Pioneer Press previews the 2016 Hinsdale South football season.
Coach: Mike Barry, entering sixth season
2015 record: 9-4 (5-1 West Suburban Gold), lost 40-37 to Crete-Monee in Class 6A semifinals
Offense: A huge task for Hinsdale South will be replacing standouts at skill positions, including quarterback, wide receiver and running back. Junior wide receiver Destin Talbert, a starter last season, is back in the spread pistol offense Hinsdale South runs. “We like to really stretch the field and force teams to play option football,” Barry said.
Defense: Deontae Curry has been on varsity since his sophomore year, and the captain will anchor the 3-5-3 defense from his spot at inside linebacker. Shawn Cephus, Julian Kinsey and Aaron Woods likely will be big contributors for the defense, as well. “Our defense, we have always been good, every year,” Curry said. “This year nothing has changed. We are still going to be good. We are still going to hit hard.”
Strong side: The Hornets hope to sustain the program’s momentum after consecutive nine-win seasons and deep playoff runs. “I do not think that we really set a bar, we just come out and do what we do every year,” Curry said. “If we achieve more than we did last year, that is great.”
Weak side: The Hornets will have to replace Sean McCormack, who rewrote the Hornets’ record book last season and is now a preferred walk-on at Louisville. Senior Brian Rudolph and junior Justin Kolzow are competing to take the reins of an offense that averaged 37.5 points per game last season. “We have two quarterbacks, and we like both of them right now,” Barry said.
Team tradition: A large rock at the northwest corner of the Hornets’ practice field is painted black and has the words “South Pride” written on it. Players have to pass it and touch it whenever they leave the field to go to the locker room. “We wanted something that was permanent and solid, that would be here forever,” Barry said. “(We wanted) something the kids could rally behind.”
Quote: “Overall, the understanding of how to win, how to prepare, is probably one of the strengths we have,” Barry said.
2016 Schedule
Aug. 26, Prospect, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 2, GLENBARD WEST, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 9, DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH*, 7:30 p.m.
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Sept. 16, Willowbrook*, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23, PROVISO EAST*, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 30, Addison Trail*, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 7, LEYDEN*, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 14, Hinsdale Central, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 21, Morton*, 7:30 p.m.
HOME GAMES IN BOLD
* West Suburban Gold game
Patrick Kelly is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press