That's because for all the pride there is in athletics on the corner of Elm and Locust streets in Elgin, there hasn't been a whole lot of success on the football field named for Greg True over the years. Let's face it, 12 winning seasons in 65 years of varsity football and a .333 all-time winning percentage does not qualify one for juggernaut status. Heck, only one time in those 65 years has the program had an unbeaten season, that when the Green Wave went 6-0-1 under True in 1960, long before the IHSA sponsored football playoffs. What some feel was St. Edward's best team ever, the 8-1 Tim McVey bunch of 1978 didn't even make the playoffs because in 1978 there were five classes and you had to be more than just good to get into the postseason.

Neither of the Green Wave's two playoff teams, not John Pergi's in 1983 nor Rich Sanders' 20 years later, won their first-round playoff games.

No, football and St. Edward are not two things commonly confused with equaling success.

But Mike Rolando is leading the charge to change all that.

Now in his fifth season as St. Edward's head coach, the 1991 Larkin graduate has resurrected a program that has not had an above .500 season since Jim Hoffman went 5-4 in 1994, long before the IHSA invited 5-4 teams to the postseason party unless they won a conference championship. Sanders' 2003 team finished 5-5.

Enter the 2009 Green Wave, a solid 6-3 team that will travel to Mendota Saturday afternoon for the first round of the Class 4A playoffs. From 0-9, 0-9, 1-8 and 4-5 to 6-3 and a playoff berth in five years. Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day, right?

"It's uncharted territory for us," Rolando said earlier this week. "It's a pretty cool time. The boys are excited for the opportunity to do something special. It's been a great season but now we're excited for the opportunity in front of us. Once we got on the practice field this week it was business as usual. We're going against an unknown. After being on Cloud 9 and getting that sixth win and that being so special, now we've shifted back and we're working hard."

But, boy, that sixth win sure didn't come easy. After a 5-1 start, the Wave needed just one win its final 3 games - all home games -to etch its place in the 256-team playoff field. First up was Aurora Christian. Tough 23-18 loss. Then Marian Central came to town. Ouch, a 48-7 whoopin'.

"Aurora Christian was just a tough game but then we came out flat against Marian and we weren't expecting that," said Rolando, who led the 1990 Larkin team to a state quarterfinal appearance before the Royals lost 49-42 to East St. Louis in one of the best high school football games ever played in Elgin.

"We just didn't show up to play and that was discouraging," Rolando said of the Marian Central loss. "It put our backs against the wall. But the kids knew if they didn't back down we could beat Wheaton Academy."

They had to. With a paltry 30 playoff points heading into Week 9, everyone in Green Wave Nation knew they weren't goin' dancin' at 5-4.

And with a little over 2 minutes to go in that Week 9 game last Friday, they were getting ready to ring the bell. But wait. Wheaton Academy erased a 12-point St. Edward lead quicker than you could yell "Playoffs!!!" and suddenly, with less than 30 seconds to play, the game was tied and St. Edward's postseason was in jeopardy. Then, boom, senior David Hoebbel ran back a kick 79 yards for a touchdown, the final seconds ticked away and the party was on.

"In the huddle before the kickoff we talked about making something happen," Hoebbel said this week. "We knew time was running out and we wanted to make something happen. We got more than we thought. There was relief and it felt good."

Worried? Who was worried?

"I had full confidence we were going to pull it out," said senior lineman Shane Finnane, who has been a varsity player for four years. "We wanted it real bad."

Rolando, who played his college football at Valparaiso, points to two key plays before Hoebbel's TD as being equally as important in the biggest win at Greg True in, well, a long time.

"Luckily our special teams came up big and blocked two extra points," he said. "It was quite the roller coaster game. The kids' backs were against the wall and they responded."

Finnane more than any single player can remember well when things weren't so exciting around St. Edward.

"It's been four tough years," he said. "The 0-9s, getting beat up. But then we stepped it up last year and this year has been amazing. We've never gone to the playoffs. It felt good to be on the field (this week)."

What's behind the evolution of the program is no question to the 6-foot, 240-pound Finnane, who would love to play college football at Indiana or Colorado.

"The first thing is the coaching," he said. "They've been with this senior class since we were in seventh grade. They know us. They've taught us how to be football players and how to be men. The most important thing they've taught us is heart. No matter how you play, just bring the heart."

Rolando, who has also taken the St. Edward softball program to new heights the last two years, has no intention of this being a one-year thing. The Green Wave's sophomore team was 9-0 this season, and the Crusader feeder teams claimed Super Bowl championships at the middleweight and heavyweight levels last weekend.

"This is not just a flash in the pan," Rolando declared. "We played solid football last year, we added a nice junior class this year and we did more offensively. But it's not just one great class. We only brought one sophomore (Evan Finnane) up this year and our sophomores went 9-0. We've got some good freshmen, and the Crusaders won two Super Bowls. We want to sustain this and do it right away."

Rolando is also rightfully proud of the way St. Edward has rebuilt. The program earned the Suburban Christian Gold sportsmanship award this season, something Rolando says tells him that he, his staff and the St. Edward community are doing things the right way.

"We are doing it right and we're doing it with respect," he said. "The other schools and their fans appreciate the way our kids play and the way our fans and student body act. We focus on academics. Our players have mandatory study halls and we give them college exposure. When you build a program that way and sustain it, winning becomes a byproduct and kids want to come play for you."

And win or lose on Saturday or whenever in this postseason, something tells us St. Edward is going to be an easier name to find on the IHSA's football Web site in years to come.

jradtke@dailyherald.com

For St. Edward seniors Shane Finnane and Nathan Gaige, a long varsity football odyssey reaches uncharted territory this weekend.

No two players represent the Green Wave's progression from woebegone program to playoff qualifier more than Finnane and Gaige, who have been through every step of the transition the past four years as varsity starters.

As freshmen, the duo was part of a 2006 team that hardly stood a chance from week to week while finishing 0-9. They helped St. Edward break through and end its 26-game losing streak as sophomores and played a part in leading the Wave toward respectability with a 4-5 finish as juniors.

Now comes the climax of the journey as Finnane and Gaige lead St. Edward into its first postseason game since 2003 on Saturday at Mendota in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs.

"Going 0-9 my freshman year, then 1-8 and then 4-5, I feel like I've been through the whole progression," Finnane said. "Ending my senior year like this is definitely a great thing to do."

The contributions of Finnane and Gaige have been enormous this season as St. Edward matched its highest win total since 1992 with a 6-3 regular season.

The 6-foot, 240-pound Finnane leads the defense with 91 tackles to go along with two sacks. In addition to his middle linebacker duties, he's also helped the Wave offense rack up 236.9 rushing yards per game with his play at left tackle.

Meanwhile, Gaige is second to Finnane with 87 tackles. The 5-11, 205-pounder is also tied for the team lead with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries in his fourth season at outside linebacker.

"(Gaige) is just a great athlete, his motor is always going and he practices hard," St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. "(Finnane) is the strongest kid in the program. For a high school boy, he's got a work ethic like no other."

Rolando is the reason Finnane and Gaige decided to attend St. Edward in the first place. He coached the duo to a championship in 2004 when Finnane and Gaige were seventh-graders with the Crusaders youth football team.

The following year Rolando took over at St. Edward. When it came time for Finnane and Gaige to enroll in high school, the opportunity to play for their former coach outweighed the prospect of enduring a rebuilding project with the Green Wave.

"This group of seniors right now, a couple of us played with these coaches since seventh grade," Finnane said. "They've been like another set of parents for us. They brought us up and made us who we are today.

"(Rolando) is the reason we came to St. Ed. We knew he could turn the program around as fast as he did."

Finnane is in his fourth season as a two-way starter, and Gaige started both ways the previous three years before focusing more on his linebacker duties this fall.

While that service is impressive, it's not exactly ideal to have players three and four years younger than most opponents never leave the field.

Yet that's the reality St. Edward faced when Rolando took over a program that was left in shambles following former coach Rich Sanders' abrupt departure a month before the 2005 season.

"I knew when coach Ro needed guys like me and Shane to play on varsity as freshmen that we weren't going to be that good," Gaige said. "But I knew we were just growing as a program."

That growth is evident now as the Green Wave counts only one sophomore as a regular varsity starter. St. Edward could barely field a sophomore team when Finnane and Gaige arrived, but this year the Wave fielded a full sophomore squad that rolled to a 9-0 record.

"Back in Shane and Nathan's day they were two-way starters as freshmen, but those days are kind of over," Rolando said. "We've got a sustained program where juniors and seniors play varsity with maybe an exceptional sophomore here and there. But for the most part we want to have juniors and seniors on the field."

And therein lies what may be the most lasting legacy Finnane and Gaige will leave behind at St. Edward.

While both players have aspirations to play in college -- Finnane is drawing considerable interest from Army while Gaige has been in contact with NAIA Quincy University -- their sacrifices and hard work have helped create an even brighter future for Green Wave football.

"We don't want to look at this good year as a flash in the pan," Rolando said. "We want to sustain this for the long run."

St. Edward's first postseason bid in six seasons

ELGIN – St. Edward's postseason-clinching sixth win of the season bordered on the surreal on Friday night at a muddy Greg True Field.

After seeing a double-digit lead slip through its grasp in the final two and a half minutes, the Green Wave needed a blocked extra point try and 79-yard kickoff return touchdown to finally knock off Wheaton Academy 34-28, securing the sixth win that had been eluding it the last two weeks and giving the school its first playoff berth since 2003.

» Click to enlarge image

St. Edward's Jon Keokanlaya (36) and (51) Glenn Fortune (51) lead their fellow teammates in celebration after their victory over Wheaton Academy Friday night in Elgin.
(Dave Shields/For The Courier-News)

With 33.1 seconds on the clock and the score knotted at 28, Jack Cholewa blocked Wheaton Academy's ensuing PAT try to keep St. Edward from falling behind. The Warriors kickoff then sailed out of bounds, giving the Green Wave (6-3, 3-2 Suburban Christian Conference Gold Division) the opportunity to take the ball from the 35.

Instead, the coaching staff declined the penalty and had Wheaton Academy (5-4, 3-2) re-kick.

"We saw a lot of clean jerseys on their kickoff team," coach Mike Rolando said. "Worst-case scenario, they onside kick it, we recover it on hopefully a short field or they kick it deep and something good can happen. I asked (special teams) coach (Mike) Childers which way we were going and he said, 'Left. There's a lot of clean jerseys over there.' "

Childers' instincts paid off.

David Hoebbel took the return 79 yards on a criss-crossing run that put the Green Wave ahead 34-28 with 15.7 seconds left.

"We worked so hard," said Hoebbel, who ran for 89 yards on 14 carries. "I had confidence in all of my teammates when we started that play. Coach called a return to the left. I knew as soon as I touched the ball that I was going to score a touchdown."

After a missed extra point try, St. Edward kicked off and three plays later, Nathan Gaige came away with an interception to seal the heart-stopping victory. The turnover was Wheaton Academy's only of the night. St. Edward turned the ball over four times.

"As soon as Nathan caught that ball I went straight into tears," senior lineman Shane Finnane said. "It's been four really, really long years. I've worked hard. Seven in the morning every day in the weight room, just trying to make me and my team better. It finally paid off."

The heavy drama began to unfold just two minutes after Jordan Torres (19 carries, 134 yards) galloped into the end zone to put St. Edward up 28-16. A Wheaton Academy TD reception less than a minute later might have put a little doubt into the final result but a Torres fumble with 1:24 remaining definitely did.

The Warriors completed their miraculous comeback with 33.1 seconds remaining, when Academy's Brian Pell hit Anthony Ritchie for the score to tie the game at 28.

"Anything that could happen on a football field seemed like it was going to happen there," Rolando said. "I think I already forgot the whole first half already. The second half was so stressful. The seniors, the boys, all the players, stepped up and got it done when they had to.

"They never quit. We talked about playing with enthusiasm instead of emotion, because emotion, you can get down when something bad happens. Enthusiasm, you stay up, it's always positive."

With the extra point looming, the Green Wave faithful was in a hysterical panic. But with brutal field conditions crippling both sides' special teams units, the Green Wave kept the score all square at 28. Jack Cholewa became the second St. Edward player of the night to block an extra point.

"It was huge," Rolando said of the block. "(If it's good), then you're in desperation."

What led to the frenzied finish seems pedestrian by comparison. After a Jim Cholewa 35-yard field goal and a 50-yard Torres run, St. Edward led 9-0 with 3:47 left in the first.

A Sam Pozezinski fumble on a punt late in the quarter set up the first of Pell's four touchdown passes, with St. Edward's lead trimmed to 9-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Wheaton Academy capitalized off another St. Edward turnover late in the second, as a Ben Lehman pick led to a Warriors field goal that gave them a 10-9 halftime lead.

St. Edward went ahead 15-10 on its opening drive off the third on a 5-yard Hoebbel run but fell behind again 16-15 with 1:48 left in the quarter.

In what was the biggest play of the game up until that point, the Green Wave went back up with 6:17 left when a newly gloved Zach Von Ahnen made a quick catch up the middle, rambling 69 yards to put St. Edward up 21-16.

"He (went to the sideline and) put his gloves on," Rolando laughed. "I'm like, 'Nothing like giving it away.' We had been pounding the ball. First (Wheaton Academy) is bringing six and then they're bringing eight, then 10. As long as he wasn't getting jammed at the line, we were pretty sure he was going to be open."

Torres' TD run with 2:32 left put the Wave up 28-16, prompting what turned out to be some premature celebrations.

St. Edward was penalized seven times for 55 yards.

ST. EDWARD 34, WHEATON ACADEMY 28

Wheaton Academy       7    3    6    12   --  28

St. Edward                   9    0    6    19   --  34

STED – FG Cholewa 35, 5:11

STED – Torres 50 run (kick failed), 3:47

WA – Libby 30 pass from Pell (Cote kick), 1:07

WA – FG Cote 25, 1:22

STED – Hoebbel 5 run (run failed), 9:14

WA – Johnson 4 pass from Pell (pass failed), 1:48

STED – Von Ahnen 69 pass from Lehman (run failed), 6:17

STED – Torres 15 run (Cholewa kick), 2:32

WA – Ritchie 32 pass from Pell (kick blocked), 1:42

WA – Ritchie 5 pass from Pell (kick blocked), :33

STED – Hoebbel 79 kickoff return (kick failed), :15

Team statistics            WA        STED

First downs                     11            10

Comp.-att-int.              11-25-1     2-5-2

Passing yards                 187            88

Rushing-att-yds.            29-70       39-248

Total yards                     257           336

Fumbles-lost                   0-0           4-2

Penalties-yards               5-43         7-55

Individual statistics

Rushing

WHEATON ACADEMY — Pell 17-34, Libby 10-38, Cote 2-(minus)2.

ST. EDWARD — Torres 19-134, Hoebbel 14-89, Lehman 5-23, Godfrey 1-2.

Passing

WHEATON ACADEMY — Pell 11-25-1 187.

ST. EDWARD — Lehman 2-5-2 88.

Receiving

WHEATON ACADEMY — Ritchie 7-135, Johnson 2-12, Libby 2-40.

ST. EDWARD – Von Ahnen 1-69, Hoebbel 1-19.

Showing off their talents

Finnane, St. Edward teammates gaining attention at combines

Developing a successful high school football program isn't just about those 48 minutes on Friday evening. The results on those fall nights are simply the Point B to the offseason's Point A.

Only a couple of years ago St. Edward High School's football program seemed grounded at Point A and a long way from getting to the desired results of Point B. However, the Green Wave players and staff have made up ground at a rapid pace.

» Click to enlarge image

St. Edward's Shane Finnane (center, white jersey) recently attended his third straight National Underclassmen Combine Ultimate 100 event.

(Submitted)

» Click to enlarge image

Shane Finnane

Within three years, St. Edward went from winless to fighting for a playoff berth in its final few games.

"I didn't know what I was getting myself into," admits coach Mike Rolando, who took over in 2005. "We wouldn't be having this conversation five years ago."

Earlier this month, St. Edward experienced another success as five of its players were invited to the National Underclassmen Combine Ultimate 100 event in Indianapolis.

Senior linebacker Shane Finnane was back at his third NUC Ultimate 100 event and was joined by senior tight end Zack VonAhnen, junior quarterback Ben Lehman, sophomore lineman Evan Finnane and sophomore running back Luke Duffy.

"All five worked hard year round," Rolando said. "They've made the time. They are standouts and this proves that."

As college scouts continue to search for new ways of evaluating talent, combines have taken on a larger role in gaining scholarships. St. Edward has made sure not to be passed up by the recent trend.

"We started to encourage them to lift and we started going to local combines," Rolando said.

"They've gotten stronger. You can see how strong they were compared to before."

Participants for the Ultimate 100 event in Indianapolis were selected from nine states throughout the Midwest. The Finnanes, VonAhnen and Duffy were all selected after showing off their skills at a combine in Libertyville in April. Lehman was picked after competing at a combine in Des Moines, Iowa, in June.

The players are tested in and compete in a variety of drills at the combines, including a 40-yard dash, vertical leap, bench press and other competitions pitting player against player. Each combine ends with individual awards handed out for honors that include Combine King, Camp MVP, Strongest Player and Fastest Player.

Shane and Evan Finnane both picked up the Strongest Player awards in their respective classes at the Libertyville combine, owing much of that to their weight training devotion ingrained in them by their father, Jim.

"My dad was the strength coach for St. Edward," Shane Finnane said. "He started me off and I just started doing it myself. I realized kind of quick (how much it helped). When I was a freshman, I was only benching 115 (pounds) and less than a year later I was benching 225."

Added Rolando: "Shane lifts five days a week. He lifts on Thanksgiving, Christmas. He's the strongest kid in our program."

Back for his third Ultimate 100 combine, the experience hasn't quite become old hat yet for Shane, who expressed a lot of excitement when talking about a rival from last year's combine that is now playing at Rutgers.

"It's just kind of fun to compete with others and from so many schools," Shane Finnane said. "When (my brother or I) take home an award, it's really a sense of pride for St. Edward."

Summer practices and the fact that Shane is now being joined by more and more teammates at the combines have him excited about the start of the high school season, now just over a month away.

"We are already looking better than last year," Shane Finnane said.

Rolando is clearly pleased with the turnaround but knows that improvements can still be made.

"It is a sense of pride to see the things add up," Rolando said. "The (players) see some success and that has motivated the kids. There are more kids lifting and more are interested in the program. We're trying to build it up the right way. (Trying) to change the attitude, change the reputation.

"This year we had five kids going to play in college. The program is heading in the right direction ,but we are not where we need to be yet."

With the season approaching, success at Point B is now a realistic goal.

Football in June? Why not?

Minooka quarterback Mitch Brozovich.
(For the Herald News)

The arrival of the second Saturday in June means many things to many people.

Yes, it’s time to fire up that backyard grill. Yes, it’s time to dip your toes in that glistening neighborhood pool.

And, yes, it’s time to start throwing the football around again.

Football in June? Huh?

Yes, the countdown to the Aug. 28 kickoff for area prep football teams begins on Saturday at the University of St. Francis’ annual 7-on-7 passing jamboree.

Eighteen teams will participate on the first of three consecutive weekends of play at USF’s Pershing Street practice fields.

Games will run from 8-11 a.m. during the first session and from 1-4 p.m. in the second.

The roster of teams playing in the morning reads like a Who’s Who of Area Football: Andrew, Coal City, Joliet Catholic, Lincoln-Way North, Marian Catholic, Minooka, Naperville North, Pontiac, Providence and Wilmington. In the afternoon, the roll call runs the gamut from Dunbar and Harper to Lemont and Lincoln-Way Central, from Morris and Shepard to St. Edward and Stevenson.

Each team, each coach and each and every individual will have a unique agenda and/or a specific goal in mind to accomplish over the course of 21 days of sweltering summer football.

“We started lifting and speed development a week ago,” Minooka coach Bert Kooi said. “This week, we’re in camp. So, it’s double-duty with camp, lifting and speed development. The USF 7-on-7 gives us an opportunity to put some things together in a semi-competitive atmosphere, but under an environment where you’re not truly trying to win. It’s a great teaching tool. You’re seeing different defenses and different personnel packages, things that you don’t get going against yourself every day in practice.”

Kooi’s primary objective will be to get his young quarterbacks repetitions under the fire of a 7-on-7 competition. Mitch Brozovich stepped into the Minooka starting job as a sophomore last fall because of an injury that sidelined Brian Martin. Brozovich completed 31-of-90 passes for 364 yards and gained confidence in himself as he gained his footing.

He suffered a shoulder injury during the first week of baseball tryouts and subsequently underwent surgery. He has been ruled out for the summer. His status for the fall remains uncertain. And, so, Kooi is pushing up the development of Brozovich’s two primary backups — Cory Krakowski and Doug Sachtleben. Krakowski was a starter in the secondary for the Indians last fall.

He played deep safety as a junior.

“He has varsity experience — but at a different position,” Kooi said. “On the defensive side, he was running the show. Now, he’s going to get a chance to run the show offensively. Obviously, with his leadership qualities and his ability to communicate, we’re looking for those things to transcend to whatever side of the ball he ends up spending his time on.”

Sachtleben played a number of different positions for the Indians on the sophomore level last year. He is racing to get up to speed with the demands of playing quarterback in the varsity ranks.

“It’s a chance to get him some reps, too,” Kooi said.

The disappointment of losing Brozovich for the summer is not going to prevent Minooka from working toward improving on a 3-6 season, not if Kooi can help it.

“You leave last season feeling good, with a sophomore kid who gained almost a full year of varsity experience,” he said. “You know you’ve got him coming back for two more years. And, then, a non-football related injury comes up and he’s gone for the summer.

“And, as you know, the summer for skill position players — quarterbacks, wide receivers, linebackers and defensive backs — is so critical in their development. It’s when they work on their mechanics, improve their knowledge of the game, begin to recognize and read defenses, all those types of things. That’s what makes weekends like this, with coach (Mike) Uremovich and his staff as USF, so much more meaningful and so much more important.”

Kooi once worked as an assistant coach at St. Francis and enjoys the camaraderie of being around old friends whenever he returns to the Saints’ Pershing Street practice fields.

“I’ve spent a great deal of time on those fields,” he said. “It’s always great to go back and see other coaching staffs — people that you admire and hope to emulate. Man, they’ve got it going now at USF. Coach Uremovich has done an amazing job in a short period of time.”

Uremovich normally assists with the running of the USF camp and uses the 7-on-7 competition as a chance to size up prospects. Players dress in helmets and shorts, no pads. He will miss the first weekend to attend a former player’s wedding in Pennsylvania.

“It’s always a lot of fun for the community to come out and watch,” Uremovich said. “For us, it’s a day to go to work, to watch players. They all come to one place — our place. We get excited to see 20 high school teams in one day. The format is unique in a 7-on-7 setting. Speed and agility are on display.

“But, the bottom line for me, I’ve always said football is a physical game meant to be played in pads. At a 7-on-7, you can confirm some things about a kid. But I don’t ever want to rule a kid out if he’s not in pads. You can see Elliott Allen (a Minooka grad and USF recruit) on tape and then watch him at the 7-on-7 and it will confirm what you like about him.

“It’s another chance to be around the kids, to talk to them and talk to their coaches. Maybe you find out a few things you didn’t know, find out about somebody who’s had a great offseason and you might want to follow up on in the school year.”

Scholly to Ferris State: St. Edward senior defensive back/wide receiver Josh Scholly committed to Division II Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. on Feb. 4.

Scholly intends to study chemistry and eventually work in the medical field.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Shane Finnane, St. Edward
Junior, 6-0, 240

Finnane was a big part of the Green Wave’s significant improvement on defense this season with his play at defensive tackle. The All-Suburban Catholic Conference honoree finished the year with 63 tackles and two sacks. He also forced a fumble, recovered three fumbles and deflected a pass.

LINEBACKER
Moises Quiroga, St. Edward
Senior, 5-11, 225

Qurioga starred on offense and defense for the Green Wave. The two-time All-Suburban Catholic Conference honoree and two-time All-Area team member compiled 80 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception. He also finished his fourth varsity season running for 608 yards and seven touchdowns on 88 carries.

RUNNING BACK
Jimmy Mathisen, St. Edward
Senior, 5-8, 185

Mathisen made a major impact on offense and defense for the Green Wave in his second varsity season. He was the team’s leading rusher with 972 yards and 11 touchdowns on 146 carries. The All-Suburban Catholic Conference honoree also had 57 tackles and three forced fumbles.

Moises Quiroga St. Edward

This four-year starter was the key player in the revival of St. Edward football over the past four seasons. After leading the team in tackles the last three years, the middle linebacker notched another 80 total tackles to finish second for a team that won 4 games for the first time since reaching the playoffs in 2003. A punishing rusher, he carried the ball 88 times for 608 yards (6.9 avg.) and 7 touchdowns. "Mo has been here for four years and he's been the heart and soul," St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. "He helped this program evolve, keeping things respectable the last four years by making huge plays. Academically and football-wise he's maturing and developing into an awesome young man. We'll definitely miss him. He left this program better than he found it and his legacy will live on forever and ever at St. Ed's."

Jimmy Mathisen St. Edward

This senior delivered on both sides of the ball for a St. Edward team that fell one game shy of making the playoffs due to a brutal Suburban Catholic Conference schedule that included two eventual state champions and two quarterfinalists. Mathisen was the leading rusher for an offense that gained 88 percent of its yards on the ground. He carried the ball 146 times for 972 yards (6.7 avg.) and 11 touchdowns. Defensively, he moved from safety to outside linebacker during the season and finished with 57 total tackles and an interception. "Jimmy was an absolute warrior," St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. "He just made plays. He's a great instinctive football player and a key player with a great attitude."

St. Edward - Shane Finnane (OL/DL, Jr.), Nathan Gaige (LB, Jr.), Jim Waclawik (TE/DE, Sr.), Ryan Eigenhauser (TE/DE, Sr.), Josh Scholly (DB, Jr.)

'At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.-Hebrews 12:11'

"The Pain of Discipline, or the Pain of Regret... YOU CHOOSE!"

ELGIN -- St. Edward senior Jimmy Mathisen, like many of his teammates, was overcome with emotion following Friday night's crushing 33-27 home loss to Montini -- ranked No. 2 in the Class 5A state poll.

Tears ran down both sides of Mathisen's face, smearing the phrase "No Regrets" that was written on each side of the eye black under his eyes.

Like so many times before, St. Edward was less than a handful of plays away from shocking not only the Suburban Catholic Conference, but the state with a possible victory over the undefeated Broncos (8-0, 6-0) at Greg True Field.

That didn't make the difficult defeat any easier to digest, but it did prove a point to some degree -- St. Edward, which won one game last season, has sure come a long way in a short time. Still, a postseason berth will not happen this season.

"We knew what we were playing for tonight. If we didn't win there was a very slim chance of getting into the playoffs," Mathisen said. "We told ourselves to leave nothing on the field and play with no regrets.

"Losing never feels good, but everyone should be proud. A couple of years ago the coaches just told us to play as hard as we could against teams like this. This year, we knew we had a chance against them and we came out ready to win tonight."

St. Edward (3-5, 1-5) had Montini backpedaling from the very start. The Broncos didn't take their first lead until early in the second half before pulling ahead by their biggest margin, 26-14, with 5:43 left in the third quarter.

However, this time St. Edward wasn't about to back down, responding with a touchdown on its next drive following a fumble recovery in the end zone by Moises Quiroga. Quiroga (19 rushes, 84 yards) scooped up a loose ball after Cory Diaz had fumbled at the goal line on second-and-goal from the 1-yard line to make the score 26-20.

"We convinced them all week that we could beat this team," Wave coach Mike Rolando said. "They finally came out confident they could win. It was senior night and all the history they've been through, the guys really wanted this one and they played with a lot of heart tonight."

St. Edward then stopped Montini on consecutive drives, but was unable to come away with any points despite starting its possessions inside the Broncos' 40-yard line on both occasions. The Broncos eventually made the Green Wave pay for its inability to seize control -- pulling a rabbit out of the hat to break the hearts of the Green Wave.

Facing third-and-31 from the St. Edward 45-yard line, Broncos quarterback Tom DiCristina (15-of-19 passing, 335 yards, 3 TDs) eluded a near sack and found Grant Goebel behind St. Edward's last line of defense and alone in the back of the end zone for a TD and a 33-20 lead with 2:53 remaining.

"We were one play, one break away from making this happen," Rolando said. "Give Montini credit, they stepped up when they had to and made a big play. We had our fingertips on his jersey, but (DiCristina) was able to scramble around and make something happen."

St. Edward still refused to give up, getting back within 33-27 with 29 seconds left after Mathisen (20 carries, 167 yards, 2 TDs) rumbled in from 9 yards out. However, the onside kick attempt was recovered by Montini to seal the victory for the visitors.

"The only overwhelming feeling I have right now is just how proud I am of these boys," Rolando said. "We are not going to get to play in the postseason and it's just a shame. We are one of the best (Class) 4A teams there is and these kids deserve it."

St. Edward scored on its first possession of the game, marching 69 yards on 14 plays, while chewing up 7:59 off the clock. The drive was finally capped off by an 8-yard touchdown pass from Cory Diaz (4-of-9 passing, 39 yards) to Zack Von Ahnen.

Montini tied it at 7 early in the second quarter before St. Edward went back on top, 14-7, on a 21-yard touchdown run by Mathisen with 1:32 left in the half. Montini needed just three plays before the end of the half to get back within 14-13 after DiCristina hit Goebel on a 20-yard strike.

Quiroga alternated snaps with Diaz at times throughout the game for the first time this season, completing 5 of 7 passes for 53 yards.

Thank You to all who made permanent lights possible, from all of the St. Edward HS Football family!

This Sunday Nike is holding a free football combine at the MAX McCook Center in McCook, IL.  The results from this event are recognized nationally with college recruiters, and football prospect reporting sites like Rivals.com.  Athletes performing at this combine should meet at St. Edward HS no later than 7:30 AM.  Coaches will be there to provide transportation if you need a ride.  Bring football cleats and running shoes (no track spikes).  Also bring something to snack on and plenty of water. 

Green Wave claims victory

ELGIN -- The word heart kept passing through the lips of St. Edward players and echoing across Greg True Field on Friday night.

The Green Wave showed plenty of it with a 28-26 overtime win against St. Francis in Suburban Catholic Conference play.

For St. Edward, it snapped a school-record 26-game losing streak. But more than just ending the victory drought, it validated the efforts of the players that endured almost three winless years.

The last time St. Edward (1-6, 1-4) collected a victory was a 45-14 rout of Aurora Central Catholic on Oct. 8, 2004.

The Green Wave broke into the win column in gutsy fashion.

After overcoming an eight-point halftime deficit to take the game into overtime, St. Edward owned the first possession of the extra period.

Facing fourth down from the 1-yard line, Moises Quiroga rumbled off left tackle into the end zone to put the Green Wave ahead 26-20.

That was when St. Edward coach Mike Rolando elected to make the bold decision to go for the two-point conversion. While that has been a move that's backfired on the Wave this season, Rolando thought it was an easy call.

"I don't think there's a better way to call it," he said. "You have to put the pressure on the other team. They elected to play defense first so they'd know what they had to do. The only way to put the pressure back on them is to get two points."

The Wave did it with quarterback Ryan Gilbert rolling out and tossing a pass to Quiroga in the right side of the end zone.

"To be honest, I was scared and nervous," said Quiroga, who rushed 16 times for a team-high 62 yards. "Coach called for a playmaker, and I was it on that two-point conversion."

St. Francis (2-5, 1-4) used three plays to score in its half of the overtime, but couldn't force a second extra frame when Ryan O'Donnell was stopped short of the goal line by barely more than a foot.

"It's just amazing that we pulled that off," Ardiente said. "I didn't think we were going to pull it off, but my brothers picked me up and we achieved it. We got the 'W.' "

Many in the homecoming crowd might have doubted the Green Wave could pull it off after falling behind 14-0 by the midpoint of the second quarter. O'Donnell broke a 33-yard scoring run in the first and a St. Edward fumble helped set up a scoring toss from Spartans QB Jeff Reckards to Bob Vondehaar.

Vondehaar had his way going against St. Edward cornerback Josh Scholly with the scoring toss and another long pass play in the second quarter, but Scholly would get his revenge on the other side of the ball.

Gilbert capped a 38-yard, second-quarter Wave scoring drive with a 1-yard run. A blocked kick left St. Edward trailing 14-6 at halftime.

The Green Wave quarterback engineered a 15-play, 69-yard drive, finished off by a 13-yard scoring toss to Cory Diaz with 28 seconds left in the third quarter.

For the night, Gilbert connected on 11 of 19 passes for 111 yards.

"Ryan Gilbert played an incredible second half," Rolando said. "He was there in the spotlight, feeling the pressure and making plays."

St. Francis went back ahead when O'Donnell returned the ensuing kickoff 82 yards for a score.

However, St. Edward mounted another long drive -- this time 11 plays and 75 yards.

Quiroga broke a 25 yard run to put the Wave on the Spartan 20-yard line. From there, Gilbert threw a pass to Scholly for the final scoring play of regulation.

Jordan Torres' missed PAT kick made the extra period a necessity, but once in overtime the Wave never wavered.

"It was heart and dedication," said Quiroga, echoing the sentiment shared by his teammates. "We just wanted it. They wanted it too, but in the end only one team can win and we pulled it out."

St. Edward's Mat Ardiente, right, breaks a tackle and looks for more Friday night during the Green Wave's VICTORY over St. Francis at Greg True Field in Elgin.

George LeClaire | Staff Photographer

 

One play stood between St. Edward and its first victory since Oct. 8, 2004.

St. Francis running back Stan Bobowski had just scored on a 2-yard run in overtime to pull visiting St. Francis within 28-26.

Forced to attempt the 2-point conversion to forge a tie, the Spartans pitched the ball left to running back Mark Kachmer. But the junior was met at the 2-yard line by four Green Wave defenders, led by Moises Quiroga and Nevin Bens, and stopped short of the goal line.

With that tackle three years of frustration evaporated into the muggy autumn night. The entire student section huddled around Greg True Field -- extra large on St. Edward's homecoming night -- stormed the field to celebrate the end of the school's record 26-game losing streak.

Grown men wept. Players were lifted onto fans' shoulders. Everyone got hugged.

The streak was finally dead.

"I will never forget this day my whole life, especially on homecoming" said Green Wave quarterback Ryan Gilbert. "This is just amazing. It's the best feeling. We waited too long for this."

Gilbert was a big reason St. Edward (1-6, 1-4 Suburban Catholic) was able to overcome its 14-6 halftime deficit. He completed a pass to Josh Scholly on fourth down to keep a third-quarter drive alive. Seven plays later he launched a perfect pass to Cory Diaz in the corner of the end zone to pull the Wave within 14-12 with 28 seconds left in the third period.

Gilbert then tied the game with a 2-point bootleg keeper.

But the Spartans (2-5, 1-4) roared back on the next play when junior Ryan O'Donnell returned the ensuing kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown.

"We were putting in all the effort we could," O'Donnell said. "It was just great to be in one of these great high school games. It was a fun game, but it's a very, very tough loss. We were all working so hard out there, giving it our hearts."

The Spartans missed the extra-point kick wide to the right, however, leaving the score 20-14.

Two possessions later St. Edward drove 75 yards in 11 plays, a march capped by a great adjustment from Scholly, who reached back to snare an underthrown ball from Gilbert for a 20-yard touchdown with 4:21 remaining in regulation time.

However, St. Edward had its extra point try blocked for the second time on the night, leaving the score knotted 20-20.

St. Edward got the ball first in overtime and scored on Quiroga's 1-yard plunge on fourth-and-goal. But the bigger play came next.

Due to his teams' kicking difficulties, Green Wave coach Mike Rolando elected to fake the kick in favor of a rollout option. Gilbert, the holder, placed the ball down, rolled right, pumped once, then threw an accurate strike on the run to Quiroga to give St. Edward its first lead at 28-20.

"We'd had enough trouble with those today," Rolando said of the failed extra points. "They were coming so aggressively, jumping right over our center. So we figured (the pass) had to be open.

"This win is about Matt Ardiente, Nevin Bens, Ryan Gilbert -- our seniors. It's about getting that monkey off their backs to show everybody how good they really are."

St. Francis could only tip its collective hat.

"I'm very happy for them snapping their streak," St. Francis coach Greg Purnell said. "I feel very bad for our kids. They played better than us, they tackled better, they blocked better. They deserved to win."

***THIS FORM FOR 2007/2008 9TH THRU 12TH GRADERS ONLY***

Summer is almost here and we can not wait to get back on the field.  There will be mini camp sessions throughout the summer, but the attached form is for the Official High School Football Camp at the end of July. 

Please get your camp registration form and payment in as soon as possible.

See the attached registration form.

Thanks
Coach Ro
www.stefootball.com

Where is St. Edward Football Heading…

After coming off back-to-back 0-9 seasons, we would be foolish to think that people are not questioning the direction and future of the football program at St. Edward High School.  Those that are close to the program understand the situation and can see all of the positive things that have transpired over the past 2 years. However, not everyone is close to the program so I wanted to give our football family an update to ensure the continued positive support you have given us.

I’d like to start by saying that the coaching staff has accomplished more in 2 years than we thought possible when we first started.  We identified the problem of total participation and attrition as a class moved up.  Starting with 25 freshmen and ending with less than 10 as seniors throws up a huge red flag and is impossible to win with.  In the past 2 years, each class has grown in numbers as they moved to the next level.  There is a reason kids did not want to play and I think we have made some positive changes to correct that problem.

We identified a very negative attitude and aura around the football program, from players, parents, faculty, and other students alike.  Our first immediate goal last year was to earn the RESPECT back from our classmates, teachers, administration, and families and make football fun again.  This would not happen over night and would only be successful if the coaching staff and players carried themselves with respect, treated others with respect, and focused on grades.  I can honestly say the boys have made me very proud in this aspect, and they carry themselves in school with that in mind.  We have had a very positive impact on the boys’ grades and keep the parents informed weekly of any grades that are slipping during the season.

The 2008 class started with 17 last year, 5 more came out or transferred back to be part of this program.  The class of 2009 started with 27, 4 more came out during the season, and 4 more have joined or transferred back to be part of this program.  The class of 2010 already has 22 players that have informed us they are playing next year, which is far more that we had at this time last year for incoming freshmen.  I am very confident that number will exceed 35 by August. 

When we told people affiliated with St. Eds that we would have 60 players in the program for 2006, no one thought it was possible.  They said they had never seen that many kids play football at St. Eds.  We ended up with 70.  For 2007, I am confident we WILL have 90-100 players and we WILL win 5 games next year and make the IHSA State Playoffs.  We need the entire Football Program to start believing this and taking action to make it happen.

That is where St. Edward Football is headed and those things are only possible by keeping in tact our core goals and values, which will never change.  Please help the program by continuing to stay positive, speak positively about the program, spread the word, and BELIEVE in the boys.

Thank you for your continued positive support,

We had some interest this year to purchase game jerseys and did not have enough to get the price break.  We have to order more jerseys for next year, and are in the process of doing that now, so we will offer it again and this time we will definitely have enough for the price break.  THIS IS THE ONLY TIME WE WILL BE OFFERING GAME JERSEYS AS WE HAVE TO ORDER MONTHS IN ADVANCE FOR THE REPLACEMENT TO COME IN.

Christmas gift or just for Mom or Dad to wear to the games next year... purchase your son's game jersey from this year, the exact one he wore during the season (GREEN JERSEY ONLY), or one he will wear next year (if this year's player didn't buy it already). 

Cost is $75.00 and you can pick them up at Strength Testing this Saturday at Noon.

Please email me if you plan to purchase one so I can get them out ahead of time.

Thanks
Coach Ro

Sue Degregorio of the Parent Club called to ask our assistance with some work around the school on Monday and Tuesday, pulling weeds and spreading mulch.  I would like to encourage all our boys to be there.  1:00PM on Monday 6/26 and 1:00PM on Tuesday 6/27.  Please wear white STE Football Tee Shirt or a white tee shirt. 

Thanks
Coach Ro

The weight room will only be open from 3:00PM to 4:00PM during spring break 2/27 through 3/31.  The 6:00PM time is cancelled for the week, and there will be no speed training during that week.

Also, don't forget about your teammates request for help.  I hope you are all planning on going to help Joe out.  The the web site for more info from him.

Coach Ro

***Everyone had a BLAST!  Hope you can all make it to the next TEAM Building Event***
 
2006 Football Players and Potential Incoming Freshmen,

I hope the Holidays are treating you well and you are all enjoying your time off from school.  I am writing this letter to stay in touch with you all in the off season and share some information and thoughts with you.

First, we are now entering into 2006, a year with high hopes and expectations for the football program.  All the coaches have been impressed with the gains many of you have made in the weight room already.  I encourage all of you to make yourself stronger.  Football is a physical sport, one in which you need to be able to physically handle your opponent.  To improve that, you must get in the weight room.

Second, to start the year off, we are having a TEAM building event at the Vernon Hills Whirlyball Court on SUNDAY, January 8^th from 12:30PM to 2:30PM.  This time should accommodate the high school and feeder basketball teams.  I hope you all can make it.  Those that have not done this before, it is like playing basketball in bumper cars with a wiffleball using a scoop to throw the ball at the goal.  The cost will be $10 per player and you can bring it that day, but PLEASE RSVP by phone or email so I know how many are coming.  We’ll meet at St. Ed’s at 11:00AM and car pool from there.

Next, please log on to the web site above and register your email address AND have your parents register their email.  I use the website to stay in touch with everyone and share important dates and times.  Please check it often, AND REGISTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESSES.

Lastly, I know many of you are in other sports, and I encourage you to play as many sports as you are able to and that you enjoy, but PLEASE make time to lift 3 times a week at a minimum.  We will open the weight room ANY TIME YOU WANT, even 6:00AM if you want, but you need to get in there to help your TEAM get better.  Also, the Strength Testing is VERY important and we need to see everyone in there for the testing.  We play in a tough conference and a very tough schedule.  The time is now to start earning that first VICTORY. 

And a message to the Juniors… This is your TEAM now.  YOU are the leaders.  YOU have paid the price.  This is YOUR year.  Now take ownership of YOUR TEAM and make what you want of it.  My philosophy will be that every spot belongs to a Senior or Junior, until someone beats them out for it.  Take action NOW to earn and keep your spot.  Come August… The BEST Will Play!

Spread the word to any classmates that are considering playing next year, bring them January 8^th.

Coach Ro

With everything going on with St. Edward Athletics now, I'd like to take a moment to share a positive experience with our football team this year, and one of the biggest victories a coach can have.  Sometimes there is more attention given to negative things than positive ones.  I'd also hope it puts things in perspective and shows that this is an isolated incident with isolated student(s) and that there is a LOT of good things happening at St. Edward High School and a LOT of great students and faculty that are there to help lead young people in the right direction. 

We publish a "Chalk Talk" every week during the season; they are all posted on our web site.  The final one, volume 7, has a Q&A from our seniors.  Please take a look at question #3 and how each of them answered it.  I've attached it for your convenience.

I was more proud of our staff and kids that day than ever, the day I read their responses.

Thanks for your time, and support.
Coach Rolando
Head Football Coach

All football players will be tested every couple months as to their progress in the weight room.  Our next testing date is 12/17 at 11:00AM.
Spread the word and get all of your teammates and potential teammates there!
If you have not started lifting yet, this would be a great time to get started and get your initial testing results recorded.
Also, there will no longer be a 3:00PM football lifting time.  If their are other sports in there, you are welcome to lift with them at that time.

Coach Ro

Thank you all for attending and making our banquet so memorable.  Thanks to everyone who helped put it together.  Sorry it went so long.
Couple things...
We forgot to give the kids their certificates, so every player will need to stop by the office and pick their's up.
Also, not many people picked up coaching evaluations.  They are also at the office, please have the players pick one up and bring it home so you can give us your feedback.  You can return them to the office to put in my mailbox at school.
Those that did not attend, please go to the office and get your letters and awards as well.
Thanks again to everyone for a great first year.
Coach Ro

Football Parents….

We are currently planning the banquet.  I think there is a letter going out asking for money to cover a few different things.  We’d like to do the banquet off site and make it nice, but we also don’t want to charge too much and exclude anyone.  If you can possibly give any extra for the banquet, please contact my wife Teresa 847-468-8134 or give her your donation at the game Saturday.  Also, if you know anyone that would like to donate or give us a deal on a hall or catering, let her know.  Right now we are possibly looking at Sunday November 20^th at the Legion.

Sign up for email updates at the football web site, www.stefootball.com and check the site it often.

Equipment hand in will be this Sunday at 1:00PM at St. Ed's.  Bring all equipment and jerseys, washed, with lower pads wrapped in belt as they were issued.  Please be prompt, Bears are on at 3:00PM…

Thank you all for your positive support this year.  Any suggestions or things you liked/disliked that we did, please let me know.  We need all the help we can get in building your football program.

Weight lifting and speed training schedule will be posted soon.  We are still looking for a 3:00PM Weight Room supervisor.

Thanks,

Coach Ro

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These are only used by Coach Ro and not given to anyone.