Oswego knows it must shore up its defense

Updated: August 23, 2011 11:58AM

OSWEGO — Despite missing the playoffs for only the third time in the past 25 seasons last year, Oswego’s football team knew how to put points on the board.

Behind quarterback Ryan West, in his second year as the starter, the Panthers averaged 35 points per game in 2010.

The problem certainly wasn’t with the offense. It was the defense that struggled. Oswego allowed 33 points per game and lost all five games it played against winning teams.

“That hurt us last year,” Oswego coach Dave Keely said. “We gave up too many points. I think we’re going to be a very good defensive team. The summer was spent really focused on going back to fundamentals. That’s what the game’s about anyway. We knew what we had coming back offensively. Not that we didn’t spend time working on offense, but we definitely wanted to make sure that if we don’t score, we still have an opportunity to win a ballgame.”

Four tough losses made the fall from a co-champion of the Southwest Prairie Conference in 2009 to a 4-5 campaign in 2010 even tougher. Seven-point losses to Morris and Waubonsie Valley to start the season and six-point setbacks to Plainfield North and Minooka (in Week 9 with a playoff berth on the line) stung.

“That was a pretty empty feeling,” Keely said.

So the defense got to work. Heribert Galindo, Jack Smith and Mickey Stewart return on the defensive line, a year older and stronger. Many of the skill position players that West will utilize offensively, such as leading receiver Jack Kwiatkowski, Elliot McGaughey and Jamaal Richardson, all juniors, will also spend time in the secondary.

The linebackers are young, but Keely said they had a good summer and are ready to go.

“We put in so much more time and effort in the offseason, that’s the difference,” defensive back Jay Bodine said. “I think we’re going to be twice as strong defensively this year. I think that’s how we all feel. Last year is in the back of our minds. We’re not going to let that happen again. We’re going to come out strong from the start and stop that.”

While defensive improvement will be key for the Panthers to get back to the postseason again, all eyes are on West under center. Entering his third year as the starter, he has a plethora of weapons at his disposal. In addition to Kwiatkowski, Josh Mapolo and Parker Meek return on the outside this fall.

McGaughey, a star of the basketball team, will add depth, as well as Richardson. Brett Wainwright moves to a hybrid offensive role after quarterbacking the sophomore team last year. Mickeel Stewart returns in the backfield and Alain Dixon is the fastest player on the team and will have a role.

“Ryan just keeps developing, that’s the positive thing,” Keely said. “He’s developed into a student of the game. He’s a year older, more mature. He plays within himself, doesn’t try to force things. He gives us a couple more options than last year because he’s more confident in himself. All that does is bring everybody else’s game up another level.”

That said, the Panthers know that if they can’t stop anybody, there could be a repeat of games like last year’s wild, 61-53 win over Romeoville.

“Defense is what’s going to win you the big ballgames, the championship ballgames,” Keely said.

Oswego Panthers

Coach: Dave Keely

2010 record: 4-5

Key returners: Jay Bodine (Sr., DB); Heribert Galindo, (Sr., DL); Kent Koulback (Sr., C); Jack Kwiatkowski (Jr., WR/S); John Malatia, (Jr.,RT); Josh Mapalo (Sr.,WR); Parker Meek (Sr., WR); Nick O’Bradovic (Sr.,LG); Ryan Polito (Sr.,OL); Jack Smith (Sr.,DL); Jordan Smith (Jr., LT); Mickeel Stewart (Jr., RB); Mickey Stewart (Sr.,DL); Ryan West (Sr.,QB).

Top newcomers: Zach Delmore (Sr.,OL); Alain Dixon (Jr.,RB); Elliot McGaughey (Jr., WR/FS); Jamaal Richardson (Jr.,WR/CB); Andy Salazar (Jr., OL); Brett Wainwright (Jr., RB/WR).

Outlook: The Panthers missed the playoffs for only the third time in the past 25 years, and four losses by seven points or less were the main culprit. While West, a three-year starter at quarterback, and the offense posted 35 points per game, the Panthers allowed 33 per game. West and the offense should be even more prolific this season, but the defense will be the key to getting the Panthers back near the top of the Southwest Prairie and back into the postseason.

Schedule

Aug. 26 Marian 7 p.m.

Sept. 2 at Waubonsie Valley 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 9 at Romeoville 7 p.m.

Sept. 16 Oswego East 7 p.m.

Sept. 23 Plainfield East 7 p.m.

Sept. 30 at Plainfield North 7 p.m.

Oct. 7 Plainfield South 7 p.m.

Oct. 14 at Plainfield Central 7 p.m.

Oct. 21 Minooka 7 p.m.

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