Shamrocks ready to Kick-off 2009 season
August 21, 2009

The 2009 Saint Patrick Shamrocks are determined to earn their way back into the thin air atop the East Suburban Catholic Conference and secure a second consecutive bid in the IHSA Class 8A State Playoffs. A group of 16 returning seniors who either started or played significant minutes last season will lead the charge as the Shamrocks face a challenging schedule including six opponents who qualified for the IHSA State Playoffs last season. Entering his ninth season at Saint Patrick, Head Coach Dan Galante feels that this team has the potential to build on last season's 6-4 record and state playoff berth. "We want to get this program back to the upper echelon of the conference,” said Galante. “If we perform well in our conference, we will be ready for the playoffs."

Last season, the Shamrock’s defense was key to their 4-0 start enabling the team to shut out St. Viator and hold Proviso East, New Trier and Notre Dame to an average of 13.3 points per game. Several defensive returnees from that strong defense are capable of once again making big plays including linebackers Kevin Felke and Tom Mockler, and linemen Sam Legg and Tom Vitzileos. As juniors, Felke recorded 49 tackles, including six tackles for loss, while Mockler racked up 26 tackles, two tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. These two will be joined by Joey Johnsen to fill out the linebacking corps. Last season, Legg piled up a team-high five sacks among his 37 tackles and ten tackles for loss. Vitzileos tallied 29 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and four sacks. They will be accompanied on the defensive line by Rich Rategan, Chris Hain, Bill Ruehlmann, Cooper Kerins, Sean McLoughlin and Pat Quinn. Sean Timothy and Kevin Larsen, each of whom broke up four passes last year, return to head up a talented and athletic secondary featuring Patrick Nelson, Ruben Ibarra, Matt Dawson, Matt Forrest, Christian Crocker, Ryan Rosetti, Joe Wasz and Leon Joseph.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Shamrocks should be more comfortable in their second year of running the flexbone offense. Tom Soprych and Steve Eifrid take over as co-offensive coordinators. Their extensive experience and infectious enthusiasm is expected to help take the offense to the next level. With a number of talented offensive players with big play potential, the Shamrocks will be capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. Nelson, who averaged 5.3 yards per carry while rushing for 205 yards as well as catching six passes for 114 yards, leads the Shamrock playmakers. During the 2008 season, Dawson ran for 86 yards and a pair of touchdowns, Ibarra rushed for 76 yards, and junior Shadale Mandeldove carried for 118 yards and a touchdown in limited time. Wings Andrew Lapezo and speedster Justin Kohn will round out the offensive backfield. Quarterback Victor Balundis is a fine leader and manages the game well, making good decisions with the football. He will throw to a receiving corp featuring Tim Pennino, who caught five balls for 70 yards and made many key blocks on the perimeter. Senior Brendan Oates, senior John Norton and some talented juniors will join Pennino. The offensive line is comprised of an experienced group of seniors: Sean Mayerbock, Mark Verrilli, Nick Maros, Ryan Heidkamp, Chris Csongradi, Nick Schoenbeck, Mike Gonzalez, Frank Goetz, and tight ends Mockler and Hain. Mockler and Hain spearheaded the 2008 offensive attack including two 300-yard rushing games.

Versatile and experienced Ruehlmann, who handled all of the kicking duties last year, returns for the Shamrocks. The punter averaged 35.3 yards per punt and pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line 11 times on 52 punts. As a placekicker, Ruehlmann converted 19 of 20 extra points and made one field goal. His 22 points were good for third in team scoring in 2008.