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Football FeverFriday, August 24, 2007 6:10 AM CDT
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University High: Team hopes veterans, victories go hand in hand
By Randy Kindred
rkindred@pantagraph.com
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NORMAL - As a sophomore quarterback in 1993, Kurt Olson was able to watch and learn from the sideline. Senior Kurt O'Connor was the starter, leading University High School to a 10-2 record and a Class 3A playoff berth. | Photo gallery | 5 Things to Watch | Team facts

Olson would have loved to give his sophomores, and even a few freshmen, that luxury the past two seasons. Instead, hamstrung by small junior and senior classes, the U High coach had to throw many of his young players into the varsity fire.

It is a good way to get burned in the Corn Belt Conference, and the Pioneers came away with 2-7 and 3-6 records.

"Sophomores might have the talent and ability level, but in physical maturity, they're not the same size as juniors and seniors," Olson said. "In the Corn Belt, I think you have to have depth with numbers because you're always going to have injuries. If you have a good junior and senior class, it gives you an opportunity to compete with everybody else."

Olson is hopeful that day has arrived. After going to battle with 18 juniors and seniors two years ago, the number rose to the low 20s last year.

This season?

"It's in the upper 20s," Olson said. "It's starting to pick up as these guys have gotten older. They are light years ahead of the last couple of years, and should feel a lot more comfortable going into the first game, knowing we should be able to line up correctly. Now, we just have to execute."

The most experienced Pioneer is senior linebacker and tight end Trevor Rappa, who's entering his fourth year as a varsity regular.

Rappa recalled trying to feel his way as a freshman in 2004, saying, "You're trying to figure out what high school is like, and what high school football is ? varsity football."

"Now, we have kids who have played for multiple years," Rappa said. "We have a different mindset as far as what we're going to be this season. Our team has a lot more confidence, and we have more camaraderie than we did last year."

Seniors Zach Zentner, Joe Waropay, Corey Olsen, Scott Blair and Ben Hall are beginning their third year as starters. So is junior running back/linebacker Will Brucker.

Juniors Caleb Katz, Dillon Sloneker, Rich Shepard, Vince Chiodo, Deonte VanHook, Max Hayden, Luke Harbers and Jake Todino started games a year ago.

For the first time in awhile, the Pioneers haven't had to introduce themselves to one another in preseason practice.

"It's a huge difference," said Zentner, a linebacker/running back who overcame a bout with testicular cancer prior to his junior season. "As a sophomore, I was so nervous for that first game at Olympia. Even coming into my junior year, I was a little bit slow with everything.

"But coming in as a senior, it's way different."

That was apparent to Olson in the opening practice, and even during the offseason.

He said the lumps his upperclassmen endured the past two years spurred them to work harder in the weight room and in conditioning, beginning in January. He also has watched Rappa and Zentner take the lead with their teammates.

"You can tell that their attitude and their approach to practice and to the game are excellent," Olson said. "Their demeanor and leadership qualities have really developed over those two or three years. They've been through all of the games, they know what to expect and how to prepare for those types of games. They're trying to spread that knowledge to the rest of the guys and motivate them to work hard."

One who does not need prodding is Waropay. A starting offensive and defensive lineman, Waropay spent much of his summer on the baseball diamond. Still, his football motor was running when practice began.

"With Joe, you're going to get 110 percent," Olson said. "He's going to give you all-out effort all the time. In football, that's crucial."

Waropay will be among those blocking for Brucker at running back and Katz, a fullback.

Brucker found playing as a freshman challenging because "they expect you to step up and do your part." Two years later, he expects to benefit from that on-the-job training.

"You already have the growing pains out of the way," he said. "You can go out there and play now.

"We've basically been playing up (in class) for a couple of years. Now, we're catching up."

Katz, who also plays cornerback, said he is simply "more ready" this season.

"Last year I really wasn't used to the speed of varsity football," he said. "This year, I know what's coming. It will be more like second nature instead of worrying about what you have to do."

Take a look
University High School football player Trevor Rappa, right, reaches out for Michael Dopson, left, during a drill in pre-season practice at University High in Normal, Illinois, Friday afternoon (August 10, 2007). (Pantagraph/B Mosher)
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