Sports

Coach: LTHS Football Team 'Big, Strong with Wheels'

During the team's first-ever public practice, senior stars shine, giving fans a glimpse of the season ahead.

It's the Lions' defense with the experience, but the offense isn't looking shabby either as the Lyons Township High varsity football team gears up for its 2010 season and run at the state championship.

Parents and fans got their first look at their team Thursday night at an open practice and scrimmage held at Bennett Field. The open-house style practice was a first for the Lions and second-year coach Kurt Weinberg.

Lyons Township is looking to rebound from a disappointing slide last year, which began with two promising blowout wins, followed by a third high-scoring nail-biting win over Downers Grove. But the offense faltered in the second half of the season, ending with a 17-10 playoff loss to Bolingbrook to leave the Lions at an even 5-5.

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But the new attackers looked strong. On the first play of the scrimmage, senior quarterback Brian Kelley faked a handoff, swept right, and broke free for a 40-yard gain. The less-experienced offense ran mostly sweeps and quick passes to the outside. Dangerously speedy senior wideout Chris Klotz turned one of those passes into six points with a daredevil weave across the field and through the defense, documented in the accompanying video. Off to one side, senior kicker Matt Cotiguala alternated between placekicks and booming punts.

The Lions also have a major threat in senior cornerback Mark Sewall, who is also a powerhouse wide reciever, and the only Lion expected to regularly play both sides of the ball. Sewall effectively ended the scrimmage with an interception of a weak pass on the goal line that he returned for an easy—if hypothetical—six points.

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"We've got a lot of guys coming back on defense, and we've got some big-sized guys," said Weinberg.

Over two dozen Lions are 6'2'' or taller, including 6'6'' senior lineman Tom Callahan, a national college prospect, and eight are 250-plus pounds.

"We're big, we're strong, and we've got some wheels, too," Weinberg said.

Weinberg also named senior center Mike Harper, quarterback Kelley and senior middle linebacker Frank DiGioia as lynchpins of the team.

Of the 80 players on the tentative varsity roster, 33 are seniors, 47 are juniors, and only one—talented cornerback and wideout Matthew Harris—is a sophomore.

The practice marked the end of the team's summer workouts, and its last practice before camp begins on Aug. 11.

The Lions kick off their season at home, on Bennett Field, Aug. 27 at 7:30pm, hosting the Plainfield Central Wildcats.

"The number one objective is to be a state champion—that's our overriding goal," said Weinberg. "We've had good two-a-days, and a good [summer] camp—that's the first step. Then, hopefully, we go out and beat Plainfield Central."

 


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