DGN Football Preview: Getting Back on the Winning Track

The football team is coming off its worst two-year period in school history, so it’s fair to say the Trojans have more than a little hunger in them as they prepare for the 2011 season.

Downers North went 3-15 over the past two seasons, including a 2-7 mark last fall. The 2009 squad, which was 1-8, set a school record for losses, but last year’s squad had a lot of heartbreak, losing five games by a touchdown or less.

“We lost so many close games last year,” Downers North coach John Wander said. “We were up in eight of those nine games and we ended up 2-7.

“We scored enough points. We couldn’t stop Sister Teresa, so we’re really concentrating on defense and we’re saying we’ve got a little chip on our shoulders. We want to be back in the playoffs.”

Qualifying for the playoffs will be a tough task, considering the Trojans play in the always tough West Suburban Conference Silver Division and return only five starters. But there is reason for optimism because most of their experience is at the skill positions.

Two key returners are senior quarterback Riley McGinnis and 5-9, 213-pound senior Anthony Rada, a bruising fullback and linebacker.

“I feel like our skill positions are our strong suit and our defense is getting a lot stronger,” Rada said. “We still do have to work on our offense a little bit, just create more of a rhythm within it.”

McGinnis will play a big role in doing that. The 6-1, 180-pounder made some crucial mistakes during his first year as a varsity starter last season, but he’s more comfortable now despite playing behind what will be an entirely new offensive line.

“I was thinking a lot last year,” McGinnis said. “This year it’s more just seeing it and doing it.”

While North will stick with its traditional veer option offense, look for McGinnis to hand the ball off more often to Rada and senior tailback Rob Sheppard rather than keeping it himself. He also could throw a few more passes in the direction of senior wide receiver Ryan Henry, a returning starter, and junior Kevin Kanis.

“[McGinnis] is throwing the ball great,” Wander said. “That doesn’t sound great coming from me but Riley’s attribute…is to be able to throw so we have a couple guys in Anthony Rada and Robby Sheppard that will be in the backfield that will take the runs away from Riley.”

The defense, which was uncharacteristically leaky last fall, figures to be much improved, especially in the secondary where Sheppard is a three-year starting safety. Henry and senior Matt Underdown are returning starters and will be joined by Kanis.

“Sheppard is just there every day. That’s stability,” Wander said. “He can run that secondary, so I would say right now that could be one of our strengths. We’re smaller up front but we’re athletic.”

“We’ve just got to play with a little tenacity and a little chip on our shoulder. In crunch time, we’ve got to stop the big plays.”

That’s something the Trojans didn’t do last year, when they blew several second-half leads, including a two-touchdown advantage in the fourth quarter of a loss to eventual state quarterfinalist Lyons Township that triggered a five-game losing streak.

“We’ve just got to figure out whatever those intangibles were that were making us lose games, find that and fix it,” McGinnis said.

“I think we just have to come out and find a way to finish games and play a full 48 minutes of football,” Rada said. “I think 5-4 would be a good goal to aim for, just to get in the playoffs, and depending on how the season goes, maybe better, maybe worse, but hopefully better.”

Highly ranked Glenbard West is favored to win the Silver, while York will be tough. Wander thinks the Trojans can compete for third place with the other four teams in the league.

North opens the season with a tough road game Aug. 26 at Lockport before returning home Sept. 2 for the home opener against Morton, which will mark the debut of the school’s new artificial turf field. The Trojans also host Lyons on Sept. 16, York on Sept. 30 (Homecoming) and Glenbard West on Oct. 21. They travel to Downers South on Sept. 23 for the annual crosstown game.