Preview capsule: Lincoln-Way East football

Senior Ryne Van Gennep has not yet had the opportunity to prove himself on the varsity level, but he also is an outstanding quarterback. When you consider all the talent around him in the skill positions, you get the idea this may be even a more potent offense than the unit that averaged 36.8 points and 376.4 yards in helping East to a 9-2 season a year ago.

Rob Zvonar is the only head coach in Griffins' history, and all he has done from the outset is win -- a state championship included.

"These kids have worked tremendously hard, and I'm proud of them for that," Zvonar said. "When you split schools, and now it's happening again (Lincoln-Way West has a varsity for the first time), it affects you to some degree.

"But a long time ago the decision was made here not to have any excuses. This group has the opportunity to be as good as any we have had. They just have to keep working and improve each week. We're excited and looking forward to the season."

Backfield: The strong-armed Van Gennep completed 6-of-8 passes for 92 yards last year as a junior.

"A lot of years he would have been capable of starting as a junior, he just happened to have an all-stater in front of him," Zvonar said. "He is more of a passer than runner where Spencer was equal run and pass."

Wingback Kevin Starke is multi-talented. He led the Griffins with 604 rushing yards in 100 carries and caught 24 passes for 304 yards.

"It's nice to have your leading rusher back, especially a good-size kid with good hands," Zvonar said. Collin Sabal returns at fullback and Division I baseball standout Matt Hartmann is the other wing.

Linemen: Junior Joe Mizera is a returning starter at tackle and could become a Division I recruit down the road. Raphael Gutierrez returns at guard. Others in the mix are centers John Jobbe and Nick Raczek, guards Mike Pokorney and Ross Nolan and tackle Mike Pomorski.

"The offensive line may not be a team strength going into the season, but I do feel good about that group," Zvonar said.

Receivers: Van Gennep has excellent targets in Alex Evans, Brandyn Jackson and Jake Dobson. Evans, also a baseball standout, caught 25 passes for 374 yards a year ago. Jackson is 6-5, 220, has speed and is described by Zvonar as a "D-I type player. And Evans is getting more football looks now and may be a D-I guy later."

Linemen: As high as Zvonar is on the offensive skills, he also holds the defensive line in high regard. Ryne Diehl is back at end, and Chris Wise and Ian Luscombe are battling for time at the other end. The tackles are returning starter Austin Copley and talented junior DeAndre Slate, with Dimitri Simmons and Jon Siebert also ready to contribute.

"The offensive skills and defensive line look to be early strengths," Zvonar said. "I hope these defensive linemen can live up to the standard that has been set there."

Linebackers: The unit is led by Ryan Hickey, a three-year starter at outside linebacker and another potential D-I recruit. Ryan Bottoms was a part-time starter last season at the other outside linebacker. The inside linebackers likely will be senior Jim Lungaro and junior Pat Meehan.

Secondary: Bodies are available. Nick Spiekhout, Evans and Collin Hickey primarily are cornerbacks, although Spiekhout could slide into a safety slot, where Bryan Brown and Jimmy Wilson also are contending for playing time.

Kyle Moore and Brendan Goler are members of the soccer team and are vying for the kicking and punting duties, with Moore perhaps having a slight edge. Sabal and Hartmann also can kick and punt.

Negotiating a schedule that begins with Providence Catholic and features the Southwest Suburban Blue will be a chore. But East is accustomed to that sort of meat-grinder, and as Zvonar said, "We feel this group has an opportunity to be as good as any."

Besides, Joel Pallissard, who coached in the program through 2006, is back. "We welcome him," Zvonar said. "He's kind of the head coach of our offense, the associate head coach of our entire program."