The football team is attempting to make it to the 2014 Illinois State Playoffs with a new defense and other strong features.
The Knights have made it to the playoffs the last two years but have been eliminated the first round both times. Putting in a new defense and returning their explosive offense is aimed to push them through the playoffs.
“[We] changed up our defense and started to play robber,” said head coach Steve Wood.
The coaches switched up the defense to better their chances of being successful in the Illinois State Playoffs. The Knights hope to be the team to beat in the Fox Valley Conference with their new defense that can stop the pass game and also the run.
The Knights are returning their senior running back Titus Booker who verbally committed to play football at Indiana University, and junior quarterback Merrick Gentile, both of whom were awarded All-Conference last season.
“Our offense is right on track, starting where we left last year,” Booker said.
The Knights’ offense is bringing back many players from last year and has a strong offense.
“[We have] one of the most explosive offenses in the conference,” Gentile said.
The team’s pass game consists of seniors Brad Baker, Andrew Martineau, and Eli Atwater, along with junior wide out Matt Aiken.
The team took a new approach toward their off-season training. Conditioning, conditioning and more conditioning was all that the team heard this off-season. North is smaller compared to some of the other teams in the area, and the athletes need to be in great shape to be successful this year. They ran almost every day after they lifted in the new weight room. During summer camp and practices, the boys conditioned more than they have in the past years.
“We are working to be extraordinary, not ordinary,” Booker said.
Early in the season, the team has a record of 1-1, and their current record stands at 2-2 after wins against Hampshire and Normal West. They had an early lose to Lakes Community, with a score of 14-37, but came back strong against Hampshire High School and won 42-31. On Sept. 26, they will be home against Prairie Ridge.
Everyone is waiting to watch for their breakout season, and watch them make a run deep into the state playoffs.