Super 25 countdown: Downers South

Updated: August 6, 2011 6:06PM

In some ways, it was business as usual last season for Downers Grove South football.

The Mustangs won another West Suburban Gold title, they went to the IHSA playoffs for the 15th straight season and a member of the Williams family was the featured back.

But neither coach John Belskis nor senior Josh Williams wants a repeat of 2010, at least in one area.

"One game we had nine starters out with injuries," Belskis said. "We had an inordinate amount of injuries last year on our offensive line."

And it didn't end there. The Mustangs lost defensive lineman Josh Aldrin to a torn ACL just before the season opener and had linebacker Lance Leong out with a concussion for their first-round playoff defeat to Neuqua Valley that ended a 7-3 season.

Little wonder that Downers South - ranked 20th in the Sun-Times preseason Super 25 - is hoping first and foremost to stay out of the trainer's room and doctor's office this fall.

Keeping Williams on the field will be job one.

"I've been in the weight room almost every day this offseason," said Williams, in his third season as a starter and following in the footsteps of his brother Scott, another three-year regular. "I feel a lot stronger, a lot healthier. These last few years I've struggled with injuries. (But) my confidence level is higher, this being my third year on the varsity."

"He's primed to have a great season if he stays healthy," Belskis said. "He just has a presence on the field. ... Everybody knows how good he is. He provides great leadership on the field and in the weight room."

The Mustangs have some experienced linemen back to help open holes for Williams, led by senior left tackle Shane Companey. Guards Mark Muench and Tim Lieb also are experienced blockers.

Opponents won't be able to focus solely on Williams and the Mustangs' run game. If they do, they're likely to get burned by third-year varsity quarterback A.J. Ponticelli. He has some capable targets in tight end Scott Daly, who is committed to Notre Dame as a long snapper, and wide receivers Marco Scalzetti and Kaylon Miller.

"We're looking pretty good in the 7-on-7s," Wlliams said. "It's given A.J., our quarterback, a great chance to get better and show other people what he's able to do. I feel as though we have good diversity on our offense."

There's plenty of experience on the defensive side of the ball, with seven starters back. Among the key performers are senior cornerback Danny Leach, Leong, Aldrin, linebackers Leo Arvanitakis and Melvin Saulsberry and lineman Chris Eberhart.

And the Mustangs don't have to worry about special teams with senior Anthony Farinella back to handle the punting and kicking.

"We feel we've got enough to be competitive every game," Belskis said.

That's assuming injuries aren't an issue again this fall.

"We're hoping we got them all our in one year," Belskis said.

No doubt Williams and his teammates feel the same way.

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