By Bobby Narang
In less than two weeks, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) football season will get under way. Two teams, Montini Catholic and Hinsdale Central, will enter this season with one primary goal: A return trip to the playoffs.
Montini started its annual playoff trip in 1993, coached by Chris Andriano. All the Broncos did was repeatedly reach the playoffs, year after year after year on the way to picking up six State championships in the Andriano era.
Since the pandemic, the Broncos’ program has suffered on the field by falling short of reaching the playoffs in the last two seasons. In total, the Broncos have won just nine games in two-plus seasons.
Montini head coach Mike Bukovsky said the Broncos are aiming to end their playoff drought, led by talented running backs Alex Marre and George Asay.
“We had a very strong Summer and have competed very well at our 7 on 7s,” Bukovsky said. “We’re looking forward to a big boost from a very deep and talented junior class. Many of them saw significant playing time last year as sophomores. Our seniors have been excellent leaders so far this season, and we should have more depth than the previous few teams. We’re hoping to be a much more physical team this season on both sides of the ball.”
Running back Asay, who gained 15 pounds in the offseason to put his weight at 175 pounds, said the returnees are motivated to atone for last season’s 3-6 record.
“I’m motivated to become better next year and make it, and be able to excel at the next level,” Asay said. “My increase in speed has added another weapon to my arsenal for the upcoming season. I’m excited to see what my teammates, such as Alex Marre, and I are able to do in our senior season.”
At Hinsdale Central, the theme is the same. The Red Devils missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2010.
“Coming off not making the playoffs, our first goal is to get back there,” Hinsdale Central head coach Brian Griffin said. “Because of the number of newcomers, it will be hard to gauge where we are as a team right now but the kids are working really hard and are bringing their best. We play a very difficult schedule with, I believe, six teams that made the playoffs last year, so we will find out who we are early and how ready we are to compete.”
“We have a group that loves playing football and has a ton of fun together. They are competitive and really enjoy the game. This brings a positive energy to everything we have done so far. We will be a little bit of a mixed back in terms of experience. Defensively, we are returning one starter. We will have a good chunk of the defense that’s new and some guys switching positions. They are competitive and hard-working, but will have some growing pains. Offensively, we have a little more experience, but are still very young. Our line has experience and we have some skill kids who can really move, but it will just be a matter of finding out how all the pieces fit together.”