St. Charles East linebacker Abe Swanson wondered initially whether the Saints defense could reach levels attained during last year’s run to the Class 8A quarterfinals.
Swanson meant no disrespect to this group, but allowing 10.4 points over 12 games required both talent and good fortune.
With regular-season games left Friday at home against Elgin (2-5, 1-3) and Oct. 20 at Streamwood (0-7, 0-4), the Saints (5-2, 2-2) are ahead of schedule at 10.3 points allowed.
“We thought there would be a lot of gashes, at first anyway, but dudes have stepped up and done a great job so far,” Swanson said. “We had to replace some players, but we found good replacements and new guys in leadership roles.
“For example, Sam Grohe was a real vocal leader for us last year as a senior, but I feel we’ve found some real leaders.”
One is Swanson, a 6-foot, 200-pounder who last year was one of five current Saints defensive starters to make all-conference. The others were South Dakota State recruit Nick Garlisch, defensive back Yalon Rogers, linebacker Nico Piaskowy and defensive end/linebacker Pat Griffin.
Coach Bryce Farquhar puts Swanson at “an all-state” level this year. Physical and mobile, Swanson has two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
The Saints’ relatively small, quick defense has allowed more than seven points only twice, and has 15 takeaways. Garlisch, a defensive back, and linebacker Robert Carne also have two interceptions.
“Pat Griffin and Nico have been very disruptive for us off the edge,” Farquhar said.
St. Charles East needs one win to clinch a playoff spot.
“I think we can get lot better even going into the playoffs,” Swanson said. “We can change a lot of things up. This is a defense that can make adjustments.”
One-hander: Burlington Central middle linebacker Ryan Doubek continues to impress coaches and teammates with his comeback from a fractured hand.
Doubek is wearing a cast on his hand and missed Games 2-5. This made for interesting film review this week after he had a one-handed interception against Woodstock North Friday in a 17-7 loss.
“We kind of joked during film session that it was a good thing they threw it to his good hand and not his club hand,” Burlington Central coach Brian Melvin said. “What that kid is doing with one hand is absolutely unreal. He’s having a great senior year.”
Doubek has 18 tackles, a forced fumble and fumble recovery for Burlington (3-4, 1-3), which hosts Marengo (2-5, 1-3) Friday in pursuit of a playoff berth.
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Melvin believes the Rockets would have sufficient playoff points to qualify at 5-4 if they finish the regular season with wins over Marengo and winless Harvard.
“It was a goal since summer team camp to make state, so it would be a big deal to the program,” Melvin said.
High rating: Jacobs’ running game and defense have gained momentum over three straight weeks. Nowcoach Bill Mitz looks forward to seeing how far they’ve come when the Golden Eagles go on the road Friday against Iowa recruit Samson Evans and defending 6A champion Prairie Ridge.
“We’re not really believing the stuff we’re hearing about Samson hurting and maybe he should sit until the playoffs,” Mitz said. “He’s a kid who plays at another level.
“Of all the high school players I’ve seen since I’ve been coaching, I’d have to put him right there with the (Rashard) Mendenhall (Niles West) and Naperville Central’s Ryan Clifford in the top three I’ve ever seen.”
Behind running back Loren Strickland (650 yards) and fullback Stephen Kavanaugh, the Golden Eagles (5-2, 4-2) are trying to clinch a playoff berth and end Prairie Ridge’s 21-game winning streak.
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