Huskies state their case at Bolingbrook

Naperville North’s Tim Weidenbacher makes a cut during the obstacle course.
(Scott Powers/For the Sun-Times News Group)

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Naperville North’s linemen were looking to make a statement Wednesday at the Bolingbrook Lineman Competition.

As the defending Class 8A state champions and the winners of last year’s competition, the Huskies’ five-some of Jake Baratz, Tim Weidenbacher, Casey Domek, Alex Helms and Even Prendergast wanted to show all the teams involved they were set on holding onto both titles.

“It’s a good chance to prove ourselves that were coming back (this year) strong and that we trying to defend our state title,” Baratz said. “Everyone’s gunning for us. So we got to show we’re capable of doing it.”

While some other teams joked around during the downtime, the Huskies, who will have to find a replacement for Sun-Times Player of the Year quarterback Jordan Tassio, were busy game-planning for events.

The Huskies could be seen stretching for the 40-yard dash, warming up for the medicine ball throw, strategizing for the obstacle course and cheering on their sophomore team, which also competed.

“We won this and state last year,” said the 5-11, 235-pound Weidenbacher, a standout defensive lineman who had 62 tackles as a junior last year for Naperville North.

“We want to show that we can do it again. A lot of people are doubting us because we don’t have a lot of returning starters. But I think we can repeat.”

The Baratz- and Weidenbacher-led Huskies excelled in all events: the 185-pound bench press, 40-yard dash, obstacle course, shuttle run and the medicine ball throw.

The 6-5, 285-pound Baratz was one of the most impressive players at Bolingbrook. Baratz threw the medicine ball over 30 feet, reeled out a ton of repetitions on the bench press and showed quickness in the shuttle run.

Home court advantage

The host Raiders were another team that stood out during the competition, winning the always hotly contested tug-of-war for the second consecutive year.

Bolingbrook went undefeated in the tug-of-war tournament, defeating Waubonsie Valley in the finals. Hinsdale South finished third.

Teams of note

Other teams that were impressive throughout the competition include Trevor Rothstein-led Lemont and Dan Zotto-led Andrew. The 6-4, 218-pound Zotto, who gave an oral commitment to Air Force, had 10 sacks as junior last season. Bolingbrook also looked full of talented players.