Seneca may have chance to smile

Updated: August 24, 2011 7:50PM

Ryan Reade’s Seneca football program contains just nine seniors, but that doesn’t alter his team’s goals. The Irish have increased their win total in each of the last three seasons. Another bump would put them at five wins and in line for a playoff berth.

“We had a few chances last year to get that fifth win and get into the playoffs, but for what we had numbers-wise, we really competed week in and week out,” Reade said. “We have 86 kids out, which is the highest number we’ve had in a long time. We only have nine seniors who are out participating. It bodes well for our program as a whole, but we’re not going to use that as an excuse for this season. We’re excited about our young kids and the seniors can play.”

Of Seneca’s five losses last season, a one-pointer to Reed-Custer has weighed on the Irish the longest. But it hasn’t seemed to slow their momentum, as far as Reade is concerned.

“We’re going to keep it going,” Reade said. “We feel we have more depth this year. It all depends how fast we grow up. We feel like we have the kids to get the job done, we just have to make sure we coach them up and get them some experience real quick.”

Running back and defensive line figures to be strengths. Reade is counting on his strong defensive line to ease the growing pains for a young secondary and linebacking corps.

Nate Cagle returns for his senior campaign. In his two years on varsity, Cagle averaged 9 yards per carry while totaling more than 1,800 yards.

“Nate has really been a great player since his sophomore year,” Reade said. “He wants to get to 3,000 yards for his career. We have to set him up and put him in the right position. If we can put him in the right spots as coaches and teammates, we have full confidence that he’ll get the job done.”

Reade’s group will need to grow up early if the playoffs are in the Seneca’s plans this season.

“We’ll find out real quick where we stand with Coal City and Plano the first two weeks,” he said. “We will get better as the season goes on, there’s not doubt about that. We’re going to compete. Our goal is to make the playoffs.

“Now I can’t guarantee that will happen, but I know that they’ll have opportunities to win games and if they keep the attitude and mentality they had during the summer, then they’ll represent the school and community real well.”

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