TEAM AT A GLANCE
Nickname Red Devils
Colors Red and white
Stadium Harvey Dickinson Field, 55th and Madison streets, Hinsdale
Enrollment 2,635
Class 8A
Coach Mike DiMatteo (3rd year, 20-13)
2007 record 7-4
Conference 4-2, 3rd

Top returners
John Whitelaw    jr.    QB
Pat Clegg    sr.    DT
Rich Zajeski    sr.    RB

Eric Alexander    sr.    RB
Jack Curatolo    sr.    G
Jim Kallas    jr.    G
Allan Cameron    sr.    DE
Brendan Sullivan    sr.    LB
Mike Owens    sr.    DE
Davis Kalsbeek    sr. WR
Garrett Kawa    sr.    LB
Collin Watkins    sr.    OT
Sean O’Grady    sr.    DB

Promising newcomers
Jack Allen    so.    C
Ryan Cassin    jr.    LB
Mike Kaessler    so.    LB
Jake Knowles    so.    LB


Season schedule
Aug. 29    Wheaton South    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 5    at Morton    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 12    at Lyons Township    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 19    Hinsdale South    7:30 p.m.
Sept. 26    Oak Park    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 3    at Downers North    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11    York    1:30 p.m.
Oct. 17    at Proviso West    7:30 p.m.
Oct. 24    Glenbard West    7:30 p.m.
           
Games to watch
Aug. 29 vs. Wheaton South Red Devils hung tough at Wheaton South last year in John Whitelaw’s varsity debut, and would be off and running with a home win this time over the defending Class 8A runners-up
Sept. 12 at Lyons Township First of two back-to-back big rivalry games, this one to open conference as the Red Devils face the first test in their hopes of grabbing the Silver title

Defenses beware
Quarterback John Whitelaw proved even as a sophomore newcomer that he can run for big yardage or pick teams apart with his passing.

Expect even better things now that he’s a junior, and the running back corps includes Zajeski (161 yards, 5.6 per carry while also seeing time defensively) and Alexander (213 yards, 5.5 a carry), who emerged as the leading rusher in two of the Red Devils’ last three regular-season games.

Davis Kalsbeek (17 catches, 246 yards) and Mick Culligan (five catches) lead a deep receiving corps that also features Alex Kirk, who caught a touchdown pass in his varsity debut last year after being brought up from the sophomore team.


Protection providers
Hinsdale Central’s offensive line provided great protection for Whitelaw during his effective improvisations last year, and you can expect more of the same.

Curatolo (6-foot, 245 pounds) enters his third season as a varsity starter at guard, with returnees Watkins and Kallas (a starter as a sophomore) joining newcomers Allen and David Kiyosaki.

“We’re not big but we’re very skilled,” DiMatteo said, “and a year of running this offense makes a world of difference.”

A sophomore who will start at center, Allen wrestled at 215 pounds for the Red Devils’ varsity last winter and is the nephew of former Hinsdale Central star defensive lineman and assistant coach Jim Zajicek.
 

Everything’s in line
Opposing offenses won’t find the challenge presented up front by the Red Devils any easier.

Third-year starter Pat Clegg dominates at nose guard (44 tackles, six quarterback sacks last year), and Allan Cameron (32 tackles, four for losses plus two fumble recoveries) and Mike Owens (44 tackles, 4-1/2 sacks) excel alongside Clegg at defensive end. Middle linebacker Brendan Sullivan (61 tackles, third on the team last year) anchors the next line of defense.

“We’re young at the linebacker spot, which could be a problem when you’re playing a 3-5 (five linebacker set) like we are,” DiMatteo said, “but they’re athletic and physical and the defensive linemen we have back will help take off some pressure.”

Character, high hopes

Third-year coach DiMatteo exudes the same class win or lose, and his players’ dedication to making 2008 a huge success is backed by similar traits.

“We have great kids, nice people, and that makes my job really fun,” he said. “They want to be good and don’t just go through the motions. We have a good chance to be in the (title) mix not only in conference but in the state playoffs. Everyone is talking about schools like Maine South and Mount Carmel as the best teams, and I think we have the potential to be in that group of teams right with them if we stay injury free.”