Ippolito's a missing link now
Senior quarterback anchors team with few weaknesses
Within its offensive playbook, Neuqua Valley designed specific packages around Joe Ippolito. The change-of-pace quarterback would also line up at running back, wideout and inside receiver. It didn't matter where, so long as Neuqua could get him on the field and the ball in his hands.
Preseason expectations never materialized in 2008. Hip and back issues sidelined Ippolito, and he was limited to no more than a handful of touches. "Can't dwell on the past right now," the senior quarterback said, "just got to look forward to (this) season."
(Corey R. Minkanic/For The Sun)
2008 record: 4-5 Coach: Bryan Wells
SCHEDULE
Friday vs. Naperville North 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 4 vs. Naperville Central (North Central College) 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 vs. South Elgin 7:30 p.m.*
Sept. 18 vs. Bartlett 7:30 p.m.*
Sept. 25 vs. Waubonsie Valley (North Central College) 7:30 p.m.*
Oct. 2 at Cathedral High School (Indianapolis University) 7 p.m.
Oct. 9 vs. St. Charles North 7:30 p.m.*
Oct. 16 at St. Charles East 7:30 p.m.*
Oct. 23 vs. Elgin 7:30 p.m.*
*Upstate Eight Conference game
If this buildup seems like a bit much, consider that the 6-foot-3-inch, 200-pound Ippolito is also a Division I baseball prospect. The all-Upstate Eight Conference outfielder with a smooth power swing will need to make plays for a young, inexperienced team.
As Neuqua football coach Bryan Wells said: "If you saw him play baseball and saw him run first to third -- the guy can move."
Ippolito understands how much the recruiting calendar has shrunk, and how hard it is for a senior quarterback to make an impression. But he's still delaying a decision.
"It is difficult missing last year with football (and) all the college stuff," Ippolito said. "I have been getting calls from a lot of college baseball coaches (and) I have to tell them the truth.
"Football is my sport. It's the love of my life, it's my passion. And I am looking for a football scholarship. But right now, especially missing last year, (my) eyes are wide open to anything."
Coming off a 4-5 season that snapped a streak of six consecutive playoff appearances, Wells appreciates an athlete who doesn't want to specialize in one sport.
"If he's not dinged up at all and has got all his tools available to him, he'll be pretty dynamic," Wells said. "I think there's gonna be a lot of people surprised by his performance if he does what I think he can."
In Neuqua's spread offense, the quarterback will be protected by three returning linemen: Richard Allen, Kyle Covington and Devashish Potdar. Ippolito will work with almost an entirely new set of skill-position players, outside of wide receiver Bob Herzberger.
"I know nobody gives us a shot but I think we're one horse I wouldn't bet against," Wells said. "We don't seem to have a glaring weakness. I don't think I'm fooling myself. I've searched for it. (We've) tried to shore up everything we can, just like every other staff is doing right now. But I think we're pretty solid."
The Wildcats open with Naperville North and Naperville Central, two teams that will test a defense that returns only three regulars: Herzberger, lineman Christian Eble and linebacker Mike Guido. Ippolito sounds like he wants to play safety as well, but Neuqua probably can't afford that risk.
"It's just something about football," Ippolito said. "My coaches are telling me: 'You can't run people over. We got to use you.' I love hitting kids."
Now he finally gets his chance.
"Honestly, the second we lost in sectionals and (the baseball) season was over, my mind (was) focused on football," Ippolito said.
