Lucas Setting the Bar High for Oak Lawn Football

Oak Lawn Spartans

Coach: Sean Lucas, first season.

Last Year: 2-7 overall, 1-5 in the South Suburban Red.

Opener: Aug. 26 vs. Niles North.

Outlook: “We have season goals: win conference, make the playoffs, go undefeated at home and win two playoff games,” Lucas said. “We expect our kids to come out and play as a family, play hard, execute every play 100 percent. The guys who do that, who go where they’re supposed to go, those are the guys we’re going to rely on.”

Offense

Backs: Junior Bobby Olsen and senior Alec Barnhart went into training camp as the two candidates to lead Oak Lawn in Sean Lucas’ first year as head coach. “Both are doing a good job, pushing each other,” Lucas said.

Joining them in the backfield will be running backs Ahmad Shatat and Sean Hayden, who will split carries. Oak Lawn is still sorting out the the fullback situation. Ali Sheikh is returning, but Jon Leigh and Jimmy Lenihan are also competing for time.

Line: Lucas seems to have his offensive line set going into the season opener. Fabian Martinez will play tackle, along with a bit of defensive end, while the right guard will be junior John Glover. “He’s done a great job,” Lucas said. “His first year on varsity, but he enjoys the contact.”

At the other tackle spot is Kevin Lonergan, who also will play on the defensive line. Jim Zubrzycki and Mike Callendriello will both spend time at left guard, while Ron Luce and Bob Thorell are competing for the center spot.

Tight Ends/receivers: Through training camp, Lucas said his wide receiver spots were wide open. Nick Anderson, Drew Everett, Jeff Emanuelson and Dan Townsend are all splitting time for now. Pat Nudo, who played receiver last year for Oak Lawn, is moving to tight end.

“They are all competing, they are all playing hard,” Lucas said. “We are very confident with the 11 that we put out there.”

Defense

Linebackers: The linebackers will feature a couple guys playing on both sides of the ball in Jon Leigh and Pat Nudo. Leigh started at corner last year, but Lucas likes his physicality and is moving him inside to linebacker. Joe Madden and Connor Niemic also will be in the mix to get playing time.

“The linebackers have been exciting to watch because we have three really good athletes at those spots, three kids who like to hit,” Lucas said. “We’re hoping they play downhill quick and start tackling guys for losses.”

Defensive Line: Fabian Martinez and Mike Callendriello are looking like Oak Lawn’s starting defensive ends with John Glover and Rory Rowe subbing in for them. Jake Robinson, Kevin Lonergan and Sean Sweiss all will be in the mix to get time at tackle and nose guard.

Secondary: Things are still shaking out for Oak Lawn’s secondary. Alec Barnhart has been getting a lot of time at corner as well as Cody Quillin. Quillin also has practiced at strong safety with Sean Hayden. Nick Anderson, Sean Altenburg and Dan Townsend are in the running at free safety.

Coach Sean Lucas said: “We have a tough schedule, we are fortunate we play our first four games at home, and I think we’re up for the challenge, though. If we get into personal battles out on the field, we’re not going to be successful. But if we play as 11 people on the field and 44 people as a whole, we’re going to be fine this year.”