin (Geneva/H.S.), who sat out the 2008 season with an injury, and several incoming recruits could compete for the starting weakside linebacker position.
Elmhurst returns a pair of starters in the secondary. Sophomore Jon Janus (Lake Zurich/H.S.) returns at strong safety after totaling 80 tackles in 2008. Janus was the only freshman in the CCIW to earn all-conference recognition last season. Junior Dane Paul (Tolono/Unity) is a two-year starter at cornerback who led the Bluejays with five picks in 2008. Junior Kyle DeMus (Durand/H.S.) will also compete for time at free safety.
"While we have some key players in the secondary, we really have a lot of talented recruits in the secondary," said Adam. "On the defensive side of the ball, our recruits could have the biggest impact on our secondary this season."
On special teams, the Bluejays return Tyler Lomnicki (Elmhurst/York) at kicker and punter. Lomnicki booted six field goals and averaged 38.5 yards per punt last season before being injured in the final game of the season. Junior J.R. Dalicandro (Darien/Hinsdale South) provides the Bluejays plenty of depth in the kicking game.
As a whole, Lester believes that the Bluejays can still generate solid results despite relying on some young players in 2009.
"You never want to use the word 'young' to describe your team as you're about to play in the CCIW," said Lester. "Defensively, I believe we can compete with almost anyone in our league, but we have a lot of unanswered questions with our offense. If our young players deliver like they're capable of, this team could be in store for another big year."
Elmhurst opens the 2009 season by traveling to Benedictine University on Saturday, September 5.
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