Red Raiders more than ready for Tigers
HUNTLEY — The Huntley football team is all set for the new season.
The Red Raiders clash with Crystal Lake Central at Red Raider Stadium Friday, Aug. 25. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
A week earlier, the public had a chance to watch all levels of HHS football teams at a scrimmage.
“Scrimmage night was great,” Red Raiders head coach Mike Naymola said. “We got a lot of players reps and more importantly we got out with no injuries.”
Some starting positions were still contested recently. Junior Braylon Bower won the nod as starting quarterback over junior Cole Copersmet, Naymola announced.
Huntley was co-Fox Valley Conference champs last year and Naymola expects an even tougher league battle this fall.
“The FVC is as wide open as I’ve seen it in my 12 years,” Naymola said.
Naymola talked about the first test, the Tigers.
“We know CLC is a great team and are excited about the opportunity to see them at home this Friday. They will present a great challenge for our defense as QB Jason Penza will make you defend the whole field. Defensive coordinator Paul Reinke and the defense coaches put together a great game plan that we feel good about.”
The team captains have been named. They are all seniors: wide receiver Bryce Walker; defensive lineman Adam Tramuta; offensive lineman and All-FVC player last year Jack Crudele; offensive lineman Vinny Tiberi and defensive back and All-FVC defensive back Zack Garifo.
The Red Raiders’ leading rusher on a 2,000-yard rushing team, senior All-FVC pick Haiden Janke, is back after a 1,400-yards, 12-TD season. Senior wide receiver Jake Witt also returns.
The Red Raiders are coming off one of their more successful seasons recently with an 8-2 overall record, sharing the FVC title with Jacobs and Crystal Lake South and qualifying for the Class 8A playoffs. A total of eight Class of 2023 members are playing college football. But this year’s group is ready to leave its mark each Friday night.
“Our team put in a great deal of work this off-season in the weight room,” Naymola said. “We wanted to become a much more physical overall team and we know it starts in the weight room. Our numbers in our morning workouts were impressive. We retained nearly all of our large 2022 freshman class and they were great this off-season as well. Our staff feels like the work they have put in this off-season has put them in a position to have a chance at success. We know each win this season will have to be earned and we take nothing for granted.”
Naymola, in his second year as head coach but 12th at HHS, outlined the team’s season goals.
“We know we need to be more balanced on offense this year,” Naymola said. “We allowed teams to load up the box last season without making them pay in the passing game and it’s our job to be be better there. It’s no secret we will rely on Janke to carry the ball but we want our quarterback and wide receivers to contribute much more this year. Defensively we lost a lot (to graduation) but we like to keep the mentality of reloading rather than rebuilding.”
“Like any season, we need to minimize our own mistakes and capitalize on opportunities that arise each game. We don’t want to be OK in a lot of things, we want to be great at our base stuff,” Naymola concluded.
Several players who hope to pitch in are: senior lineman Cam Muller; defensive back Jack Laughlin and wide receivers senior Omare Segarra and Bryce Walker.
“Offensively, I feel good about being able to move the ball and put points on the board. Again, if each player on offense can get on the same page and play good team offense, we will give ourselves a chance.”
Naymola concluded with opening week thoughts.
“Our players have bought in and if we continue to show the trust in each other and do their jobs, we will have a chance,” he said.
