Owen Piche had an extra itch that needed scratching.
The anticipation of Monday’s first day of football practice is palpable for every player and coach across Illinois.
It was that times two for Piche, a Neuqua Valley senior and Navy recruit.
Piche missed the entire summer because of a dislocated left shoulder. This was his first day back, albeit on a limited basis.
“You feel a little secluded when you’re not doing stuff everybody else is doing,” said Piche, a wide receiver/linebacker. “It feels good to be back.”
Piche is taking things slowly. After all, this group is built for the long haul.
He’s one of four Neuqua seniors — Notre Dame recruit Isaiah Robertson, Anthony Ippolito and Jake Zeiler are the others — entering their third varsity season.
Piche and Robertson were two-way starters last year for a team that finished 7-4 and lost to Waubonsie Valley in the second round of the Class 8A playoffs.
That finish fuels Neuqua.
“Getting to the playoffs is cool,” Piche said. “But this is the year. This is our time to step through the door and make a run.”
The biggest question, at least for the moment, is who will throw to Piche and Co.
Neither senior Jack Bastable nor junior Jake Eskoff separated themselves during summer 7-on-7s.
Bastable threw two passes last season as the backup to Jack Stankoven. Eskoff transferred from Wisconsin last school year, but didn’t play football.
“It could go down to the wire,” Neuqua coach Bill Ellinghaus said. “I’m comfortable knowing that we’re going to win football games with either of those kids.”
Bastable, for one, said he’s embracing the competitive process.
He’s put on 20 pounds and with that bulk comes added arm strength. He broke down film and his mechanics at Don Beebe’s House of Speed.
“I feel I’m bigger, faster and stronger than I was before,” Bastable said. “(Competition) just makes you better. You have to look at it that way. Jake is pushing me every day to get better.”
Either quarterback will have a nice collection of targets at his disposal.
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Robertson is the top-rated receiver in the Chicago area and Piche is a top-35 recruit in Illinois. Senior Donny Navarro seems poised for a breakout season in the slot.
Robertson and Navarro both starred for a Midwest Boom 7-on-7 team that won two national championships this summer.
“I would say we have the best receivers in the state,” said Bastable, whose experience with Piche dates back to sixth grade with the Naperville Patriots. “You have to stink to not hit those guys.”
Piche, coming off surgery on the twice-injured shoulder, was held out of team drills Monday and probably won’t go full contact the next two weeks.
He’s aiming to be in uniform for the season opener against Metea Valley on Aug. 26. Ellinghaus, though, cautions that Piche may need an additional week or two.
“The sooner the better,” Piche said. “I’m easing my way back into it but at the same time I have to listen to the doctors. The intensity was really fast (Monday). We’re flowing well, things are starting to click. It’s exciting.”
Joshua Welge is a freelance writer for the Naperville Sun.