Aug. 15--Last year, Lemont's numbers painted a pretty picture.
The Indians won 13 games -- their first 11 by double digits -- and topped 42 points seven times. Their defense held 12 opponents to 20 points or fewer and recorded three shutouts. Top receiver Flynn Nagel caught 93 passes for 1,431 yards and 28 touchdowns. They had plenty of depth with 71 players on the roster.
Lemont converted those numbers into a second-place finish in Class 6A. But now, the Indians have a different problem to solve.
Lemont's varsity squad boasts only 43 players. Graduation claimed 32 seniors, including 15 starters. Only two starters -- left guard Casey O'Brien and running back Anthony Martin -- return on offense.
"Don't remind me of that," head coach Bret Kooi said with a nervous laugh. "We don't know what the process is going to be like until we get the results."
Kooi has been here twice before. He stepped into challenging roles at Lockport and Joliet West, where success came only after years of building support for the program and fleshing out the roster. At Lockport, his first team went 1-8, but the Porters won back-to-back 8A titles within the decade.
Kooi said he knew the roster would be smaller for this year and next, and Lemont had more success prior to his arrival historically than either of his two previous schools.
Lemont is hopeful but realistic. No one is talking of a repeat trip to the state finals, nor another undefeated regular season. The Indians are young and will have a target on their backs regardless of how different this team is from the one that dominated the South Suburban Blue a year ago.
But if the cards fall just right, Lemont could still contend in November. All it takes is five (or six) regular-season wins and a good draw to begin another postseason run.
"I've got confidence in the offense. We'll get it going," senior receiver and defensive back Jeremy Fejedelem said. "It's mostly mental things. You've just got to stay on (the younger players) mentally."
Fejedelem is one of only a few Indians who will play both ways. Kooi prefers his starters to specialize in offense or defense, which allows more players to see action of the field. But it also could put an already thin team in jeopardy if injuries pile up, as they did two years ago when Lemont went 3-6.
"You've just got to be ready to play and keep your focus on the game you're about to play," said O'Brien, who broke his left ankle in the 2013 opener. "I've got to mentor the younger guys on offense. They're new to this. We've got to bring them step by step on what we're doing."
Chad Barnett and Spencer Nagel, Flynn's cousin, are vying for the starting role under center. Fejedelem anchors a promising receiving corps, though the defense likely will be the Indians' strong suit out of the gate. Three of Lemont's five team captains are defensive backs.
"(Friday) we did a little goal line third-and-short, and we sort of got it handed to us offensively," Kooi said. "We're young, so we're going to have our share of young mistakes at the beginning. I think our defense is going to be solid and be able to hold the fort for us."
LEMONT
2014: 13-1 (6-0, 1st place South Suburban Blue).
Playoffs: 6A final (L 26-7 vs. Nazareth).
Coach: Bret Kooi (129-86 overall in 21 years, 13-1 in 2nd year at Lemont).
Key player: Anthony Martin, soph., RB (843 yards, 4 TDs).
