Oswego East seeks first playoff bid in program history

Updated: August 22, 2011 10:24PM

How often does Oswego East senior running back Jake Aceret think about the Wolves being the first team in program history to make the playoffs?

“Every ounce of me, every day,” Aceret said. “Everyone on the team wants to be a part of it.”

But how hard is it not to look too far ahead?

“It’s very hard,” Aceret said. “Everyone does talk about the playoffs a lot. Everyone wants it.”

Since Oswego East’s first year of varsity in 2005, the football program has never made the playoffs. Coach Mark Green has been there since the beginning. He has experienced a 13-game losing streak that started in 2008, a 0-9 season in 2009 and a three-win season in 2010 that looked promising for 2011.

“Last year was a good first step for us,” said Green, whose Wolves snapped the losing streak with a Week 2, 35-34 thrilling win against non-conference foe Larkin. “We learned how to win. We had a senior class that hadn’t had a lot of success coming into the season. They established a good work ethic. We didn’t have too many one-sided games. We were competitive. The kids fought and worked hard. It prepared us for the offseason.”

“I think this is going to be a great year for us,” Oswego East senior Dakoda Skenandore said. “Everyone has worked extremely hard over the summer. I believe we are going to be bigger and faster than last year.”

Skenandore was last year’s starting quarterback. He ended up setting school records for touchdown passes and passing yardage in a single season. He’s also a two-sport athlete who runs the 400 on the track team.

“He’s had an outstanding summer,” Green said. “He’s been throwing the ball really well. He’s doing a nice job commanding the offense.”

“I feel great about being the leader this year,” Skenandore added.

Aceret will start in the backfield, either at tailback or fullback. He’s another returning starter on offense, and Green hopes he will continue the success the Wolves had on the ground last year with Aceret this year. Ryan Kossakowski, the returning tight end, was big in the Wolves’ passing game last year. Green said he had a great summer. The top newcomers are all juniors — Gunnar Misna, Chris Cooper, Scooter Smith and Killian Mills.

Last year, the sophomore team went 4-5 and the freshmen went 7-2 with a 7-0 showing in conference play. This shows the future teams have great potential. However, Green knows not to look too far ahead. That includes making bold predictions on making the playoffs. All he wants now is for the Wolves to work hard and take one practice and one game at a time.

“We think we are moving in the right direction,” Green said. “We had a good summer, and I’m looking forward to the start of the season.”

Oswego East Wolves

Coach: Mike Green

2010 record: 3-6 overall

Top returners: Dakoda Skenandore (Sr., QB), Jake Aceret (Sr., RB), Ryan Kossakowski (Sr., TE), Anthony Pendelton (Sr., OL), Joe Marchert (Sr., S); Junior Nolan Kopplin (Sr., S).

Key newcomers: Gunnar Misna (Jr., LB), Chris Cooper (Jr., RB), Scooter Smith (Jr., WR), Killian Mills (Jr., C).

Outlook: Green has been head coach since the school’s first varsity team launched in 2005. He’s never seen postseason play. Perhaps this year’s team can make school history? The Wolves have the potential to do so, starting with Skenandore, the school record holder for touchdown passes and passing yardage in a single season. Aceret and Kossakowski also add to the experience returning. There was also moderate success at the lower levels last year, which always helps. The attitudes are positive and the expectations are high for this Oswego East team hoping to build off its three-win season after going winless in 2009.

Schedule

Aug. 26 Rich South 7 p.m.

Sept. 2 at Oak Lawn 7 p.m.

Sept. 9 Plainfield South 7 p.m.

Sept. 16 at Oswego 7 p.m.

Sept. 23 at Plainfield Central 7 p.m.

Sept. 30 Minooka 7 p.m.

Oct. 7 at Romeoville 7 p.m.

Oct. 14 at Plainfield North 7 p.m.

Oct. 21 Plainfield East 7 p.m.

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