McHenry football preview

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McHenry has qualified for the playoffs in each of the last 20 seasons, the fifth longest streak in the state. Fourth-year head coach Tim Beagle, who has been on the staff since 1996, said there is no special secret to the prolonged success.

“There’s a lot of tradition and I think [the players] have a lot of pride in it,” Beagle said. “It’s special, but I think it’s because of [former] Coach [Mike] Noll. I just ride his coattails.”

McHenry is rebuilding on offense, but with eight returning starters on defense figures to be in every game. In fact, the Warriors have higher goals than just making the playoffs. They haven’t won a playoff game since 2003 and so are focused on improving on their 5-5 record of 2007.

“What will help is getting a home game,” Beagle said. “It’s kind of like a roadblock for the kids. They think, ‘Can we win on the road?’ So that’s a big goal for us.”

The defense is led by senior defensive end Jon Lesniak (6-4, 200) and senior middle linebacker Graham Olson (6-2, 195).

“They make a huge difference with their intensity and their intelligence, " Beagle said. “They’re smart kids.”

McHenry’s 4-4 defense is formidable and experienced. Senior tackle Kyle Berquist (6-0, 220) and senior end Ben Finfrock (5-11, 190) are returning starters, as are senior free safety Jimmy Thomson (5-11, 19) and senior cornerback Mike Cannevello (5-10, 165) and junior linebacker Jake Howe (6-2, 245). Junior Nico Delorenzo (6-1, 180) could make an impact at corner and wide receiver.

Offensively, the Warriors will try to control the clock as much as possible with their wing-T, which will be run by senior quarterback Ryan Michel (6-3, 170), a part-time starter last fall. Senior running back Mike Soto (5-9, 170), senior tight end Nick Brennan (6-3, 215) and senior guard Josh Kuthe (5-11, 185) are the other keys.

“There are no superstars this year,” Beagle said. “Right now it seems like [we have] a bunch of good high school football players and sometimes that’s what the best teams are made of.”