As with a lot of things in life, consistency is all about routine.
For Benet, that’s how its 2015 season could eventually be defined.
“The playbook hasn’t really changed,” Benet coach Pat New said. “We might throw the ball a little bit more than we did last year, but as far as new stuff—we’re really kind of chugging along here. It’s nice to have consistency in the offense every year.”
The return of quarterback Jack Sznajder for his second year under center is reason enough not to mess around too much.
Thrown into starting as a sophomore because of Western Illinois-bound Jack Beneventi’s transfer to Fenwick prior to last season, Jack Sznajder performed admirably.
In 10 games, Jack Sznajder completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,234 yards to go with six touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
“It’s really nice to have a returning starter,” New said of Jack Sznajder. “He’s got 10 games under his belt and I can just see (the difference). I can see it. Physically, you can see it and then you can see it just in his demeanor and the way he approaches the game because he’s really playing with a lot of confidence. That’s a nice thing to have.”
Targets like Karl Schmidt and Robert Bordignon, who has returned to Benet after spending last year at Montini, should help Jack Sznajder’s growth.
Schmidt had 23 receptions for 260 yards and a TD in 2014 and Will O’Grady and Matt Tromp will join Schmidt and Bordignon in the receiver group.
Junior Marty Dosen will be given every opportunity to take over for Jack’s older brother, Brad, at running back.
Now off to Butler, Brad Sznajder’s 1,583 yards and 14 touchdowns was a big reason for the Redwings’ 6-4 season a year ago.
“I think they’re built very similar,” New said of Dosen and Brad Sznajder. “Marty is a different running back. They all bring different traits. Brad’s greatest quality was his ability to just find his holes and find his daylight. He was very patient. Marty’s a little bit quicker, in terms of his decision making; not in terms of just overall quickness, but just in terms of the way he runs. … He’s great out on the perimeter. You get him the ball, he’s really got some nice moves.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever coach a running back with as good of moves as Brad, but Marty’s explosive. He can run. He’s got some nice moves, so we’re looking forward to seeing him play.”
While Jack Sznajder, Dosen and Schmidt will help lead the Benet offense, there’s no question on the other side of the ball who’ll be taking charge.
After recording 97 tackles, senior middle linebacker Charlie Weidenbach returns to lead Tim Cederblad’s defensive unit.
“He’s kind of the heart and soul of the D,” New said of Weidenbach, who had 1.5 sacks and eight TFLs.
Weidenbach, Jeff Marek and Ryan Liszka gives Cederblad three good linebackers to work with.
New readily admits the defense has some questions to answer on the back end, a development that could determine one way or the other how the 2015 season plays out.
Mac Cooney’s 60 tackles and four interceptions are gone from the secondary, so cornerback Michael Sotir and safety Alec McEachern will be asked to step into help shape the Redwings’ secondary.
“Defensively, we’ve got some youngsters playing,” New said. “So really, for us, it comes down to some factors. Our offensive line has to develop and then our defensive backs have to develop. Those are the two areas that I’m most concerned about. If we get guys stepping up in those two spots and play well, then we have an opportunity, we have a chance to be good.”
The rugged competition the East Suburban Catholic Conference provides is a challenge in of itself.
The presence of Joliet Catholic and Nazareth, the defending Class 6A state champions, gives the Redwings reason enough to pause when thinking about a fifth postseason trip in six years.
“I think we could be a better team and not have as good a record as last year,” New said, “just because of our competition, our schedule is so tough. It’s one of those things. I’m looking forward to having a great season, but I’m always worried about our schedule.”
