Coal City picks up ‘gauntlet’

Updated: September 27, 2011 7:51PM

From Weeks 4 through 8, Coal City’s schedule includes games against four 2010 playoff teams. Coach Lenny Onsen calls it a “five-game gauntlet.”

Five weeks into the season, it’s clear the undefeated Coalers are answering the challenge.

“We’ve played well the first two,” Onsen said of the five-game stretch. “Now we’ve got to prepare for the rest. It doesn’t get any easier.”

A 31-20 Interstate Eight Large victory Friday over defending champion Sandwich followed a 21-7 win Sept. 16 over previously unbeaten Plano. Herscher, Manteno and Wilmington are still ahead in the “gauntlet.”

“Their focus is that they’re happy with a win on Friday and then come in on Saturday and get ready for the next opponent,” Onsen said.

A big part of the offense continues to be the combination of quarterback Cody Onsen, the coach’s son, and receiver Matt Halloran, who has eight touchdowns.

“He (Halloran) wants to get in the end zone every time he catches it,” Lenny Onsen said.

The offensive line of tackles Ryan Bloom and Aaron Clavin, guards Kenton Clayburn and Kameron Grant and center Sam Turner is doing its job. Cody Onsen already has passed for 911 yards and 14 touchdowns.

“We felt this was a team that was going to have to take strides,” Lenny Onsen said. “We think we’ve taken those strides each and every week.”

Double duty

Early returns indicate that being the Plainfield South football coach agrees with basketball coach Ken Bublitz.

“It’s been a fantastic experience,” Bublitz said of his first season as head coach. “Football is football. It’s a great game and high school football is one of the purest games we have left.

“It’s fun being on the practice field. I’ve always enjoyed that. One of the great perks of being involved is seeing the development of kids and teams.”

Bublitz was an assistant coach for six seasons at South before he took over the job from Mike Briscoe.

“I feel very lucky having the guys we have on our football staff, because that’s really made all the difference,” Bublitz said.

As the basketball head coach, Bublitz knows more than a little about being the front man for a varsity program. An important part of the job is administrative.

“The most dramatic difference is being responsible for all levels,” he said. “Any time anything needs to be addressed, that’s something you’ve got to be on top of. You’ve got to have great communication with your lower level coaches.”

Under the radar

Overlooked? Probably not. Lockport (4-1) could have a long run this season, but just how good are the Porters?

Lockport won its first two games, against Downers Grove North and Plainfield North, before losing 38-7 to Lincoln-Way East, ranked No. 5 in the Sun-Times.

Lockport responded by beating Joliet Central and Lincoln-Way Central, but the Porters have just one victory against a winning team. Downers North, Joliet Central and Lincoln-Way Central are a combined 2-13.

The Porters definitely would take a step up with a victory Friday over visiting Homewood-Flossmoor, 3-2 after back-to-back losses to Lincoln-Way East and Bolingbrook.

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