Coach: Joe Sanchez (18th season).
Last season: 7-4 (3-2 Mid-Suburban West), lost to Homewood-Floosmoor 30-7 in Class 8A second round.
First-and-10: Senior quarterback Tommy Fitzpatrick, a running and passing threat, is a stabilizing force for an offense oozing with potential. Wide receiver EJ Darlington, who caught 47 passes for 548 yards and rushed for 250 yards last season, is also a big-play threat. Running backs Quinn Ketel and Bryan Smith will be aided by a big offensive line looking to atone for some struggles last fall. “I think the strength of our (offensive) unit will be the experience we return,” Sanchez said. “They have a much better feel for what we are trying to do. We have several running backs who I think can really help us, led by Quinn Ketel, who had a great summer for us.”
Three-and-out: Barrington’s defense is led by do-it-all playmaker Lukas Van Ness. The senior defensive end committed to Iowa and had offers from other major-conference schools as well as Ivy League and Mid-American Conference programs. Defensive lineman Matt Reedy is a player with a high upside who will team up with Van Ness to cause havoc. Middle linebacker Dayven Shinhoster is an emerging talent. “The defense returns a lot of experience and really has a strong understanding of what we stand for, having 11 men relentlessly pursuing the football,” Sanchez said. “I’m really excited for Lukas and Matt. I think both of them, along with Dayven Shinhoster, Hayden Kraus and Lucas Kozlowski, help set the tone for our defense.”
Keep an eye on: The offensive line. The Broncos have a deep group that features Niko Kutrombis, Ray Schmitz, Matt Berry, Nathan Kholamian, Logan Ambroz and Matt Blasius. Together, they help offset the graduation of running back Michael Curran and should give Fitzpatrick options to move the chains with his running and passing.
Game to watch: Sept. 13 vs. New Trier. This enticing matchup between two strong programs will feature college-bound athletes on both sides of the ball.
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Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press