McHenry Times

JOHNSBURG

This season already looks a lot like last season for Johnsburg.

The Skyhawks have 15 starters back from the team that went 8-3 and had the smallest deficit of any playoff team that lost to Phillips during its run to the Class 4A state championship.

The list of returning starters includes linemen Joe Moore, Brandon Ackman and Jarrid Wagner; wide receivers Chucky Curry, Conner Bell and Nico LoDolce; linebackers Austin Butler, Jack Kegel and Bryce Smith; quarterback/linebacker Riley Buchanan; running back/defensive back Alex Peete; tight end/defensive end Bryce Jordan; free safety Blake Lemcke; defensive back Brody Frazier; and defensive back/kicker/punter Adam Jayko.

“We have had a great offseason and summer,” head coach Daniel Deboeuf told the McHenry Times. “We have incredible leadership within this group, and we have very high expectations.”

 

MCHENRY

The Warriors have four returning starters on each side of the ball, but 20 lettermen back overall from last year's 1-8 team.

Head coach Nat Zunkel told the Times that the team's strength is renewed energy.

“This is a good group of young men who are working incredibly hard for the Warrior program,” Zunkel said.

 

WOODSTOCK NORTH

It's not just a new season for the Thunder, but it's also a whole new conference.

Woodstock North has joined the new Kishwaukee River Conference, according to the Chicago Daily Herald. Jeff Schroeder, Woodstock North’s head coach, told the Times that the move is a comfort and a challenge. The Thunder will be playing against programs of similar roster sizes and fewer one-way players.

“The challenge will be that it's probably one of the best mid-size high-school conferences in the state, and the talent level is very high – as is the coaching acumen of the schools we will be facing,” Schroeder said.

Fortunately for the Thunder, 11 players with starting experience are back from last season's 4-5 team, and that experience will be a team strength, Schroeder said.

WOODSTOCK

Nine starters are back for the Blue Streaks to improve on their 2-7 record last season. Versatility on both sides of the ball also figures to be an advantage, head coach Thomas Thompson told the Times.

“We have more overall team speed than last year,” Thompson said.

 

ALDEN-HEBRON

Taylor Glenn heads up the returning starters for the Green Giants. Glenn, an offensive tackle and linebacker, is receiving attention from Division II and III colleges, head coach John Lalor said, and merits all-state consideration.

“I feel like we should be right in the mix for third place (in the Northeastern Conference) if we can stay healthy and the young players keep making progress,” Lalor said. “We only have 19 kids, but we do have some talent – just lack experience.”

 

RICHMOND-BURTON

The Rockets are coming off of an 8-2 season in 2015, but have to replace some key performers up front, head coach Patrick Elder told the Times. The team will rebuild its offensive and defensive lines around Dalton Wagner, Elder said.

“Our progress upfront will be the key to our season,” Elder said.

Other key returnees include quarterback/defensive back Brady Gibson, tight end/defensive tackle Ryan Harr, kicker Ryan Kilcoyne, quarterback/defensive back Ben Wasilewski, running back/defensive back Jesse Hill-Male, running back/defensive back Blaine Bayer, running back/defensive back Miles Nelson, fullback/linebacker Ryan Zimmer, fullback/linebacker Dakota Hall, linebacker Justin Braden, tight end/defensive back Sam Battalini, guard/linebacker Chris Dodaro, guard/tackle Graham Bowerman, tackle Mike Krumenacher, guard Henry Kranz, tackle Nate Cox, tackle Bobby Berwick, center Zach Suhr, tackle Andrew Meier, tight end/tackle Ryan Harr, tight end/defensive tackle Herve Schwab, and running back/linebacker Mark Marzahl.

 

NOTE: Not all area coaches returned information before this story went to press.