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• \ I'.UJK 24 • I'LAIINI DEALER - FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 4, 1MB let's' talk Blessed Winning Randy Oberembt leads Johnsburg to first winning season By Mike Lamb • JOHNSBURG - When you talk to Randy Oberembt about his success with the Johnsburg football team, he talks about being blessed. Blessed with talented players. Blessed with great coaches. Blessed with a supportive school ad­ ministration. But by the same token, Johnsburg has.been blessed with Randy Oberembt. Two years ago, the Johnsburg football program was heading nowhere. In the school's first four years of existence, only eight wins could be recorded by two differentcoaches. In 198 l*r Oberembt was hired by the Johnsburg school board and instilled as the head coach of the football team' He was a coach with a good track record. He previously coached at Tiskilwa, a school of less than 200 students. He built up a 40-18 winning record with the lndians. - It was hoped the 27-year-old Oberembt could turn a sagging :Johnsburg program into a ^productive one. His first season in 1982, wasn't !any different than in the past. -Oberemt's team could only win starters from the previous season were returning. But still, because of Jphnsburg's past, there were skeptics. Oberembt and his squad started to prove themselves to the area early. The Skyhawks up with a 7-6 win over chmorid, a playoff team of a year ago. A 24-0 shutout over Nazerath Academy followed. Johhsburg • opened up Nor­ thwest Suburoan play witn a 21-6 win over Lake Zurich. In the six remaining games, only a 42-6 loss to Marian blemished the Johnsburg record. Not only was Johnsburg winning, the Skyhawks were dominating. Only last week's 21-20 win over Round Lake has thrown any kind of a losing scare to Skyhawk fans since the Marian contest. Oberembt's squad now owns a 7-1 overall record. A win over Grant Saturday will prat^cally ensure a playoff spot. According to Johnsburg athletic director, Jim the Skyhawks success thus no fluke. Fans who have witnessed Johnsburg football games in the season, have watched a full of emotion. That is a irect result of Oberembt's influence. Observers watched The in1 about is the Qberemt talks to Johnsburg's and coaches. according to players ihes. Basketball ;and track coach Ben Beck, along a Oberembt have developed off-season weight program with an "Our strength program has made an * incredible difference. We feel like every game we have the opportunity to win, because these athletes paid the price long before the season began." ), one game the entire season. But after each loss, he would always say the team is headed in the right direction. When the 1983 prep football season opened up, Johnsburg was considered by many to have a good season. Many of its "I just can's say enough a! Randy," said Meyers. 'The ] have a lotto do with it (sued but it does take some, "He has endless ability to communis )layers and coaches to set goals lis enthusiasm carried over onto the entire athletic staff. His dedication has inspired everybody. He's just a great Oberembt cry after a tough loss and cry after winning. Those same observes also watched Oberembt and his squad yell with joy and hug each , other after a big win. During pracitices, Oberembt can be seen wearing a ragged old shirt and sweats wnOe directing his players. Mud on the side of his face reveals he's not afraid to get down with his players in the mud. He pats than on the side when a player does well, but rarely yells at a player for making a mistake. "We feel you have to be emotional to play the game of football," explained Oberembt. "When you put in as much work as these athletes have, it's a great investment on their part. The emotion is really displaying the investment put into the program." ... for Johnsburg athletes. Those players that have played a key part in the Johnsburg season were involved in the weight program. "The team really began preparation last October/' Oberembt said. "Our i has made an We feel like every game we have the opportunity to win, because these athletes paid the price long before the season tm gggjjgggra I J*.-' * TM RSfcira S^f|t SPWai imk- ilkSli STAFF PHOTO-MHO LAMS Randy Oberembt (right) and assistant coach Mike Roberts huddle around with the team. Roberts, along with Todd Lewison, Bilf Hurckes, Jim Meyers, Bob Schmitt and Jeff Jerdee have helped coach the varsity into a winning season. Jim Bentz, who has already racked up 908 yards thus far, has seen the fruits of their labor in the weight room. He said the offensive line has increased in size and because of it Bentz his success to the offensive line. Tbe offensive line has played a bin part in Johnsburg's success this season. The amazing part of the line is its experience. Only two of the seven players who play on the line are seniors. Yet. • flat Una haw literally dominated every game, except for the Martian game. Oberembt also gives credit for tbe line success to coach Mike Roberts. The head wrestling coach during the winter, Roberts has molded tbe line into a tough blocking machine. "I've been fortunate to be surrounded by coaches on our staff that are willing to spend countless hours doing the extra things that have made us suc­ cessful at point," said Oberembt. e?*51 Brim «tod|| and Phil Thennes anchor the line. Junior Mo Dryer and sophomore Bob Bentz ml out the tackle positions. Tom Kinney, a junior, plays center. Juniors Tom Meehan and Mark Dumelle play tide ends. Tiie line has relieved some of the pressure off the shoulders of senior quarterback Jeff Jayko. Last year, a weaker linemeant more ' pnaflAg tempts for 1178 yards and was sacked many times. This time around, Jayko can handoff to tailback Jim Hopp or Bentz with confidence. He also has sll the time he needs to pass when he needs to. Hopp has rushed for over 700 yards this season. Oberemebt mentioned that his line, along with the others on the team ana the coaches are like a family. "We're a close knit group and many of these young men spent 12 years in the same classes since junior high school and elementary. It's a good blend of juniors and seniors. We have excellent junior leadership." A lot has been said about the great brother combination at Marian Central in the Har- tlieb's. But Johnsburg has its brother combination as well. The Bentz's, Jim and Bob, have played a big part. Trie team also has three Majerdk brothers. Joe is out with a broken arm, but at one time all three played major rotes in the kicking game. Mike is the kicker, Mark was the holder and Joe was the On defense, Bob anchored the line, with Mark Dumelle and Harry Walk playing linebackers. John Gallagher, Mike DuRei, Mike Dominquez and Joe Majerdk play in the defensive backfleld. At present Johnsburg's success in the NWSC has somewhat been overshadowed by Marian. But both Oberembt and Meyer are not bothered by Marian's success. Like everybody else, both are in awe of the Hurricanes. "They are an outstanding team and have the potential to go all the way. We don't mind being overshadowed by them. We were soundly beaten," said Meyers. Right now, according to Meyers, everybody in John­ sburg is lust elated over how far the football squad has gone. "This has helped the athletic program tremendously. In 1978, when we played in the basket­ ball final, it united the school. People climbed into the baBdwagon- "The' people in the commi ha ve reacted to Randy real \ Theyareverypleased with what is going on. IT AW PHOTO MM UXM Coach Randy Oberembt watches his team scrimmage during last Tuesday's practice. ' :-V : : • - wm I Jilfffit "4 Johnsburg confident «fs5»w with playoff chances Johnsburg High Athletic officials 1: Big weekend for six McHenry county teams By Sam Natrop B Shaw Free Press Service WOODSTOCK - This weekend is a schedule- maker's dreamjn McHenry County. -- As many as six county teams have a chance to either win outright con­ ference titles or at the least share in one and five have legitimate shots at making the playoffs on this, the final week of the regular season. Two of those teams come from Woodstock while two come from Crystal Lake, one familiar face from Richmond and the other from Johnsburg. Woodstock High School and Crystal Lake Central have the inside track in the Fox Valley Conference as both sport 4-1 records and should be favored to win their repsective games. If, however, the Blue Streaks lose to upset-minded McHenry, ana if Central falters against cross-town nemesis South, a three-way tie would exist among those teams. Marian Central locked up at least a tie of its first Northwest Suburban Conference title with a 32-8 win over Grayslake last week and can take the un­ disputed crown with a victory over Lake Zurich (3- 3). The 'Canes, 6-0 in the NWSC and 8-0 overall, hold a one-game lead over John­ sburg, which at 5-1 in con­ ference play, still has a mathematical shot at the title and may be in con­ tention for a playoff spot. Richmond-Burton faces its toughest task of the season as it meets Hamj shire at the Whip-Purs Saturday. The game not lly could Eight Coni for the Rockets, but it also only could mean an outright Big Eight Conference title will determine whether or not they will make the playoffs. "I feel we can beat them. They have a real good of­ fensive backfield and that's where their strength lies," Rocket Coach J. Randy Hofman said. "I expect anything from them. He (Hampshire coach Ron Ellet) does all kinds of things." The Rockets, who have been the victims of several key injuries, received more baa news when one of their starting defensive tackles- offensive guards went down with a knee injury in practice Wednesday. But playing against the odds has been the story of the Rockets' season in 1983. . The team that was cast off as an also-ran at the beginningl>f the season has rallied for five consecutive (Continued on pog* 22) School like their chances of gaining a berth in the 1HSA football playoffs, provided the Skyhawks finish with an 8-1 teams will participate in the r̂ea playoffs which start next the play Wednesday. All conference contemn According to the IHSA, 96 the next lesday. All conference winners automatically earn a playoff berth, which will use up 71 of the possible berths. NextTtne IHSA will pick all the independents of winning percentages of .800 or better ana then conference co-champions and runners-up at .800. The JHSA has reported there are 18 schools with 7-1 records and need victories to qualify at 8-1. Johnsburg falls in this category. The Skyhawks need a victory over Grant Saturday. Game time is 2 p.m. at John­ sburg. IHSA officials will contact Johnsburg officials sometime Saturday evening if the Skyhawks gained a playoff berth. IHSA officials will again contact Johnsburg officials Sunday morning sometime to report the Skyhawks opponent ami location of the game. Several other teams in the area have already qualified for the playoffs, or are still in contention- with Johnsburg. Marian Central, by clinching the Northwest Suburban Conference title last week, has automatically gained a berth. The Richmond Rockets, by clinching the Big Eight Con­ ference title, can also gain a berth In the Fox Valley Conference. Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake South and Woodstock are in contention for a playoff berth. All three have to win this weekend. 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