Football: Lemont has a few holes to fill

Updated: November 22, 2011 6:37PM

It was a tough end to a magnificent season for Lemont.

Who could have ever imagined Lemont, which registered six shutouts, scoring 31 points and not recording the win?

That’s precisely what happened Saturday as the Indians dropped a 34-31 double-overtime decision to Peoria Richwoods in a Class 6A semfinal.

While the loss was disappointing, it can’t diminish all the Indians accomplished. Namely, winning 12 consecutive games and the South Suburban Blue title.

“We met most of our goals,” Lemont coach Eric Michaelsen said. “This was a tremendous senior class.”

The Indians will take a pretty hard hit on defense. The entire line of Arnas Laurinaitis, Sebastian Koziel and John Tomala graduates, as do linebackers Brad Uher, Vince Letizia and Kyle Krull.

Four of five secondary personnel return. The only departure is senior Tommy Kunkel. Jake Lemming, Jake Lawrence, Matt Luzzo and Connor O’Brien will be back.

Offensively, running back Mike Anzalone, quarterback Damon Aleman and wide receiver Tyler Jay will be difficult to replace. Anzalone topped 1,600 yards rushing and had 20 touchdowns.

Aleman emerged from a four-man battle in the summer and provided a reliable passing attack.

“Mike had a great season for us,” Michaelsen said. “He carried the ball 39 times Saturday. Damon made the right decisions and managed the game extremely well.”

The losses will be eased by the return of 6-foot-6, 285-pound Ethan Pocic, 6-2, 265-pound Tim McAuliffe and 6-foot, 260-pound Nick Runnfeldt on the O-line. Pocic, whose brother Graham is the starting center at Illinois, has been offered scholarships by Notre Dame and Northwestern, among a bevy of others.

It’s likely Chris Giatras will try to fill Anzalone’s shoes in the backfield.

St. Rita looks
to pick up the pieces

St. Rita, which dropped a 21-14 Class 7A semifinal decision to Wheaton-Warrenville South on Saturday, is losing considerable star power.

However, a bunch of juniors, led by O-linemen Alex Zaleski, Troy Johnson and Kevin Pergande return, as does running back Tim Lombard. Defensive linemen Brendan Galbraith and Chuck Haas and defensive back Jack Sears also return.

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