Southtown Star from Tinley Park, Illinois • 35

A 1 vv i I 0 Ccatastis Alan Macey, Sports editor E-mail: 8tarsports0stamewspapers.com Youth board, P253 4 Youth tiyouts, Pago 5 Elsenhower football, Pago 6 kick SUNpAy, AUGUST 17, 2003 I i iW iti Pat Disabato, Star columnist Chargers real deal or fluke? ZCSR jgr naf-L' j1 I fm if t. 9 A 4 jin JA, id A id? pi -t tTt' S' .1 fA A.AA 1 Star photo by Matthew Grotto EECZw.VTR CPTT.rSfd Eisenhowers Jamar Davis (center) breaks through the line during front seven drills at practice Friday in Blue Island. More Cardinal photos, page 6. 't Jr 0' M- They played the role of Cinderella to near perfection a year ago, blitzing opponents with a versatile offense and opportunistic defense to claim the SICA Gray championship and advance just one step from the Class 7A state championship. So now the question begs: Are the Stagg Chargers in position to sustain success or was last season a one-year fluke? Our goal is to be consistent year in and year out, said Stagg coach i McAlpin, entering his fourth year at the helm.

Weve done it one year, but now weve got to get the back-to-back years, -While another 10-3, SICA Qray title season might be expecting a bit much, knowing numerous new faces dot the starting line-up, Anyone expecting a free-fall back to also-ren status is sadly mistaken. The Chargers will compete for the Gray and qualify for the postseason in 2003. Book it. With a three-year starter at quarterback, experience on the offensive and defensive lines and depth to overcome unexpected injuries, Stagg can ride last seasons wave to another exciting campaign. Other than Sean Lewis, Richards 6-foot-7 quarterback who just committed to Wisconsin, Staggs Joe Ganz is the best QB in the area.

He passed for 1,550 yards and 10 touchdowns, rushed for another 620 and 14 scores last season. The 6-3, 190-pounder is attracting interest from Northwestern, Western Michigan and Central Michigan. And while the college recruiting game can be a distraction, dont expect Ganz to divert his attention from the task at hand and thats leading Stagg to consecutive playoff appearances. Ganz will need to remain focused with a schedule that demands preparation and execution. The Chargers boast a wicked nonconference schedule that has Hinsdale Central and Hillcrest in the first two weeks, and a SICA Gray trek that now includes powerful Thornton.

But McAlpin isnt flinching, realising to be the best, one Ms to play the best. You Schedule the teams and ytkrplav the games, McAlpin said. "We want to play the best competition and games that are of interest to the kids and community and will help us get to the next level." That is why, even though Hillcrest presents a formidable challenge, McAlpin has decided to remove the Hawks in Week 2, begining next fall, for, are you ready for this? District 230 sister Sandburg. That is a battle that will attract thousands of fans and provide respective players with additional motivation, to remain physically fit during the offseason. See E2AT3, page C-3 J.

Hr1 Apsh 3i -ri i i Rocket-armed Lewis will head to Wisconsin after senior year as QB at Richards By Jason Paha The Star For many high school seniors, the upcoming school year can be viewed as a springboard to greater glory. At least thats the way Richards senior quarterback Sean Lewis is approaching the 2003-04 campaign. As far as Lewis is concerned, the impending football season will be the first in a long line of positive years both on and off the gridiron, Lewis, who recently agreed to attend the University ofWiscon-sin on a football scholarship next season, bases his emphatic estimation on several factors. First, he stands 6-foot-7, and weighs 225 pounds, making him a commanding physical presence at the quarterback position. Second, he has a rocket for an arm and is quick for his size, having run the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds.

And third, hes a smart guy, which is evidenced by his ACT score (27) and grade point average (4.1 out of 4.0). So not only is Lewis a desirable commodity cm the football field, but his brain should make him a valuable asset in bis fall-back career of business management Wisconsins business program, in fact, was a mqjor factor in prompting Lewis to pass on the other schools that were courting him (Northwestern, Iowa, Purdue, Northern Illinois and Bowling Green) and sign on the dotted line. I fell in love with (Wisconsin) as far as the campus setting, and after I got the chance to talk with academic advisors for the business school, I realized they offer me a program that goes along with my business management degree and gives me the chance to help work with local small businesses in the area. Wisconsin is the best fit for me, Lewis added. Tm looking forward to working hand-in-hand with those businesses, and then opening a restaurant or 1 jar fv Kf -LL Star file photo Richards quarterback Sean Lewis has a big few seasons ahead of him for the Bulldogs and at the University of Wisconsin.

hours, so my friends and family can see me play a lot, Lewis said. My parents already told me theyll see ao many of my games as possible. Hes certain his parents, and Wisconsins coaching staff will like what they see. I feel very confident in my abilities at the college level," Lewis 8aid.Tm big Tm a mobile After throwing for 2,178 yards and 27touchdowns and rushing for 486 yards and nine touchdowns last season, Lewis is looking to improve on those considerable statistics. Should that happen, the Bulldogs, who are ranked No.

2 in The Stars preseason poll, will be one of the more prolific squads in the area, and probably the state. "Sean is a great player, hes the best quarterback weve ever had at this high school, said Richards coach Gary Korhonen. There just isnt a flaw in his makeup. Hes got great skills, hes a great leader, he's a tremendous decision-maker and I feel he should definitely have another outstanding season I think we have the potential to be SICA Orange champs, and state champs, Lewis said With coach (Korhonen) leading the way, I dont see why not Should things go as planned for Lewis, winning a state title would merely be the beginning. "My goals, aside from winning state, are to go to Wisconsin, win a few Big 10 championships, win the Roee Bowl, win the Heisman and win the national championship, Lewis added.

Never let it be said that Sean Lewis is lacking in confidence. sports bar some day. That is, if a budding football career doesnt get in the way first Especially because the platform Lewis will play on has a way of propelling young stars to a career in the National Football League. Tm going to get great exposure in the Big 10. And Wisconsin will be a great place for me to play football, Lewis said.

"Its campus is supposed to be one of the countrys 10-best on game day and the program is always strong Plus, its not that far away, its only two-and-a-half to three have the tools to succeed in lege, but I think I can make it into the NFL First things first however, Lewis is hoping to lift Richards to a state championship in his final year with the Bulldogs. 11.