NEW-LOOK OFFENSE
Hopefully the wave of injuries has passed, but interesting times continue on offense. Returning linebacker Sheppard, who has never quarterbacked before, is challenging junior Pat Daly for the starting job.

Tokarski and Jones will be the top backs, with Joe Claver, Benton and Jon Galligan at receiver. Tokarski excelled as the Trojans’ top rusher in a loss at Hinsdale Central before being injured late in that game, but is back at full speed.

Benton shifts to receiver after being one of four quarterbacks to appear for the 2007 Trojans.

SIZING UP THE LINE
Downers North’s line will use quickness instead of size to try and make things happen. Of projected starters Barbato, Wagner, Poole, Steve Seitz and Jake Thygesen only one weighs over 200 pounds.

“They’re small but very competitive,” Wander said of his offensive line. “And on the defensive side they’re all 190 to 200 pounds, which is a scary thing playing in the West Suburban Conference. That’s one reason we stay with option football.”

One of the starting defensive ends is sophomore Connor Edwards, whose older brother Garrett starred at quarterback for the Trojans’ 2004 state championship team.


DEFENSE NEVER RESTS
Despite a 2-7 record last year, Downers North allowed barely 11 points per game while facing six playoff qualifiers.

An excellent secondary returns led by Diaz, Valdez and safety Tokarski, and linebacker Sheppard and defensive tackle Mussatto are proven talents closer to the line.

“I’m really high on our two cornerbacks,” Wander said. “Marco Diaz had five interceptions for us last year, and Mike Valdez got some playing time last year. Right now they’re playing very good football. And (linebacker) Dan Sheppard and Joe Tokarski are both three-year starters.

“What we did last year was not allow the big play, and that’s always the focus. Make a team go 80 (yards) and we’ll have a shot.”

HURT TOO MUCH TO LAUGH
Downers North’s injury luck has to improve, and Wander can only look back on the 2007 woes in disbelief.
“We lost our quarterbacks, running backs, our defensive tackle — we’d be practicing and someone would turn their knee on the field and we weren’t even running a drill. It became like walking on egg shells. That never happened before and let’s hope it never happens again.”

In the quarterback race, Wander’s first option would be to have Sheppard focus strictly on his key linebacker role, although the senior is expected to start the opener against Prospect.

Whoever gets the majority of playing time, the Trojans will have a newcomer taking snaps.

“We cannot beat ourselves,” Wander added about the Trojans’ keys to 2008. “We want to get the ball into Tokarski and Jones’ hands and not make mistakes.”