The Lake Michigan Catholic football team is looking to improve on last year and make a run for the playoffs as they prepare for this season.
First year head coach Toby Riley said that not only has he gotten to know what to expect from his players, but that they have learned his expectations for them. “All of our expectations have been met,” he said. “We’ve had a great fall camp so far, and everything is going just according to how we want it to.”
Riley also said that under his coaching, the culture of the football team is going to change in accountability and discipline. “We
preach accountability, and we’ve not necessarily had a hard time, but it’s been an adjustment period, getting used to what accountability actually is,” he said.
The team’s effort in practice has been especially encouraging to Riley. “Every day we get a little bit better and we make a few less mistakes,” he said. “You hope every year at some point the team comes together, and that happened at 8:40 p.m. on day one.” Riley listed captains Ben Agay, Tyler Preciado, Cam
Robinson and Phil Damico as the team leaders for this season.
On the strengths of the team, Riley said that the running game will be a key part of their offense. “We’re going to be able to roll maybe five running backs,” he said. Quinn Kibler has earned the position of starting quarterback. On the defensive side of the ball, Riley said the Lakers’ strengths will come from the linebackers.
Riley’s expectations for the team are to win the league championship and make a run in the playoffs. “It’s nice to start the season and say ‘We’re going to be state champs,’ and that’s good, but you’ve got to break that down incrementally, and first thing’s first.”
Catholic begins the season on Aug. 28 against Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian.
