Brady helped to put Devils on fast track

It was just another role for the fastest kid on the football team. But is there really a future in blocking extra points?

The master of this little understood trade is Warren High School senior Leonard Brady. He naturally earned attention when he blocked not one but two extra points in that exciting comeback against Stevenson.

Two extra points?

"It's all about getting off the ball," said Brady, who was 1 of 10 players to make all-conference for Warren. "I had a little technique."

Let's be honest, it's not all glory. That ball could come whipping off a kicker's leg and hit someone right in the face.

"Those two at Stevenson, I just took it off the kicker's foot," Brady said. "Sometimes, I would tip them and they would still go in. And sometimes, I just missed."

That speed paid off for Brady all over the field. A sprinter on the Warren track and field team, he carried the ball just 6 times but led the Blue Devils with a 15.7 yards per carry average. He caught just one pass all year but again it was good for 24 yards and the team's best average.

However, his main role was to defend the pass.

"He stepped up in big games," said Warren coach Dave Mohapp. "He was a good cornerback and he had those two blocked extra points against Stevenson which were huge. He'll be a hard guy to replace."

One Fine Year: Mohapp felt the year breezed by. Warren was supposed to be good and the Blue Devils lived up to the billing with a 9-2 mark.

"From top to bottom, I'm really happy with it," Mohapp said. "We had a number of big games. They stayed focused and found ways to win."

Is it safe to say that a number of young folks in the crowd could have had 100-yard rushing days behind the wonderful offensive line?

The excellent blocking was provided by James Poliquin, Jason Freeck, Erik Church, Kyle Chellstorp, Jeff Cernucan, Jose Guevara and Ted Keller.

"It probably was the best offensive line in my time here," Mohapp said. "They had both size and strength."

Fullback Tom Lindal (153-1,308 yards, 18 TDs) didn't waste the opportunity while putting together a splendid sophomore season. Second-leading rusher Mike Liao (618 yards) also will be back next year.

Quarterback Zach Shaw (76-155, 1,230 yards) was saddled with a 103-degree temperature heading into the Schaumburg playoff game. He was the team's starting quarterback for two seasons.

"He was determined to play," Mohapp said. "Zach did a nice job. His best game came against Stevenson."

Leading receiver Ryan Maguire caught 48 passes this fall for 800 yards and 10 TDs to complete a solid three-year varsity career.

"He came up with that non-playoff team," Mohapp said. "You could tell he liked to play. He had a nice year."

The strong Warren defense does have to say good-bye to Brady, Maguire, Aaron Montgomery, Tyreese Woodard, Adam Tussing and Kevin Robinson.

Warren should have no problem competing in the years to come. All four levels combined to go 27-8.

Down on the Farm: Remember Marcus Lewis? That gifted wide receiver who made great plays in a Warren uniform a few years ago? Kendell Harris may be the next Lewis to head up to the varsity. He caught passes from freshman Pat Kenney for that 8-1 sophomore team.

There also are some defensive players on the way up such at Gary Eppinger and Nolan Sordel.

Mohapp is especially excited about the number of true quarterbacks in the program. Patrick Oliver has been waiting his turn.

"He can really run," Mohapp said. "He can move the pocket."

Freshman Mitchell Munda is another possible quarterback of the future.

"We had four quarterbacks in our summer camp," he said. "That's four quarterbacks who all have a chance to develop."