Ryan Kriceri is less concerned with dwelling on the job he just won than focusing on the task ahead.
Specifically, getting Metea Valley back to the playoffs.
Kriceri, a senior, won a spirited competition with sophomore Payton Thorne for the Mustangs’ quarterback job.
It wasn’t until Monday that Kriceri found out he’d be the starter.
“It’s been pushing me to be the best I can be,” Kriceri said. “I know what I’m capable of. The uncertainty didn’t concern me.”
Kriceri is one of a few new starters at the skill position for a Metea program that’s teetered on the playoff edge. The Mustangs slipped in at 5-4 in 2014 for their only playoff berth, but came up a win short last year.
That, more than Kriceri’s personal stakes, consumes him most.
“Determined,” Kriceri said, summing up his emotions. “Couple plays here and there and we’re in the playoffs.”
The 6-foot-2 Kriceri, who’s a sturdy 200 pounds, attempted just five varsity passes last year as Conner Lovely’s backup. He did start for the JV team.
“We knew we had something there,” Metea coach Ben Kleinhans said.
Kriceri also soaked in plenty as an understudy. He learned to command a huddle, and picked up mannerisms he plans to incorporate into his game.
“The best thing was Conner’s confidence,” Kriceri said. “You never saw him pouting, never with his head down. He was always upbeat.”
Kriceri will start Friday, but it doesn’t mean he’ll take all the snaps. The two quarterbacks are an interesting contrast. Kriceri is the program quarterback, getting his varsity shot in his final year. Thorne has pedigree.
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He’s the son of North Central coach Jeff Thorne and the grandson of legendary Wheaton Warrenville South and North Central coach John Thorne.
“Payton brings athleticism and a speed component and a good arm,” Kleinhans said. “Ryan just does all the little things well. He’s going to start, and he’s earned it, but Thorne is going to play in different spots. It’s up to our coaches to use the best athletes.”
Metea has never lacked athletes, and won’t again.
Speedy Alonzo Taylor-Jones, a state qualifier in the 100-meter dash, leads the Mustangs’ stable of running backs.
Fellow senior Ben Loutsis, who joined Taylor-Jones on a 400 relay team, is Metea’s best all-around player and by far the team’s most experienced skill-position player.
The 5-foot-10 slot receiver caught 31 passes and three touchdowns as a junior. He could get extra attention with Alec Dodson, Metea’s second-leading returning receiver, out until at least October with an injury.
“The difference with Loutsis is he’s not a secret anymore,” Kleinhans said. “We have to be creative in finding ways to get him the ball.”
Metea’s initial strength could be along both lines. Three offensive linemen return, led by 300-pound center Bobby Papiernik and 270-pound left tackle Bryce Effner.
On the defensive side, there’s Charles Anderson and Michael Robinson, who had 50 tackles and seven sacks as a junior.
Keying a defense returning four starters is middle linebacker Evan Woods, who made a handful of starts as a junior, and safety Johnny Jones.
“Evan sets the tone for our whole defense,” Kleinhans said. “For us to have success on defense he will have to be very good for us.”
Woods sounds ready. Like his classmate Kriceri, he talked about what Metea needs to do to overcome a “4-5 mentality.”
“Focus,” Woods said. “We have to focus on the little things. This is our senior year. It’s our last chance.”
Joshua Welge is a freelance writer for the Naperville Sun.
METEA VALLEY
Last season: 4-5 (3-5 DuPage Valley Conference).
Coach: Ben Kleinhans, fifth year, 15-22.
Players to watch: Ben Loutsis, senior, wide receiver; Michael Robinson, senior, defensive line; Johnny Jones, senior, defensive back; Alonzo Taylor-Jones, senior, running back; Ryan Kriceri, senior, quarterback; Evan Woods, senior, linebacker.
Schedule: (x-denotes DuPage Valley Conference, all begin at 7:30 p.m. unless noted). Aug. 26: x-at Neuqua Valley; Sept. 2: x-at Naperville North; Sept. 9: x-Naperville Central; Sept. 16: x-Wheaton North; Sept. 23: x-at Waubonsie Valley; Sept. 30: x-at Lake Park; Oct. 7: x-Wheaton Warrenville South; Oct. 14: x-Glenbard North; Oct. 21: at Lincoln-Way Central.