NEW HEAD COACH EAGER FOR 2004 SEASON

New Elmhurst College Head Football Coach Tom Journell is eager for the 2004 season to get under way.

"I'm very excited for this upcoming football season," said Journell. "The team is returning a lot of talented players on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball."

Journell, who became the 16th head coach in Elmhurst football history, takes over for College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Co-Coach of the Year Paul Krohn, who stepped aside to take over duties as the College's athletic director. Journell inherits a Bluejay team that is coming off its best season in 16 years. The team finished 6-4 overall and tied for fifth in the CCIW, shattering multiple school records along the way. In their four defeats, the Bluejays lost by an average of only seven points.

"The team was in every game right down to the wire last season," said Journell. "I believe the team can build on the 2003 season with another strong showing this year."

Offense

Senior Dom Demma (Carol Stream-Glenbard North) returns to guide the Bluejays' offense. Demma earned second-team All-CCIW honors in 2003, setting new single-season records for completions (222), passing yardage (2,339) and touchdowns (22). In just two seasons as the starting quarterback, Demma has become the school's all-time leader in touchdown passes with 33.

"Dom is a terrific passer who's coming off a career year," said Journell. "I have no doubt that he can pick up right where he left off last season."

Despite losing his top two receivers to graduation, Demma will have no shortage of targets to throw to in 2004. Senior Jake Allen (Carol Stream-Glenbard North), juniors Todd Evans (Carol Stream-Glenbard North) and Dave Brechin (Addison-Addison Trail) and sophomores Terence Young (Chicago-De La Salle) and Michael Cooley Jr. (Carol Stream-Glenbard North) give the Bluejays a talented core of receivers.

"We lost two of our top receivers from last season," said Journell. "But I believe that just means that we'll spread the ball out even more. We have a large group of sure-handed receivers who can all develop into game-breakers."

Blending the passing game with the running game was a key to the Bluejays' success in 2003. A familiar face returns to the backfield in junior Eric Luna (Wadsworth-Carmel). A two-year starter, Luna was the leading rusher last year, piling up over 900 yards and 13 touchdowns while also being a receiving threat.

"Eric is a workhorse," said Journell. "He has deceiving speed and is certainly capable of running right over defenders."

The backfield will benefit from the return of fullback T.J. Imam (Chicago-Curie) who missed last season with an injury.

"Having T.J. healthy is a big boost for our offense," Journell said. "He's a good runner who can open holes as a blocker and also catch passes out of the backfield."

The offensive line, that had a lot of questions at the start of last season, looks to be a strength heading into the 2004 contests. Senior Andy Cook (Oreana/Argenta-Oreana) earned second-team All-CCIW honors last season while starting at center. On the left side, sophomore Brian Slackert (Hinsdale-Hinsdale Central) returns to the tackle spot after starting all 10 games last season as a freshman. Senior Zach Massell's (Carol Stream-Glenbard North) return from an injury to guard gives the Bluejays an added boost. On the right side, sophomores Adam Vann (Winfield-West Chicago) and Frank Hodgeman (Chicago-St. Rita) both saw significant time last season and should battle for the starting guard position. Junior Karl Constant (Miami, Fla.-Southridge) and transfer Louie Rachmaciej (Chicago-St. Patrick) can both fill the right tackle spot.

At tight end junior Andy Brogan (Carol Stream-Glenbard North) and sophomores Rob Kosciuk (Wood Dale-Fenton) and Jason Copeland (San Diego, Calif.-Junipero) give the Bluejays plenty of options.

"We have three or four players who are capable of helping fill the void left by Justin Teliga's departure," said Journell.

Defense

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bluejays' strength looks to be in the secondary. Sophomore Cedric Jones (Grand Prairie, Texas-Sam Houston) gives the Bluejays a speedy cornerback. Senior Benitez Brown (Sparta-H.S.) returns after being named a first-team All-CCIW selection last year. Junior David Socarras (Miami, Fla.-Christian) joins Brown as a returning starter at safety. "Our secondary is going to be a major strength of our defense," said Journell.

"Our corners are fast and capable of matching up against just about anyone, and our safeties are very smart players who can make impact plays when we need them."

At linebacker Jared Hagar (Bolingbrook-H.S.) was off to a fantastic start to the 2003 season before an injury forced him to the sidelines for the remainder of the year. Now healthy, Hagar will return to his role of starting linebacker. Sophomore Ward Brady (Bartlett-Glenbard North) will also see considerable time at the inside linebacker spot. Junior Travis Rueckert (New Berlin, Wis.-New Berlin West) is expected to fill the role of the rover on defense after finishing second on the team in total tackles last season.

The defensive line, a strength of the 2003 squad, faces the most pre-season question marks. With the loss of all four starters, 2004 will see new faces in the trenches for the Bluejays. Senior James Taranowski (Wheaton-North) returns for a senior season after an injury sidelined him for last year. Joining him at defensive tackles will be sophomore Mike Knight (Bourbonnais/Bradley-Bourbonnais) who joins the team after sitting out a year due to conference rules after transferring from Augustana College. On the ends, sophomore Brian Keaton (University Park/Crete-Monee) and senior Frito St. Hilaire (Pompano Beach, Fla.-Ely) give the Bluejays two big bodies on the outside. Sophomores Randy Brown (Chicago-Dunbar) and Bob Hohn (Alsip-Marist) give the Bluejays depth at defensive tackles. "Our defense line is very skilled, but lacking some experience," said Journell.

"We have a young, talented group that's actually going to be bigger than our defensive line of 2003. There are some talented athletes up front and I expect them to get better as the season progresses."

Special Teams

The Bluejays' special teams unit remains intact from 2003. Brogan will handle the long snapping duties and senior Brian Parker (Holbrook, N.Y.-Cooper City, Fla. H.S.) returns as the team's starting punter after averaging 38.2 yards per punt in 2003. The Bluejays will audition multiple players in the preseason to find a starting place kicker. The speedy Jones should see a lot of time returning kicks and punts.

Journell knows that his first year at the helm of the Bluejays will provide several challenges.

"The CCIW is one of the most competitive conferences in the nation," he said. "I think there is a lot of parity in the league this year. A lot of teams suffered some big losses in the off season and I think this could be a wide open race. I think we have the offensive firepower and defensive talent to be a factor each week. We'll just have to do our homework and be ready for our opponents, every time we take the field."