Beat goes on for Lincoln-Way East

Updated: July 6, 2011 1:21PM

Football coaches preach consistency. Obviously at Lincoln-Way East, the players have listened.

The Griffins began their program 11 years ago with the initial split of high schools in the Lincoln-Way district. Coach Rob Zvonar has coached the football team all 11 years and, without fail, the Griffins have qualified for the state playoffs. They won the 8A title in 2005 with a perfect 14-0 record.

The consistency shows in the win column. Lincoln-Way East has won nine or more games in each of the last seven seasons and in eight of the 11 years of the school’s existence. The Griffins also have claimed or shared the title in the rugged SouthWest Suburban Blue six times in the last nine years.

East is coming off a 9-2 season that ended with a loss to Glenbard West in the second round of the playoffs. The bad news for the rest of the SWSC Blue is that the Griffins welcome back many key returning players.

“We have a lot of guys back,” Zvonar said during a break at the 7-on-7 Passing Jamboree hosted by University of St. Francis last month. “What’s good about it is that we have some guys back in all areas of the field.

“One of the nice things about having returning starters is that it helps to reduce the learning curve. Those veteran players can play hard and improve and not have to be completely concerned with learning a new position or new techniques. They can concentrate on being leaders and help our younger players grow on the field.”

That list of returnees on offense includes last year’s starting quarterback Blake Winkler, 2010’s second-leading rusher Tyler Starke and top receiver J.J. Robertson. All three are seniors.

Winkler enjoyed an outstanding junior season in his first year as the varsity starter. He completed a shade less than 70 percent of his passes for 1,773 yards and 20 touchdowns. Stark rushed for just under 500 yards and six touchdowns and accounted for only eight yards less than leading rusher Max Bayer. Robertson led the team with 25 catches, 567 receiving yards and seven scoring receptions.

The offensive line welcomes back key returnees in seniors Al Hern, Frank Toland, Josh Bottoms and Dan Patteson. While none were full-time starters a year ago, all were key contributors.

Senior starting defensive tackle Matt Solner heads the list of returnees up front. Seniors Kevin Bayer and Joel Magrum saw significant playing time in 2010 and will be counted on for big contributions this fall.

Senior linebacker Jake Aleck is back after starting as a junior. Senior defensive backs Kevin Slawkowski and Joe Tomasik are the top returning players in the secondary.

“We really have a lot of experience back on defense and that always gives me a good feeling,” Zvonar said. “We take a lot of pride in our defense and with a veteran group I look for good things from those young men this season.

“We’ve had some good workouts this summer, but we have a long way to go before we play our first game. The hard work started last winter in the weight room, continued through our summer camp and now in our participation in these 7-on-7s.”

The season starts with a game against Edwardsville at Illinois State University before the Griffins have their home opener against Dunbar.

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