SouthtownStar football notebook

Updated: March 22, 2011 4:16PM

Shepard coach Dominic Passolano knows emotions will be sky-high Friday when his Astros travel to Richards in a South Suburban Red battle.

Many of the players know each other from growing up in Robbins and Calumet Park or have competed against one another during their youth football days.

Beyond bragging rights, there's a lot of pride at stake.

"The kids all know each other and they want to do well," Passolano said. "Richards and Shepard is a lot like Michigan and Ohio State.

It doesn't matter what the teams records are. Emotions will be high."

The Astros enter the contest at 2-1, their only loss by a 30-0 count to tradition-rich Hubbard. Passolano is hoping that defeat will pay dividends the rest of the season.

"We could have scheduled a lesser opponent and won that game easily," Passolano said. "But what's that going to do? Yeah, it might help you make the playoffs but then you're probably going to get your head kicked around in the first round of the playoffs. The kids wanted to play a meaningful opponent and that's what Hubbard is. I think we learned a lot from that game. You have to look at the big picture."

Evergreen Park perfect

There were strong whispers during the preseason that Evergreen Park was a team on the rise. At 3-0, the Mustangs definitely are a team gaining respect.

Coach Mike Barry, in his third year, has the Mustangs playing their best ball in years. The team has qualified for the postseason just once in the past eight seasons.

"A bunch of people around school were coming up to me and saying they can't remember the last time were undefeated after three games," Barry said. "We don't want it to stop. We want to continue to win games."

Running back Victor Baker has been a major contributor to the Mustangs' perfect start. The junior has registered back-to-back 200-yard games, as well as seven TDs.

"Victor is a real competitor," Barry said. "He can't stand to lose and is a real tough kid."

Barry also praised the offensive line, as well as quarterback Alex Ortiz and wide receiver T.J. Cobbs.

"We run an option attack and Alex has been making the right decisions," Barry said. "T.J. is a little banged up but has played well."

Defensively, ends Jake Lordo and Frezante Geiger, linebacker Jeff Fredricks and the secondary of D.C. Chothen, Niko Garcia, Jared Jackson and Chris Cheatham have stood out.

Wolfe comes through

It's a benefit to know people in high places. Eisenhower coach Travis Moore and Bears running back Garrett Wolfe were teammates at Northern Illinois University. Wolfe recently hooked the Cardinals up with brand new Reebok cleats.

"He called me one day and asked for some shoe sizes of my players," Moore said. "A few days later, a bunch of brand new NFL style spikes were sent to the school for the kids. It was really nice of him (Wolfe). He didn't have to do that, but our kids are very appreciative."

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