Expectations continue to rise for Green Wave
Bigger, stronger and more versatile.
That describes a St. Edward football team hoping to take yet another step ahead as Mike Rolando begins his fifth season as the Green Wave coach.
Coach: Mike Rolando (5-31 in 5th season)
"We keep getting better each year and that's the plan again," said Rolando, whose team went 4-5 last season. "I think we'll be able to run the ball well again and now we're able to throw it, too. There's a lot of very cautious optimism around here."
Perhaps the main reason for that is the majority of starters are returning on both sides of the ball and they are upperclassmen who have come a long way from enduring lopsided losses as youngsters.
Leading the way is 6-foot, 235-pound senior Shane Finnane, who will play left offensive tackle and middle linebacker after moving from defensive tackle.
He is part of an offensive line that averages about 230 pounds per player. Joining fourth-year starter Finnane up front as returnees are senior tight end Zack Von Ahnen (6-7, 230) and senior right tackle Kevin Lawson (6-0, 240).
Bruising runner Jordan Torres (6-2, 220), a three-year starter, will play fullback and seniors David Hoebbel (5-8, 175) and Jon Godfrey (5-5, 175) will play running back. Junior quarterback Ben Lehman (6-2, 185) will run an offense that averaged 255 rushing yards per game last season.
"(Lehman) has become a leader for us and has the respect of the upperclassmen," said Rolando. "And he can throw it."
Junior receiver Sam Pozezinski (6-3, 180) and Von Ahnen figure to be the main targets for Lehman, who tossed 20 touchdowns for the sophomore team in 2008.
The Wave's defense, susceptible to big pass plays last season, will be spearheaded by four-year starter Nathan Gaige (5-11, 205) at linebacker. Pozezinski, Godfrey, junior Nick Scholly (6-1, 170) and senior Alex Arciuch (5-7, 165) will bolster the secondary.
The defensive line looks to three-year starter Dan Duffy (6-0, 185), a senior end, and former linebacker Price Davis (6-1, 180), a senior who has moved to tackle.
"I really think defense could be our strong point," said Rolando, who isn't too concerned about his offense either.
The Wave will compete in the Suburban Christian Conference Gold Division along with Aurora Christian, Chicago Christian, Guerin, Immaculate Conception and Wheaton Academy.
