Despite loss, Lemont's season a success

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:04PM

Lemont coach Eric Michaelsen would prefer to be game-planning in preparation of a Class 6A semifinal game this weekend.

But a 30-21 defeat Saturday to Marmion Academy in the quarterfinals ended the Indians' season.

Still, it was another successful campaign for Lemont, which registered an undefeated regular season and South Suburban Blue title.

"I'd like to still be playing but it was a great season," Michaelsen said. "For a team with only three starters back on both sides of the ball, the kids did a really nice job."

Michaelsen figures to welcome back 13 starters next fall, which should position the Indians (11-1) for a fifth straight season of registering a double-digit victory total.

There are, however, some big departures, including wide receivers Lee Taylor and Josh Ferry and do-it-all Clayton Fejedelem.

"We'll have more experience coming back (in 2011) than we did this year," Michaelsen said. "We're losing pretty good players."

Offseason conditioning is major reason the Indians have been able to sustain success. Michaelsen expects his players to lift four times a week, beginning Nov. 29. Even multisport players are expected to show in the weight room.

"We give them through Thanksgiving to take some time off, but after that we expect them to lift," Michaelsen said. "If they're playing another sport, which we encourage our players to do, we don't expect them to forget about us. We still want them to lift some.

"We expect a lot during the offseason. After four years, our kids leave us stronger and are better athletes than when they come in."

The Indians sophomore team finished just 3-6 this season. That mark is deceiving, however. Three sophomores, including two linemen, started on the varsity.

Caravan line awesome

Lost amid Mount Carmel's dominant performance Friday against Lyons Township was the play of its offensive line. Zack Griffin, Tom Scanlan, Ed O'Connor, Salvador Arceo and Adam Connors provided space for the Caravan offense to thrive and register 41 points.

Running back Michael Banks and quarterback Chris Sujka each topped 100 yards rushing.

"The offensive line was great," said Sujka, of Oak Forest. "They've been getting the job done all year."

Warriors will reload

Crete-Monee took one on the chin Saturday vs. Danville, but the Warriors should bounce back next season. Coach Jerry Verde's squad is losing a good chunk of talent, tops among them quarterback Jaylen Bailey, wide receiver Lexus Jackson, linebacker James Jamison, defensive lineman Johnnie McCaskel and running back Julius Spicer.

The combination of some holdovers and the influx of talent from a conference champion sophomore squad and an undefeated freshmen team should have the Warriors in position to qualify for the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season in 2011.

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