Disappointed Bartlett begins building for future

With a 10th straight trip to the playoffs out of the picture, Bartlett started working toward 2010 last week.

The Hawks went on the road and dominated Thornwood 27-0 on Saturday in non-conference action, taking out some pent up frustration in the process.

At 3-5 overall, Bartlett is assured of its first losing season since 1999. That marks quite a drop off from last year's 12-1 finish and trip to the Class 8A state semifinals.

"It's disappointing and the kids are certainly disappointed," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. "But they did the best they could."

A series of tough breaks proved too much for the Hawks to overcome, and perhaps none was more significant than senior receiver Zach Konstanzer's broken collarbone injury in Week 2.

Konstanzer is Bartlett's biggest playmaker, as he showed by catching a game-high eight passes for 81 yards in his return to action last weekend. His absence took a major toll on an offense led by sophomore quarterback A.J. Bilyeu.

Although Konstanzer's high school playing days are numbered, the Hawks do have several key players returning next year.

In addition to Bilyeu, the offense will welcome back juniors Aaron Thabuteau and Andy Puccini -- the team's top two rushers -- and sophomore receiver Zach Karys. Several members of a defense that is allowing only 14.4 points per game will also be back.

Smith gives Royals another option -- Larkin senior Jalen Williams has stolen most of the headlines with his sensational rushing numbers this year, but sophomore Sylvester Smith is quietly becoming a solid No. 2 option out of the backfield.

Smith has run for 365 yards and three touchdowns on 50 carries since taking on a larger role in Week 3. He's topped the 70-yard mark each of the past three games.

While those statistics pale in comparison to those compiled by Williams, who by far leads the area with 1,524 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, Smith's contributions can't be overlooked.

"Sylvester broke out a little bit against Lake Forest Academy and asserted himself as a starter in the backfield," Larkin coach Matt Gehrig said. "So we've incorporated more fullback runs into the offense and he's gotten better each week. He's also come on and developed as a defensive player as well."