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Schmitt, is We Like Warriors - Skyhawks • Hurricanes -- ALL THE BEST FOR 1980! McHenry Savings 1209 North Gr*on Stroot, McHw^ry 815/385-3000 10520 Main Stroot, Richmond 816-678-2061 10402 North Vino Stroot (Huntlojr Contor on it. 47). Huntloy 312-669-3333 , McHo^ry ( ftond 816-67 (Huntlo ̂Co Hcpief ' I ESLIL PAGE t • PLA1NPEALER - FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER^ Itt> R unning Attack Gone, Receivers Take Over Jimmy Mayers Shark Conference FOOTBALL Athletic Director The Johnsburg Skyhawk football squad has only 33 members, has only two players over 200 pounds and the average height of its players is only 5' 10" tall, yet coach Bob Schmitt is optimistic about the 1980 season. Gone are the starting backfield of Brian Roberts and Billy Hovseth. Receivers Chris Dixon and Rick Szumlas are also graduated. Schmitt, in his first year as the head football coach, however, has found replacemen­ ts. - "We have ten lettermen coming back, plus some the fine offensive line and defensive backfield from the sophomore team that I coached one year ago," Sch­ mitt said with confidence. As for philosophy, Schmitt is quite different from Miskowicz at Marian Central. "I'm a firm believer in platooning my players," Sch­ mitt noted.- "A player just won't give his all unless he has a chance to play." Schmitt is also a disbeliever in heavy contact during practice. "We only have live scrimmage twice a week because we can't afford to have anyone hurt," Schmitt said. "Besides, the players get hungrier during game days when they haven't hit as much." The Skyhawks have two strengths this year, ac­ cording to Schmitt. One strength is the wide receivers. "With seniors Ricky Niess, Randy Wakitsch and Steye Sisk, we should be one of the best receiving teams ip the conference," Schmitt boasted. "Our senior quarterback, Scott Valentin is our second strong point." Also unlike Miskowicz at Marian, Schmitt is not an advocate of sticking to the same offense from year to year or squad to squad. "This year we'll run a wide-open offense, using a pro set and shotgun offense quite a bit." He said that Valentin will make the difference bet­ ween a winning and losing season because he reads defenses accurately and throws well. "He won't call his own plays, but he can call audibles at the line," Schmitt admitted. The weakness of Johnsburg, according to size. He noted that if they can out-quick the opponen­ ts, they will be fine. His team, he commented, will have trouble if they have to out-muscle the op­ position. Doug Wickman and Phil Kalsch will be filling in the backfield holes vacated by the graduates, but Schmitt said they are hard-nosed and straight forward and will do an adequate job. Other juniors on the 1980 Skyhawk gridders are Dan Williams, quarterback, Pete Barroso, fullback, Pat Rorig, halfback,Rob Schmidt, split end, Dave Murgatroyd, Tom Kost, Ken Allen, Wayene Brennen, Jeff Clary, Mike Delahn, Larry Dix, Paul Smith, Gary Wegner, Rob Wormley, Paul Klein, .Jim Wags, and Scott Zacke. Other seniors are Alex Bingman, fullback, Joe Decaro, fullback, Lenny Ippolito, 'tight end, Dave Brenner, tight end, Mark Fluger,-tackle, David Kuc- zwara, tackle, Rey Gomoll, guard, Pat Schifferdecker, guard, Steve Sisk, tight end, Dan Zaremba, center and Brian Madsen, flanker. The Johnsburg sophomores will play a running type offense under the direction of Mike Roberts and Bob Kies. "The sophs have a halfback named Mike Rowden who needs to carry the ball 25 to 30 times a game," Schmitt said. "He's the quickest back in the area." GOOD HANDS-*nd quick speed have made Ricky Netos the long-ball threat that may help take the place of last year's superb running attack. The Skyhawks will mix up the offense by instituting a "shotgun" attack to get good use out of Nelss's •peed and quarterback Scott Valentin's arm. STAFF PHOTO-JOEL WAKITSCH S C R A M B L I N G T O SAFETY-Is Scott Valentin. Skyhawk quarterback who possesses quick legs and a strong throwing arm that could add up to trouble for the opposition. In his second year at the helm of Johnsburg, Valentin will be passing more this year because of the fine receivers on this year's squad. STAFF PHOTO- JOEL WAKITSCH