By Steve Klemm
SHGFootball.com
August 19, 2007

Are you ready for some football, Cyclone Nation? The season is less than 6 days away and I know you fans out there can't wait for it to begin.

I had the opportunity to speak with Coach Leonard about this year's team as well as several other topics of interest. Overall, he was very pleased with the leadership of this year's seniors, offseason preparation by the players, and the progress of the underclassmen. He was able to give me insight into this year's team and all the aspects that will surround the 2007 Cyclones. So let’s get to it… 

The past two seasons have been an unbelievable ride for the Cyclone players, coaches and fans.  After coming so close too many times, SHG now boasts two straight state championship trophies.  But with that success comes a new set of challenges.  The task of defending those back-to-back state titles will certainly not be an easy one. My first question for Coach Leonard was regarding the offseason preparation of this year's team for the upcoming season.

“The offseason preparation is pretty much the same as in years past,” says Leonard. "I am very pleased with the work the seniors and juniors have done over the past few months."  He further stated that this group of juniors and seniors are very dedicated to carrying on the tradition of Cyclone Football and he hopes that the offseason training and conditioning will pay dividends against a very difficult schedule.

Supplementing that offseason training and conditioning once again have been the numerous 7-on-7 tournaments that the Cyclones have participated in this summer. The team again traveled to Notre Dame, Riverside-Brookfield, and East Peoria to compete against some of the best teams in the state and region. And this year, SHG was invited to one of the most prestigious 7-on-7 tournaments in the country, The Select 7-on-7 Championships at Hoover, Alabama.  This tournament featured some of the top football programs from the Southern and Midwestern sections of the country.  And while these 7-on-7 tournaments do not incorporate all the facets of football, they do provide valuable preparation for all the participants, especially the quarterback, receivers and defensive backs. And as in years past, SHG's spread offensive attack will undoubtedly benefit from these events. 

How did Coach Leonard feel about their performance at the 7-on-7's, particularly Hoover?

"The tournaments went very well and I think they were rewarding to this group,” Leonard said. “Tim (Dondanville) was accurate and the receivers showed some great skills. The defensive play was good, too.

"Hoover was a great experience for the kids.  The competition down there was at a very high level...the speed and athleticism of some of those teams was just incredible.  But I think it really helped the team.  It will make us a lot better."

I next asked Coach about how the players, particularly the senior class, have been dealing with the pressure of being the two-time defending state champions.

"The seniors have been handling the pressure very well," replied Leonard. "These seniors want to carry on the tradition more than anything...and they seem to be in awfully good shape. Plus you have a coaching staff that really hammers in perfection to these kids...they know there are consequences to mistakes.  But this group is focused on getting better each time out."

The conversation then switched over to the schedule that looms ahead for the Cyclones. Once again, it will be two difficult games versus Montini Catholic and Cahokia that sandwich a conference schedule that includes a road trip to Chatham Glenwood, a home date against the always tough Taylorville, and a conference finale against upstart Springfield High.

"First off, Montini is a giant this year...that is going to be a very tough opener for us," Leonard stated. "Then you have Cahokia to end the season.  They are the fastest team in the state and we'll have to be on our game. 

"The conference is going to be solid this year again. Jacksonville is the last conference team to beat us...and to play them in Week Two will not be an easy task.  Ultimately, you have to acknowledge that success is proven over time in this league.  You talk about Glenwood and Taylorville...they have had some great success over the years and I expect the same this year."

Leonard added that the Springfield game should be a great one, noting all the hype surrounding this year's Senator team under second year head coach Mike Taylor.  Indeed, the Central State Eight regular season will be test for the Cyclones and Leonard reiterates that no team in the CS8 can be taken for granted this year.  He stated that Lanphier might be this year's conference darkhorse as they possess the size and speed that can make them especially dangerous as the season goes on.

The overall consensus is that the 2007 season has the potential to be another very special one. But as always, Cyclone fans are content to take it one game at a time... 

Ladies and Gentleman, it's my pleasure to introduce your 2007 Cyclones...

Starting at quarterback is junior Tim Dondanville (6'1" 188 lbs). Dondanville boasts a strong and accurate throwing arm, along with good speed and vision, as he leads the Cyclone offense in 2007.  He will also utilize his running ability on occasion to elude defenders and keep the pass rush honest.  Look for the streak of great quarterbacks in the Cyclone program to continue with Dondanville.  At backup quarterback will be the senior Robby Mosher (5'10" 185 lbs) or the sophomore Eric Williamson (6'0" 170 lbs). 

The running back duties will be split between senior Josh Gossard (5'11" 185 lbs) and junior Gary Wilson (5'8" 179 lbs). Both Gossard and Wilson saw time at running back in 2006 with great success and will look to add yet another dimension to the offensive attack this year. The one-two punch will provide the Cyclones with good speed and cutting ability out of the backfield.  Gossard also appears set to take on the kicking duties for this year.  Wisconsin-bound Leonard "The Hitman" Hubbard (6'1" 228 lbs) will see time at the fullback position this year.  His bruising running style and blocking abilities should be on showcase throughout the season.

The Cyclones lost a number of great receivers from a year ago, including all-state selection David Kavish, but still return a number of talented wideouts and slotbacks. Moreover, this year’s Cyclone receiving corp possess a great deal of quickness and athletic ability, as evidenced by their strong performances in the 7-on-7s this summer.  The senior Mosher will lead this group that also features junior John Lantz (6'1" 189 lbs), junior Dominic Walton (6'0" 189 lbs), junior Adrian Cave (5'9" 165 lbs), junior Chris Cox (6'0" 170 lbs), and sophomore Jake Smith (6'3" 175 lbs).  This year's group of "golden hands" will all provide viable options for the SHG air attack.

The starting tight end for the 2007 Cyclones will be Grant Anderson (5'11" 195 lbs). Anderson will bring good quickness and agility as well as stellar blocking abilities to the offense.

The SHG offensive line will boast one of the largest groups size-wise since 2001.  Although they will return just one starter from last year in senior Kelby Jasmon (6’0” 230 lbs), the Cyclones should be strong up front.  Joining Jasmon will be senior Zach Higdon (6'5" 302 lbs), senior Jeremy Adams (6'4" 275 lbs), junior Aaron Peterman (6'0" 245 lbs) and sophomore Matt Anderson (5'10" 225 lbs).  Senior Matt Sartore (5'10" 270 lbs), who is out indefinitely with an injury, senior Matt Selvaggio (6'0" 210 lbs), and junior Derek French (6'0" 245 lbs) will round out the group of linemen. This unit will have a major challenge in Week One against Montini, but will certainly get better as the season progresses under the direction of longtime line coach John Sowinski.

The Cyclones will run the 4-2-5 defense, with two strong safeties doubling as outside linebackers.  On the defensive line, senior Shawn Young (5'11" 275 lbs), who Leonard calls one of the turnaround players for 2007, will lead an inexperienced group up front.  Young will be joined by a rotating unit consisting of senior Kevin Dallavis (5'6" 212 lbs), Selvaggio, Junior Dan Schafer (5'9" 176 lbs), and sophomore Christian Jordan (5'10" 225 lbs).

Once again, the heart of the Cyclone defense is at the linebacker positions.  The unquestionable leader of this year's defense is the hard-hitting Hubbard, who has been a starter since his sophomore year. He will join up with fellow senior Jack Duncan (5'10" 210 lbs) to police the middle part of the field.  SHG will rely heavily on this tackling tandem, especially in the first few games of the season.  The outside linebacker/strong safety duties will be handled by Anderson, Walton, and senior Tanner Sommer (6'2" 197 lbs).

The defensive backfield has particularly benefitted from the various 7-on-7 tournaments this year, especially Hoover.  This backfield returns three starters and should be a strength of the 2007 defense.  Mosher, Gossard and Lantz are all returning starters at the cornerback positions with the junior Cox also seeing some time in a reserve role.  At the safety position, look for senior Joe Marrin (6'1" 190 lbs) to see most of the playing time.

This year's team is once again a very talented group, but may have some growing pains in the beginning.  But as the season progresses along, look out.  The Cyclones will ultimately need to stay healthy and stave off the injury bug. The offense will be explosive with the long ball, but could be just as dangerous on the ground. The defense, which features several returning starters, will look to utilize an aggressive style of play against the opposition. Certainly, the 2007 version of The Gold and Black Attack will be an exciting team to watch over the course of the season. So grab a seat and enjoy the ride...

The road to Champaign and title #3 begins Saturday. GO CYCS!

Interesting Stats: SHG will enter the 2007 season with a 46-game regular season winning streak, a 35-game conference winning streak, and a 28-game overall winning streak.