Richards could see a lot of new faces

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:06PM

There will be plenty of new faces at Richards next season.

The Bulldogs have 17 starting positions up for grabs, and don't be surprised if players from this year's freshman class fills those spots.

"We're going to be young," said Richards coach Tony Sheehan, whose team dropped a 34-12 Class 6A decision Friday to Rockford Boylan. "But we're looking forward to it. We have a lot of talent at the freshman and sophomore levels."

The sophs finished 7-2, the frosh 8-1.

Sheehan has high hopes for sophomore linebackers A.J. Bray, Brian Hettiger and Leverne Johnson as well as defensive back/running back R.J. Balsan.

However, Sheehan is gushing at the prospect of seeing freshmen quarterback Tommy Mister, running back Tacari Carpenter, running back/linebacker Romel Hill and offensive lineman Alfredo Quinoez fulfill their potential.

If that group of frosh and sophs stick to the offseason plan, the Bulldogs have a real chance at defending their South Suburban Red title - especially with the return of wide receiver Davonta Corner, cornerback Desmond Gallion, defensive back Danny Johnson, offensive lineman Frank Bell and defensive lineman Marcus Smith.

Sheehan praised the seniors, who led the Bulldogs to an 8-3 mark this season.

"The seniors dedicated themselves and I'm very proud of them," he said. "They were very good leaders and really showed people that Richards football is back."

Tinley Park looks ahead

Tinley Park finished 7-4 after falling Saturday to Vernon Hills' 37-22 in the Class 5A playoffs.

The Titans, however, were an even better team than their final record indicates. Three regular-season defeats, to Lemont, T.F. South and Oak Forest - all playoff teams - were by a combined 14 points.

Nick Johnston hopes the group of returning players and the infusion of up-and-coming talent can sustain the winning ways.

"This group of kids worked their butts off and put Tinley Park back on the map," Johnston said. "They set the stage for the younger kids. They know what they have to do, beginning in the offseason workouts, to be successful next year."

The Titans figure to return a solid core, led by quarterback Kyle Sheridan, offensive linemen Emile Jordan, Joseph Byrne and Zackary Webster, wide receiver Eldridge Anderson, defensive lineman Mike McCullough, and linebackers Chance Degnegaard and Jake Berndt.

Replacing running back Hassan Abdullah and linebacker Marcus Maas will be tough tasks.

"This was a special group of seniors," Johnston said.

Fill-in time at Sandburg

Sandburg coach Dave Wierzal has his work cut out to replace the gaping holes at various spots in the lineup.

Tops among them, quarterback Cody Miller, receivers Tres Oliver and Javonte Keys, and running backs Jermell Harris, Brandon Lopez and Chris Lopez. They provided the Eagles with an unprecedented amount of firepower.

"We have some challenges ahead of us," said Wierzal, whose Eagles fell 21-20 on Friday to Lyons Township in Class 8A. "We're going to have to work hard during the offseason."

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.