Family-Oriented Indians Have Plenty to Be Thankful For

The football team has a lot to be thankful for this recently-concluded season, and what the Indians accomplished this season, they did so as family.

“I love our players and I think they know that,” Lemont coach Eric Michaelsen said. “So in that way, I hope they feel like they are part of my family. I probably have spent more time with our players than I spend with my wife Kim and three daughters, so I definitely feel that way.

"It always makes me feel good when former players come back to our practices and games, or when they visit in the weight room or at school. These players do feel like family, not just when they are in high school, but in the years after as well.”

The Indians posted a 12-1 record and advanced to the Class 6A semifinal round, in a hard-fought double overtime contest 34-31 to Peoria Richwoods last Saturday.

“I was proud of them,” Michaelsen said. “We tell our players that if they give it their best effort, no matter the win/loss outcome, they can look at themselves in the mirror with a sense of pride.”

The team was characterized by a hard-hitting defense, which shut out six opponents, and a run-oriented offense — along with proficient passing — that ran behind a strong offensive line.

“The defense held strong all year as expected,” Michaelsen said. “The offense kept improving as well as special teams to the point where all three parts were helping the team.”

Lemont started the season with non-conference wins over Chicago Little Village (54-0), Riverside-Brookfield (49-0) and Oak Lawn Richards (28-6). The Indians marched through their South Suburban Blue Conference opponents with wins over Thornton Fractional South (30-0), Tinley Park (49-20), Bremen (21-0), Hillcrest (56-6), Thornton Fractional North (37-0) and Oak Forest (41-13).

Lemont grabbed a top seed in the playoffs and beat Chicago Morgan Park (56-30), Oak Forest (36-14) and Chicago Hubbard (29-0) before bowing out in the semifinals to the Knights of Richwoods in Peoria.

Leading the way for the Indians was the senior class.

Seniors standouts included Mike Anzalone (running back), Damon Aleman (quarterback), Josh Young (kicker), Tyler Jay (wide receiver), Tommy Kunkel (defensive back), Brad Uher (linebacker), Vince Letizia (linebacker), John Tomala (defensive lineman), Kyle Krull (linebacker), Travis Layer (offensive lineman), Arnas Laurinaitis (defensive lineman), Carl Chanda (offense lineman), and Andrew Manganiello (defensive lineman).

“We have been blessed by having outstanding seniors in our program over the past years,” Michaelsen said. “This year’s group was no exception ... Football was important to them and they were important to each other. When you have that combination, good things can happen.

"In the off season we started to discuss the goal of going to state. I think this goal helped our players focus from week to week. We did not achieve the goal, but the effort was sure there to meet that goal.”

Practice helps a team get ready for games, and in football the players who don’t see the field on Friday nights, the scout team, helps the offense and defensive squads prepare for what they will see from the opposition on game night.

“The shutouts are something to be proud of, but I am also proud of all parts of our team.” Michaelsen said. “One part that does not always get mentioned is the scout team players. This year's group did a great job of preparing the starters for our next opponent, especially guys not mentioned earlier (juniors Tony Barauskas, Jon Clark, Greg Rizzo, Joe Sambucci, Steven Tate, Bill Millard, Erik Cervantes, Kevin Fischer, Alex Gardiner and Nick Mui).

"Many of these players will be expected to step in and contribute next year. Senior Ted Krieg was also an important part of our scout team this year.”

What will the Indians look like next year? On offense, returning juniors will be linemen Ethan Pocic, Tim McAuliffe and Nick Runnfeldt, running backs/receivers Mitch Balek, Joe Hehir, Drew Slee, Chris Giatras, and Jacob Ricks, quarterback Zach Brosseau and tight end Ricky Sniegowski. On defense, lineman Mike Devitt, linebacker Connor O'Brien, defensive backs Matt Luzzo and Jake Lemming highlight the returners.

“We have some very good returning players, but we also have many holes to fill.” Michaelsen said. “It will be interesting to see if next year's seniors buy into the program and work hard as leaders like this year's group did. Our off-season starts soon. Offensively, we will have several spots to fill (and) defensively, we have a few more to fill.”

As far as the underclass teams fared, the sophomores went 6-2-1 and the freshman squad went 1-8. Michaelsen said the number of kids that went out for football among sophomores was a little light and the freshmen had good numbers.

“The sophomores had a good season. John St. Clair, Chris Hardy and Sean Brickey do a great job with them,” Michaelsen said. “We will definitely be looking at several of these players (freshmen) to play varsity next year. Dave LaBarbera, Tim Leffler and Mark Skowronski do a great job with them as well.”

Sustaining a winning program takes a lot of work and the players, parents, coaches and community know it.

Lemont has eight consecutive winning seasons, which translates into eight straight IHSA playoff appearances. The football season may last from late August to late November, but it really is a year-long commitment for all involved.

“Most successful athletic programs work hard — we are no exception.” Michaelsen said. “Parents of our players are not surprised, but people outside the program may be surprised. Weight room and agility/ speed work are important parts of our off season, as well as the IHSA summer contact days help prepare our players.

"The coaches that work with me put in a great deal of off-season time as well. John Coneset is an awesome weight room coach. My coordinators, John Howell (defense) and Brent Gagnon (offense) also put in a lot of time studying film and going to clinics. The other coaches (some of whom coach other sports) also go to clinics and watch film as much as possible.”

Lemont is 92-25 in the past 10 seasons since Michaelsen took the helm. Of all the teams that have played for him, he said it is hard to compare teams and that all have a special place in his memory. He is thankful to be Indians’ head coach.

”I am lucky to coach in a school with supportive administrators and parents,” Michaelsen said. “In a community where football is important, with a group of coaches who love our players and the sport of football, and with a group of players willing to put in the time necessary to be successful. This year was special in all these areas — administration, parents, community, coaches and players.

"Lemont is a special place.”

Patch posed several questions to Lemont football players Damon Aleman (senior, quarterback), Ethan Pocic (junior, left tackle), Tim McAuliffe (junior, right guard), Chris Giatras (junior, running back), Sebastian Koziel (senior, defensive lineman) and Jake Lemming (junior, defensive back).

What have you gained as a football player and as a person by experiencing this season?

Aleman: I gained confidence in myself as a football player and as a person. If you believe in yourself, so will your teammates.

Pocic: I’ve learned to be a leader and how to use teamwork.

Giatras: From this season I have gained an even greater love for the sport. This season taught me never to settle and just be satisfied with just almost making it deep into the playoff.

Koziel: The experience I gained from playing football was to have fun and enjoy every minute of it. It taught me how to become a gentleman along with being a nice person in general.

Lemming: From a football standpoint, I’ve learned a ton this season. Tommy Kunkel (#26) really helped me evolve my game and take it to another level, and I wouldn’t have had this season I had without him. As a person I have learned to be a better leader, to take responsibility for the mistakes I have made, and to never give up.

Was there one experience, turning point or game in the season, where the team came together?

Aleman: In the semifinal game towards the end of the game we all calmed down and played as a group, which made the experience something I will never forget.

Pocic: I think the team came together during the offseason while working out.

McAuliffe: I feel like this team we had this year was always close from the beginning.

Giatras: We were a team from beginning till the end. We grew up playing together as kids and were like a family.

Koziel: I don’t think there was a game or a turning point that made us come together. We pretty much came together while we were working out, and playing together. We are a family and always will be.

Lemming: I think after the Tinley Park game. They were coming into the game undefeated and we beat them on all cylinders. After that I think we kind of realized we could compete with anybody.

Is there one play that you made from this season that will always stay in your memory? What play was it and what game did it occur?

Aleman: During a Richards game right before halftime, we were tied 14-14 with two minutes left. On a touchdown pass to Joey Hehir for 79 yards, we went into halftime with the lead which was huge.

McAuliffe: The one play I'll always remember is Tyler Jay’s one-handed touchdown at T.F. South. It was one of the best catches I ever saw.

Giatras: In the quarterfinals against Hubbard we ran a fake punt. It was a simple pass out to me in the flats and I got the first (down). We went on to later score on that drive.

Koziel: The one play that I will always remember is against Peoria Richwoods. The first play in overtime I stuffed the running back in the backfield. (It) was one of my last plays as a Lemont Indian and I gave it all I had.

Lemming: Not one that I made, but I’m always going to remember when Matt Luzzo got his interception against Oak Forest. It really changed the momentum of the game, and he did with a cast on which was pretty impressive.

Are there any funny stories from practice or games that you'd like to share from this season that you will never forget?

Aleman: The funniest moment was in practice at the beginning of the year. John Tomala had a little tiny mouse in his helmet and he felt it during drills.

Giatras: In the semifinals on our first series we were forced to punt. The ball got a good roll and while the ball was going down field, #55 on Richwoods (Ryan Dunne) ran up to the ball to touch it and ran away and after we recovered it he lined up against me apologizing to the team saying (he was) sorry that he didn't know that he couldn't down the punt.

Koziel: There were way too many stories to say. Just being able to practice and have excellent coaches is a story to tell. There wasn’t one day that Coach C (Defensive Line coach John Coneset) or (Defensive Coordinator) Coach John Howell wouldn’t make me laugh.

Lemming: During summer camp when someone left Coach Howell’s volleyball out on the track and a van ran it over.

What does the future hold for you? What would you like to study in college? Or … What does your senior season hold for you? What do you think of Lemont's chances next season?

Aleman: I plan on going to a four-year university and studying in the business field, possibly becoming an accountant. I really had no plans for playing college football. The year I had with my teammates and all the seniors is something that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Pocic: I don’t know what the future holds. I have nine offers as of now from the University of Illinois, Michigan State, Michigan, Nebraska, Purdue, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Arizona. I don’t know what I’d like to study.

McAuliffe: I feel like we have to work really hard this off season to have success next season. Our chances all rely on how hard we work.

Giatras: We have the potential to be great this next season. We are a hard-working team in the off season and I believe we can be just as good and hopefully even better.

Koziel: I do plan on playing football. I’ve been accepted into a few colleges, but I have not decided yet. I plan to go to school for nursing. I love helping people and I feel like that is a job that you would need to care for people a lot.

Lemming: I don’t really know. Hopefully I’ll be able to progressively get better this off season and have a pretty decent senior season. I think we’ll be pretty good. We have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball returning.