With Explosive Potential, Tinley Park Football Opens Fall Training Camp

Tinley Park football players and coaches, returning to practice Wednesday after finishing third in the South Suburban Blue Conference and advancing to the second round of the IHSA playoffs a year ago, are brimming with confidence.

With eight returning starters on offense, including all-conference quarterback Kyle Sheridan and wideout Eldridge Anderson, coach Nick Johnston is optimistic the Titans will put points on the board and make another run to the postseason.

“It’s a great feeling to have when the season starts getting under way," Johnston said. "We’ve had a good off-season in terms of weight lifting and conditioning, and our summer camp attendance has been excellent. The anticipation for the season is just awesome around here."

Johnston, a former wide receiver at Western Michigan University and Homewood-Flossmoor High School, believes that last year’s success has contributed to the positive attitudes seen and heard in the Titans' camp.

“We feel like we’re building off the overall success from last season," he said. "Last year showed the kids we can compete with anyone.  Instilling that in this group, the can-win attitude, has factored into everything we’ve done this off-season."

In his eighth year as the leader of the varsity program, Johnston still continues to grow as a coach. Win or lose, he feels like he has learned something about himself, and his players, in every year with the Titans.

Last year, Johnston and his staff trusted the Titans had enough depth to keep players on one side of the ball, which Johnston acknowledged helped them tremendously.  

“We didn’t always have the luxury of keeping guys fresh as one-way players, but last year, with our depth, we we’re able to do that,” he said. “It helped limit the injuries and kept players fresh throughout the game. We were able to jump on people early and keep the pressure on.”

This year, with an experienced offensive line, Johnston thinks the guys up front will be ready to plow the way for the Titans' surplus of skill position players.

“If we play sound, fundamental football, we have enough weapons where we can be explosive," he said. "The kids have a lot of confidence right now."

The Titans kick off the season with a home game against Bogan on Friday, Aug. 26.

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