Minooka getting lined up

Updated: September 20, 2011 8:09PM

A turnover-filled loss to Morris in the season opener dropped Minooka from the polls. Providence kept Minooka from returning to the rankings by keeping the Indians out of the end zone in Week 2.

Too many turnovers and not enough offense left Minooka with plenty to correct going into its Southwest Prairie Conference schedule.

It took two big-play touchdowns to get rolling, but Minooka finally got on track in a 52-20 victory over Plainfield Central. Running back Kalvin Hill followed that with a physical 310-yard effort Friday in the 54-27 win over Plainfield East.

“He breaks tackles, sees openings, can turn on a dime,’’ Minooka coach Bert Kooi said of Hill. “He does a lot of things for us. Obviously, that’s a huge weapon.’’

Credit also goes to an improving offensive line of tackles Lavell Dean (6-foot-5, 245) and Blake King (6-4, 240), guards Demetri Sparagis (6-2, 215) and Henry Gronlund (6-4, 210) and center Jordan Brod (5-10, 250).

“I think they keep getting better,’’ Kooi said. “A huge part of that is coach (Frank) Yudzentis. They were real young coming into this year. To think those guys had not played a snap of varsity football and they’re doing the things they’re doing.’’

Although both teams are improved this season, Plainfield Central (2-2) and Plainfield East (1-3) were a combined 3-15 last year. The challenge for Minooka now is to put up the points Friday against Plainfield South (3-1, 2-0), which is coming off a 9-2 season.

“They’re going to continue to get better,’’ Kooi said of the offensive line. “Lavell Dean didn’t even see the field Week 1. Blake King was only playing in his second game because he dinged up his knee in practice. Coach Yudzentis has done a great job with those guys.’’

Kooi said after Friday’s victory he has to do a better job working with the kicking team, which gave up three returns for touchdowns vs. Plainfield East.

“Obviously, there were some breakdowns, a scheme thing,’’ Kooi said. “We had some guys injured and we’re replacing guys. No excuses. We have to obviously make that better.’’

Home improvement

The way Joliet West coach Jason Aubry sees it, the upcoming schedule could help the Tigers.

“I’ve looked at our schedule saying it’s in our favor because we have some big games at home,’’ Aubry said after the Week 3 loss to Sandburg. “We’ll have Joliet Central on the road, but then we have Lincoln-Way Central here, we have Lockport here. Our schedule is set up in a good way.’’

The battle of Joliet between West and Central is Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Tigers have been able to move the ball with SaVaughn Alexander leading a group of running backs.

“We’ve got backs all over the place,’’ Aubry said. “He (Alexander) is just a horse right now.’’

Keep an eye on ...

Lincoln-Way West (3-1, 2-0) rebounded from a 35-0 loss to Crete-Monee to win back-to-back Southwest Suburban Red games against Thornridge and Andrew. Next for the Warriors is a road game Friday against Lincoln-Way North (3-1, 1-1). ... Starting a stretch of four home games in five weeks, Coal City defeated Plano 21-7 in a battle of Interstate 8 Large unbeatens. Next for the Coalers (4-0, 2-0) is a home game Friday against defending conference champ Sandwich (4-0, 2-0).

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