Saints prepared to tackle challenges

Tough schedule awaits Fields, St. Charles East

Mike Fields knows a tough task awaits in his first season as St. Charles East's head coach.

Expectations are high that the Saints will continue their winning ways after making four straight playoff appearances under former coach Ted Monken, who left earlier this year to take over the coaching duties at Metea Valley in Aurora.

Living up to those expectations won't be easy, though, given the grueling schedule that awaits East in 2009.

The Saints are slated to play five teams that reached the playoffs last year, three of which went undefeated during the regular season. The campaign starts with non-conference tests against Class 7A state runner-up Geneva and DuPage Valley Conference power Naperville North.

Fields, who spent the past 10 years on Geneva's coaching staff, knows what the Saints will be up against in their opener against the Vikings. He also knows that matching last year's 8-3 record and second-place finish in the Upstate Eight Conference will be difficult.

"We're realistic because we've got a heck of a schedule," Fields said. "Coach Monken didn't do me any favors in that regard, but you play the best in order to be the best. We want to peak at the end of the season, and whatever we get this year we're certainly going to earn."

Senior quarterback Nolan Possley (6-foot, 195 pounds) returns to the position he played as a sophomore following a stint at receiver last year. He can likely count on good protection from an experienced offensive line.

Senior left guard Andrew Bradburn (6-2, 300), senior right guard Rafael Flores (6-1, 300), senior right tackle Eric Olstad (6-4, 300) and senior tight end Jess Stiedl (6-3, 230) all return to a line that helped the Saints post close to 30 points per game last season. Senior Mark Lindholm (6-4, 320) represents yet another big body ready to step in at left tackle.

"We're probably going to be led by our offensive line," Fields said. "We've just got a really solid group up front."

Senior tailbacks Cory Campbell (5-10, 150) and Matt Payne (6-0, 195) and junior Zach Zajicek (5-9, 170) will try to fill the shoes of Wes Allen, who ran for over 4,000 yards the past three years before graduating. Seniors Andrew Gomez (5-10, 240) and Jon Voytilla (6-3, 260) and junior Cooper Jones (6-1, 205) are in the mix at fullback.

Senior Tyler Nutting (5-10, 170) returns at receiver and will be joined by senior Drayton Heather (5-10, 180), who missed last season with a broken wrist. Senior Bryce Barry (6-2, 185), junior Kevin Russell (5-11, 180) and sophomore Charlie Fisher (5-10, 150) are also expected to contribute as wideouts.

On defense, senior Phil Bucaro (5-11, 185) will be called upon to lead East's group of linebackers. Juniors David Lyon (5-11, 210) and Michael Caddy (5-11, 185) join seniors Anders Johnson (6-5, 200) and Mike Lang (6-1, 200) in the mix at linebacker.

Stiedl, Voytilla and Austin Barry (6-0, 215) will handle defensive end duties. Lindholm will play defensive tackle along with senior Josh Spudich (6-0, 220) and junior Andrew Carrano (6-2, 210).

Senior Patrick Hogan (6-0, 185) could see time at defensive back along with Nutting, Payne and Bryce Barry.