By Bobby Narang
The Plainfield Central High School football team is looking for a 180-degree change this season.
After the Wildcats finished with a 0-9 record last season, second-year coach Robby Carriger said his players have put the past behind them.
Plainfield Central will opens the season at Waukegan Friday, Aug. 29.
“Team-wise, we’re looking to bounce back,” Carriger said. “Headed into my second year, we’re getting more into the culture and everyone is getting comfortable with the scheme. I’ve seen a lot of growth over the last nine months. We have a lot of positive energy around the program. We’re not deterred about last year. If anything, we’re motivated by it and excited to show what we can do as a team and a program.”
Plainfield Central senior wide receiver/running back Torrance Freeman is a key returnee in the program’s quest for a winning season.
Freeman said he’s noticed a change in his teammates this season, including at last weekend’s Downers Grove South 7-on-7.
“All the hard work that the team has put in over the offseason proves that we have been locked in from the start,” Freeman said. “This is my final year playing high school football. I’m truly excited to leave it all on the field.”
Freeman said he enters the season armed with confidence following a strong offseason.
“My overall knowledge of football, as well as my confidence on the field, has skyrocketed,” Freeman said. “I’m excited to show what I can do at running back and wide receiver. I’m explosive off the ball, whether that’s running routes or receiving handoffs.”
Carriger said Freeman is a player capable of affecting a game in many ways.
“Torrance is a do-everything guy for us,” Carriger said. “He’s a leader and I wish I had more players like him on the team. He’s incredibly athletic and dynamic and a guy we can rely on. We’re going to give him the ball in many ways. He’s a playmaker.”
Senior Stephon Griffin, a wide receiver and cornerback, is a two-way contributor slated for plenty of reps this season. Griffin is a player who will rarely leave the field,’ Carriger said.
“Stephon is a freak athlete,” Carriger said. “When we do the totals at the end of the season, he will have played the most snaps on this team by a long way, assuming he stays healthy. He continues to sharpen his skills on both sides of the ball. He catches your attention with his athleticism. He can really jump.”
Griffin said he worked on his technique at cornerback and his hands to improve on both sides of the ball for this season.
“I want to be able to guard the best player on each team,” Griffin said. “I know I have to have a lot of endurance to last a whole game going both ways. I want to be one of those players you worry about on both sides. I know I can be a factor for our offense and our defense. I’m ready to go prove it in week one.”
Carriger said sophomore quarterback Tommy Morrisette made big strides at the Downers Grove South 7-on-7. Morrisette’s improvement is a vital factor for Plainfield Central. Morrisette started two games last season due to an influx of injuries at quarterback.
“Tommy’s growth between last year to this year and the beginning of the summer to now has been really impressive,” he said. “This is his first real chance to run the team. His performance at Downers Grove South exceeded our expectations for him.”