Two-headed monster
With the departature of Dan Hopp to graduation, a bulk of the rushing load from a year ago is gone. But that loss of production should be filled by a pair of seniors, Kidd and Sterling. Sterling is 5-foot-11, 200 pounds while Kidd checks in at 6-1, 195. Each back is strong and quick and both will be counted on heavily as the Hornets look to control the ball on the ground as they work in a new quarterback.
“Both kids can scoot,” Bitto said. “They are high-school fast. Both of these kids can play at the next level. They have size and speed and they have bigger kids up front blocking for them. Hopefully we will have a consistent running game.”


Out of the gate
Coming off a disappointing 2007 campaign, the Hornets are eager to get off to a quick start this fall. It won’t be easy as Hinsdale South opens up with Rolling Meadows, a team that beat the Hornets 41-0 last season and has a combined 18-5 record over the past two campaigns. Home matchups with Proviso East and Leyden follow with the squad looking to avenge a 27-14 loss to the Eagles a year ago. With reaching the playoffs the distinct goal for the Hornets, going at least 2-1 over the first three weeks would be a huge boost for the team’s fortunes.
“The first game is super important because it prepares you for the season,” Bitto said.

Wet behind the ears
With last year’s starting quarterback Gary Mayberry now playing baseball in college, the Hornets will have a new look under center this fall. Christensen, a 6-2, 205-pound senior is expected to get the first shot with Miller, a 5-8, 160-pound junior waiting in the wings. Running a ball-controll offense that concentrates mostly on the run, the quarterback will be expected to limit turnovers while completing the occasional pass to move the chains. Either signal called should benefit from an improved offensive line that features 6-3, 290-pound DeKing and 6-3, 270-pound Kuhlman.
“I am anticipating Rob getting the nod with his experience,” Bitto said.

Shoring up the D
A year ago, the Hornets had their share of struggles on the defensive side of the ball, yielding 283 points to the opposition in nine games. On four different occasions, Hinsdale South gave up more than 40 points in a contest with Hinsdale Central notching a season-high 51 points in Week 4. Look for that trend to be reversed this fall as the Hornets on paper look to have a strong unit. Linebacker O’Shea spearheads the defense while Folkerts will help out from an outside linebacker position. Sterling will play safety while 6-2, 300-pound White will plug the holes from his nose tackle position. A wild card could be 6-6 Williams, an outside linebacker that could be a force to be reckoned with in 2008.

AT A GLANCE
Nickname Hornets
Colors Black and Gold
Stadium 7401 Clarendon Hills Road, Darien
Enrollment 1836
Class 7A
Coach Alex Bitto (2nd year)
Last year’s overall record 3-6
Conference 2-4, 5th

Top returners
Darrin Kidd    sr.    RB
Jonathan Sterling    sr.    RB
Rob Folkerts    sr.    WR/OLB
Dane DeKing    jr.    OL/DL
Cody Kuhlman    jr.    OL/DL
James O’Shea    sr.    LB
Rob Christensen    sr.    QB

Promising newcomers
Joe Van Horn    jr.    OL/DL
Frank Jones    jr.    LB
Karl Ploger    jr.    WR/K
Antonio Williams    sr. LB
Jaleel White    jr.    NT
Kevin Miller    jr.    QB

Season schedule
Aug. 29    at Rolling Meadows    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 5    Proviso Wet    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 12    Leyden    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 19    at Hinsdale Central    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27    at Morton    1:30 p.m.
Oct. 3    Downers Grove South    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 10    at Willowbrook    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 17    Proviso East    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 24    at Addison Trail    7:30 p.m.

Games to watch
Aug. 29 at Rolling Meadows Coming off a down year, Hornets looking to get off to fast start against a Rolling Meadows squad that was 9-2 last fall
Sept. 19 at Hinsdale Central Hornets hoping to rebound from a 51-3 loss in this rivalry game last year
Oct. 3 vs. Downers South This could provide a measuring stick for the Hornets against perennial league favorites

5-year trend
        overall        conference        playoffs
‘07        3-6                2-4   
‘06        3-6                3-3   
‘05        10-2            6-0            Quarter
‘04        7-4                4-2            2nd Rd.
‘03        7-4                5-1            2st Rd.


SENIOR SAYS
Jonathan Sterling
What is the mindset of the team after going 3-6 last fall?
“We are not looking at the past. The past is the past. We want to move on. We have a lot of talent and we are just trying to jell together as a team and compete as hard as we can.”

Is reaching the playoffs a legitimate possibility?
“I definitely think that is something that is attainable. We have so many returning starters and also some new talent. We know we had a bad season last year but coming into this season we are confident. We think we can make it to the playoffs.”

How would you characterize the effort of the team in the offseason?
“It wasn’t just that we were working hard. That was important but also about how many guys showed up. It created that great atmosphere that any team needs and also established team camaraderie. We had guys that stepped up and became leaders in the weightroom and that carries over to the field.”

Would you say the team has a chip on its shoulder heading into the season opener?
“We are not cocky but we have something to prove. We know we are the underdogs and we like that. There are no excuses. We don’t want to accept anything less than six wins because we know we can do that. We do have a chip on our shoulder and we want to carry that throughout the season and hopefully we do good.”

What should we expect from the running back duo of Darrin Kidd and yourself?
“I think it will be very exciting. I think that both Darrin and I are pretty good backs and we have a great offensive line in front of us. It should create a lot of matchups for the defense. We can’t wait to get in there together and do what we can.”

BY THE NUMBERS
24 The Hornets return 24 varsity lettermen to the gridiron this fall after bringing back just eight in 2007
560 Combined weight of Cody Kuhlman and Dane DeKing, a pair of juniors on the offensive line who are expected to open holes for the rushing attack
10.3 Yards Darrin Kidd averaged per carry as the No. 2 running back last season