PAGE 17 • PLAINDEALER • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBERS, 1N0 Hans Rokus Athletic Director West Suburban Catholic Conference FOOTBALL M Strengths: Attitude, Conditioning Coach Lew Mlskowicz sat with his two assistants between double sessions of the varsity Hurricanes football practice and shook his head in wonderment. "In three short days, we've come a long way," he paused.' It sure has been a pleasurable surprise." Miskowicz can't figure out why, but his assistants agreed that in three short days, the 40 varsity players have progressed further than expected. "I guess that in my third year here, the boys are finally catching on to my style and are building con- Marian Football September S September 13 September 20 September 27 October 4 October 11 October 18 October 2S November 1 November 5 Harvard (away) 8 pm Marengo (home) noon Marmion (away) noon Montini (home) noon Be net (away) 4 pm I. C. (homecoming) noon Driscoll (parents day) noon St. Edward (away) noon St. Francis (away) noon IHSA quarterfinals Sportsketch' Lew Miskowicz, a 28- year-old Rock Island native, is starting his third year as head coach of the Hurricanes. Attending Notre Dame on a full-ride football scholarship, Lew majored in History. In Rock Island High School, he was selected as an all-state and all- american fullback. He later returned to Rock Island, where his coaching career started six years ago. He is optimistic that Marian will finish "near the top" of the West Suburban Cathol ic Conference, and predicted that Im maculate Conception, Benet, Montini and his Hurricanes will be the four best teams in the conference this season, not necessarily in that order, however. Lew enjoys swimming and fishing at the Gulf of Mexico with his father. fidence in what they are doing," Miskowicz said raising his brows. Since coming to Marian, the likable coach has stuck to his simple wing-T attack and he does't plan to change it this year. "We'll just have to execute it better," Miskowicz said. Sixteen of the 40 gridders from last year's squad are lettermen with the most notable returnees being quarterback Tim Sherwood and T.J. Bauman, a six- foot, 195 pound fullback. There is only one junior in cluded in last season's lettermen, 185-pound center, Don Fortin, while seniors Steve Wett, Mike Daily, Kevin Noonan, Bob Witt, Sean Borman, Brian Beringer, Tom Pierce, Tom Sharp, Chris Hesch, Steve Bussey, John Joswiak, Steve Wenkel and John Ferreri will all see action again this year. A pleasant surprise so far has been junior quarterback, Scott Spengel, who is expected to handle the kicking chores for the Hurricanes also. "Our depth at quarterback is as good as ever," Miskowicz said. However, replacements will have to be found for the defensive end spots vacated by Todd Huemann and Bart Potenzo due to graduation, according to Miskowicz. The whole defensive secondary has also graduated, so the shoes of Bob Slechonich, Bob Burg, Marty Kringer and Tom Ballekounis will have to be filled. Miskowicz also wants to find a better balance bet ween his offense and defense this year. "Our 4-5 team last year had four honorable men tion, all-state candidates on defense," the coach quipped. "We have to inject some of that talent into our offense to be successful." Coaching with a philosopy of playing the best he has, Miskowicz is not reluctant to play his best players on offense and keep the same players out there to play defense. "Out of 40 players, it is hard to find 22 players of equal caliber," he confessed. "I'm not afraid to play 15 players the whole game if they are the best I have." Lew noted that hard work can keep most players in shape enough to go both ways. He also believes in stressing a positive attitude and a striving to eliminate mental errors as being two more elements of his coaching philoshopy. "I expect my players to ask questions before the huddle breaks so that they are prepared to execute when the ball is snapped." There will be no sophomores moved up to varsity for the start of the year, and there won't be any brought up uless Miskowicz thinks it will help jdevolop^the^layer^^ "I won't move a player up to fill my holes if he is not physically and mentally ready to play varsity ball," he stressed. "We have an obligation to think of the player first, then the team." Other boys out for the Marian Central squad this year include juniors, Don Rickert, Dave Rickert, Tom Pappas, Rich Webb, Bob Webb, John Mass, Jim Huemann, Bill Blume, Steve Noonan, Jim Burroughs, Justin Trover, Matt Hayden, Chris Edelman, John Her- trich, Mike Fisher, Tom Pierce, Jim Thorson, Phil Brown, Tim Dwyer, Guy Chapman and Chris Potenzo. Other seniors on the team are BobTonyan.Tom Mc- Donough and Nick Gray. Helping Miskowicz as assitants will be Tom Mitchell and Bob Brasile. Mitchell will be starting his second year under Miskowicz and will be working with the Offensive and defensive backs. He is a graduate of Woodstock High School and played in the defensive secondary at Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin before coming to Marian- Brasile is also a Woodstock Hign School grad. He at tended Knox College and played cornerback. He ser ved as assistant coach at Iowa Lakes Community College in Esterville, Iowa, then stayed out of coaching for 10 years before coming to Marian this year. He will be coaching the interior defensive line as well as the receivers. i f i ii n n t • n r We Like Warriors •lllfilt'H Skyhawks - Hvricanes - All THE BEST FOR 1980! McHenry Savings •F AND LOAN ASSOCIATION^^ 4 t C4 4 € 1209 North Groon Stroot, McHonry 815/385-3000 10520 AAoin Stroot, Richmond 815-678-2061 10402 North Vino Stroot (Huntloy Contor on Rt. 47). Huntloy 312-669-3333 frikvutiofkMpifiq Wtkwitifik!. > • i T ocf sfsts^sa* td* Mi'* t # . * t» e • • FSLIC