The Riverside Brookfield football team felt an unexpected and disappointing seven-year itch last season. Suffering their first losing campaign since 1999 and consequently failing to make the state playoffs for the first time in seven years, the Bulldogs are clearly motivated to drop the losing bug and resume their winning form.
“I think the kids are very motivated to get back on track,” said RB coach Otto Zeman. “They have worked hard in the offseason and it’s important that we get off to a good start this year. We have to perform better offensively. There was too much pressure put on our defense last year, especially with our style of play.”
The Bulldogs’ well-known, entertaining style of play revolves around an aggressive offensive attack which typically employs five wide-receiver sets. Although the Bulldogs posted game totals of 53, 49 and 36 points in three games last year, the Fun N’ Gun approach didn’t always click, as evidenced by two key conference losses to Ridgewood, 14-8 and 14-13.
Lucas Hackel, a 6-foot-4-inch, 205-pound senior, takes over at quarterback for RB. He follows in the footsteps of former standouts like Tim Brasic and Chris Pesek. Athletic sophomore Billy VandeMerkt will serve as Hackel’s understudy and future starting signal caller for the Bulldogs.
Along with Hackel, senior wide receiver Deon Walker (5-10, 170) returns as one of the premier players in the Metro Suburban Conference. Walker will lead a cadre of interchangeable wideouts including Shane Kilcoyne, Anthony Kilcoyne, Will Lustoff, Jeff Rodriguez, Dontaye Bosley and Sean McGonagil.
“We have a lot of receivers and we’ll look to use all of them in this offense,” Zeman said. “Deon [Walker] was our best receiver last year. He is a proven player and will provide plenty of leadership.”
Center Evan Poplin, left guard Paul Russell, left tackle Andrew Johnson, right guard Billy Vermillion and right tackle Andrew Biggerstaff comprise the offensive line.
Lustoff and Rodriguez may serve as situational running backs much like Greg Pawlik effectively did last season, while Juan Gomez Velez will handle the kicking duties for RB.
Middle linebackers Dylan Krug (5-9, 195) and Don Johnson (5-11, 205) will anchor the defense. Matt Reginier, Pete Szumski, Crane Baer and Mike Butkovich are the outside linebackers expected to fortify the Bulldogs’ run defense. Returning defensive lineman Dave Borrego (6-1, 210) joins fellow seniors Jake Czajka (5-11, 230) and Nick Miller (6-0, 185) as the Bulldogs’ three-down linemen. Tyler Wienke and Rob Frampton are the projected starting cornerbacks; however, the RB secondary might be missing one key starter due to injury.
“We have some young kids in our secondary,” Zeman said. “[Safety] John Mossman has had a bad ankle sprain during the offseason. He’s a good hitter and the fastest kid on our team. We hope we can get him back in action early this season.”
Zeman believes RB has the tools to win the Metro Suburban, however the veteran coach acknowledges Ridgewood, led by quarterback Pat Czerwiec, and defending conference champion Fenton should also vie for the title.
The Bulldogs open their season at home against Metamora on Friday at 7 p.m.
“We played Metamora last year, who finished with a 12-1 record,” Zeman noted. “From what I have been hearing, Metamora is supposed to have an even better team this year. They are coming to our place so we have to be ready to go right from the home opener.”
On Friday, August 31, the host Bulldogs welcome rival Nazareth for a 7:30 game. Last year, RB pulled off an improbable 36-35 win at Nazareth. The Bulldogs rallied from a 35-14 deficit with 15 minutes left in the game to stun the Roadrunners.
Key returners: Lucas Hackel, Deon Walker
2006 record (finish): 3-6 overall, 2-4 Metro Suburban Conference
Tidbit: With a solid group of receivers, the sweet flinging offense could be ready to put on quite a show this season.
Coach’s quote: “We’re undefeated right now so I feel pretty good.”