Preview capsule: Lincoln-Way Central football

Lincoln-Way Central enjoyed a successful beginning to the Tim Dougherty regime last season when the Knights qualified for the Class 8A playoffs and finished 6-4.

But Dougherty, a highly successful coach during his 16-year tenure at Edwardsville, also knows his first team at Lincoln-Way Central was within a few plays of having a significantly better record. So the emphasis this season is on taking that next step.

Not that it will be easy. The Knights are not blessed with an abundance of returning starters, and the Southwest Suburban Blue schedule is a bear. Still, Dougherty and the Knights have reason for optimism.

"I think we have an outstanding group of seniors who are hungry to build on what we started last season," Dougherty said. "They have their goals. They want to continue their school's tradition of getting to the playoffs, and they want to improve on last year.

"I think we will be pretty balanced team offensively and defensively, although I see the defense maybe carrying us early on until our offense gets in sync."

Backfield : Senior Bryan Hennessy will call the signals at quarterback in Central's I-formation attack, and he potentially is a good one. "Bryan could have been starting as a junior, but Kyle Plarski did start last year due to his leadership qualities," Dougherty said. "On most teams, Bryan (Hennessy) would have started. All he is lacking now is experience under center, but he had a good summer."

Senior Brandon Kaplan will start at fullback after spending last season behind Pete Damiani. As with Hennessy, Dougherty said Kaplan would have started on many of the good teams he has coached. Kaplan will be blocking for a three-headed tailback -- seniors Willie Mendez and Alex Russo and junior Justin Baumhardt, all of whom have earned their coach's confidence. "We will try to get them on the field for what each of them does best, but I have no problem with any of the three being in the game," Dougherty said.

Linemen : Senior Jason Carlton is a returning starter at tackle, with senior Phil Fabian and junior Pete Jackovich battling for the other tackle slot. Seniors Corey Mahoney and Tim Sayre and junior Jordan Tate all have had good summers and will see time at guard. Senior Zach Davis is the center, with senior Ryan Penders his backup.

Receivers : Sean Truesdale, Justin Kojder, Warren Keuch and Chad Podkulski provide four senior options at wide receiver. "A couple of them will play in different personnel groupings," Dougherty said. "I like them because they catch the ball well, but first and foremost, they are all good blockers." Dougherty added that senior Jeremy Wallace and junior Evan Branyik are "two very good tight ends."

Linemen : The parts are interchangeable on the defensive line in Central's 4-2-5 alignment, led by returning starters Dan Bolbat and Eric Simmons. Mahoney, Jackovich, Branyek and senior Paul Burnson also will see plenty of time.

Linebackers : Senior Ryan Penders is a returning starter and is joined in the linebacking corps by Justin Shelton, Jeff Hipp and junior Tyler Young, Jeremy Wallace, Keuch and Baumhardt "are our strong safety/outside linebacker type guys," Dougherty said.

Secondary : Kojder and returning starter Mark Krull are penciled in at cornerback, with senior John Slager providing backup support. Podkulski is a returning starter at safety.

Senior Scott Secor returns to handle the punting and placekicking chores. Truesdale, Podkulski and Mendez are getting a look returning kicks. "We have a strong kicking game with Scott (Secor) returning," Dougherty said. "It's nice to have a good field goal kicker."

There is no denying the strength of the Southwest Suburban Blue, but that's the challenge the Knights intend to tackle.

"We will be facing lots of outstanding programs in our conference," Dougherty said. "But we're in Year 2 now. The guys should be a little more familiar with what it is we are doing, and hopefully that will translate into success on the field."