By Bobby Narang
The high school football season is rapidly approaching due to a shortened summer.
In February, the Illinois High School Association member schools voted to pass a special bylaw proposal changing the start date of the first football practice. The first football practice will now be held August 5, partly due to the IHSA voting in December to expand the playoffs by one week.
Two area DuKane Conference teams, Batavia and St. Charles North, are adjusting to the new schedule.
St. Charles North coach Rob Pomazak said his team is moving in the right direction after losing numerous standouts from last season’s 10-win team.
“Our summer has been good,” Pomazak said. “We had to adjust to shortened schedule of 20 days, but the kids put great effort. We graduated a large number of seniors, but it’s an opportunity for some new guys to step in and fill key roles. Everybody has been working hard in the offseason. Our senior leadership has been fantastic.
“Being so young, we as coaches are trying to improve our teaching and stepped into a role as teachers so that the lessons are taught cleanly. I’ve been pleased with the effort our staff has made. We’re trying to see who can plan on Friday nights. We’re slowly developing a depth chart.”
St. Charles senior running back Tommy Vendl is slated to make a big impact after rushing for 612 yards and five touchdowns last season.
“Tommy is a special player,” Pomazak said. “Offensively, we’re looking to build around him. He’s a legit 4.4 sprinter and one of our strongest players. He’s a really good running back and one of the best backs we’ve had in program history.”
Batavia coach Dennis Piron has built an annual state title contender in the last decade. Piron said the Bulldogs are right on schedule thanks to an experienced offense and aggressive defense.
“We have had such a great offseason and the kids have worked really hard,” Piron said. “It’s been great for our kids the number of guys in our program with college interest. It’s really unusual and exciting to have so many guys committed before their senior year. It’s usually just a kid and others waiting for an opportunity. There is a lot of buzz around our offense, but the defense has really improved as well. The offense has looked phenomenal.”
Batavia senior quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren, a Wyoming recruit, is the headliner on a team with star-level players and Division I recruits, which includes wide receivers Brennon Zang and Darin Ashiru and tight end Thomas Prescott. Zeng committed to Northern Illinois, while Ashiru is slated to attend Western Michigan and Prescott verbally committed to Wyoming.
The 6-foot-1, 198-pound Vander Luitgaren, who is also a standout baseball player, said the Bulldogs have not let their recent commitment deter them from the ultimate goal of bringing a state title back to Batavia.
“The vibe stays the same,” Vander Luitgaren said. “It’s amazing to say we have all this D1 talent, but nobody’s mentality has changed. Everyone is grinding and working hard to get that state championship. All the guys on our squad are treated equally and it will show this year during games.
“Our offense definitely has a ton of firepower. I’m very grateful to be able to throw to three D1 guys. The guys that don’t have offers are still unbelievable players as well. We are going to surprise a lot of teams this year. Our offensive line is all new, but they are showing very good signs early. They love to learn and watch film. This year will be exciting with the offense.”
The Bulldogs lost 54-34 to St. Rita despite Vander Luitgaren passing for 293 yards and a touchdown.
“The potential is definitely a state championship,” he said. “We have come up short the past two years, but have been very close to that goal. I think this is the best team we have had over those years. We have a very strong defense. They have looked really good so far in practice.”