Red Raiders are back to gridiron work
HUNTLEY — Although the Huntley football squad’s regular season doesn’t start until the end of August, the Red Raiders are in summer camp mode at Red Raider Stadium.
“Summer camp for football is basically preseason so in my opinion it’s essential to getting your team ready for the season,” Red Raiders head coach Mike Naymola said in mid-June. “We have competition all over the field. Lots of kids are trying to earn spots and the competition element of that is going to pay dividends in the end. I don’t want anyone to feel overly comfortable each day and that each day is important. We have a very intense battle at the running back position and they know everything they do is being evaluated daily.”
Naymola is in his third season in directing the Red Raiders’ gridiron effort. Huntley has a 17-4 record in his guidance, including a second-place FVC achievement and a first-round playoff win over Niles West last season in a 9-2 campaign.
Huntley’s highlight of the pre-season camp is playing at Borwnsburg, Ind., July 22-24. The first day of Huntley football practice is Aug. 12. The 2024 season opener will be at Fox Valley Conference foe Crystal Lake Central on Aug. 30.
Quarterback Braylon Bower is back, after the Red Raiders passed for 1,500 yards last season and scored more than 300 points. Haiden Janke, who ranks in the top three in school career rushing yards graduated, but many running back candidates as well as wide receivers look to contribute.
“You can see the difference from last season in Bower, as last year he was in competition mode. He does a nice job of leading the offense,” Naymola said.
Running back candidates include senior Raiden Dvorak, who was Janke’s back-up last season and junior Gavin Havens.
“Havens had a great off-season,” Naymola said. “Dvorak injured an ACL. He was cleared, but you can tell he is not as well.”
Senior Zach Rysavy will switch his emphasis from state-qualifying triple jumper to defensive back. A three-sport Red Raider, he also plays basketball and was a state meet qualifier in track-and-field as a triple jumper.
Overall, it comes down to the basics going well for the Red Raiders.
“You have to do the little things, like make good plays, good drives and good things will happen,” Naymola said.
The Red Raiders coaching staff a change as Mike Sebesteyen takes over at offensive coordinator for Mike Slattery. Slattery this year will be offensive coordinator at East Troy, Wis.
“Sebestyen has been coaching high school football for over 25 years with numerous state championships under his belt at Prospect High School as an assistant for coach Brent Pearlman. I’m very fortunate to be surrounded with not just great coaches but great people,” Naymola said.
A look at how some Red Raiders leaders are anticipating the season:
“I’m very excited for the new season,” junior lineman Ryan Wabel said. “We’ve been working on getting stronger and faster. I’ve been playing line since eighth grade, offense my freshman year and defense last season. I’ll play both offense and defense this season. I think we’re going to be quick and explosive.”
“I feel confident coming into the year,” Bower, an all-FVC pick last season, said. “I worked with Throw Deep the last two seasons with Dan Santiago, with private lessons. My cousin, Jackson, is also a quarterback. We talk a lot about football as a family.”
Another senior is defensive end Carter Pope.
“The defense was great last year, but we’re staying humble for this season. I admire the play of the Bosa brothers in San Fransisco. I’ve gone to college camps and work with my dad, Jeff,” Pope commented.
