Schaumburg coach Tom Cerasani, his former quarterback Kurt Kittner and All-State running back Jason Hawkins share a common bond unlike most coaches and players.
Cerasani’s wife, Joan, and Kittner’s mother, Lee, are battling multiple sclerosis, while Hawkins’ 13-year-old brother Jonathon has been mentally and physically challenged since birth with cerebral palsy.
“It’s easier for all of us to talk to each other because of our situations,” Cerasani said as he prepared the Saxons for Saturday’s Class 6A title game in Champaign against Naperville Central. “I mean, it’s encouraging to hear all the sympathy and compassion other people have for you, but unless you live in this world, you just don’t know what it’s all about.”
Hawkins, who has rushed for 2,595 yards and scored 39 touchdowns while also playing strong safety, credits his extraordinary endurance to his younger brother, to whom he dedicates every game.
“Jonathon is the biggest reason I never get worn down,” Hawkins said. “This makes you live life to the fullest and you have to appreciate your health all the time. I could never get worn down on life.
“This has brought all of us closer together. You can see that when we’re talking to each other, because we understand right away. Our work ethic is different than people who come from another kind of family. It has forced Kurt and I into growing up quicker, having to cope with problems early in life.”
Kittner said some of the problems he has experienced as Illinois’ quarterback paled in comparison with his real-life challenge.
“One or two bad games isn’t the end of the world when you see some of the tough times your mom has to go through,” Kittner said. “Seeing her like that, this person who raised you and cared for you all your life–it makes you mentally tougher. It shows you that life is more important than football.”
Kittner’s biggest concern after leading the Illini past Northwestern last week was the outcome of Schaumburg’s semifinal game against favored Lincoln-Way.
“I was talking trash with (ex-Lincoln-Way star) Nick Piazza, and some of my other (Illinois) teammates like Tony Pashos (of Lockport) and Jerry Schumacher (Mt. Carmel) get on me because I always talk about Schaumburg,” Kittner said. “Now that we’ve made it to the championship game, I’ve got stuff to say back to them.”
The former Saxons QB will talk to his ex-teammates about maintaining focus while playing in a big stadium, recalling the first time he walked onto the field at Michigan for a game.
“He is so thrilled and excited for these guys,” Lee Kittner said. “He was home Tuesday for Thanksgiving break and said to me, `You know, Mom, I’ve got to go back early.’ I laughed and said, `Can I just have 5 or 10 minutes with you?’ “
My treat
That’s what Hawkins told his offensive linemen just before the Saxons’ playoff victory over Downers Grove South, when he took them out for dinner at a local hamburger restaurant. Should the Saxons win Saturday, would steak and lobster be next?
FIREWORKS
Unbeaten Byron’s explosive wing-T offense is averaging 49 points a game with halfback Sean Considine and fullback Mark Cotter combining for 2,570 yards and 47 touchdowns. Undefeated St. Joseph-Ogden is scoring 40 points a game as halfback Brian Royse and fullback Jarrod Widick have totaled 2,614 yards and 49 TDs. You may not hear the term “defense” much in Friday’s 3A title game.
WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY
While Schaumburg has been practicing this week at Ryan Field and getting accustomed to playing in a college stadium, Northwestern coach Randy Walker has been peeking through his office window and getting an eyeful. He was so impressed with Saxons All-State placekicker Brian Huffman booming 50- and 55-yard field goals through the uprights that Walker is now planning to offer Huffman a scholarship.
BIG STUFF
It’s hard to miss 2A finalist Stillman Valley’s All-State offensive lineman Pat Babcock, who measures in at 6 feet 4 inches, 300 pounds, especially when he lines up with 5-9, 170-pound guard Matt Willis and 5-10, 163-pound center Andy Phillips. St. Joseph-Ogden has an offensive tackle named Jordan Lawhead who is 6-4, 330. It should be quite a collision in the 4A game when Joliet Catholic left defensive end Mike Maloney (6-5, 260) takes on Metamora’s sophomore right tackle Bob Kochendorfer (6-4, 300). A matchup to watch in 6A: Schaumburg defensive tackle Jeff DiSandro (6-2, 255) versus Naperville Central’s All-State guard, Dave Hilderbrand (6-5, 275).
HOLD THE CANDLES
Byron coach Everett Stine, who has headed the program since 1967, turns 60 Friday. “I typically don’t celebrate birthdays,” he said. “You stop once you reach a certain age. I’m not looking forward to turning 60. I think of 60 as old people.”
TAKE YOUR PICK
There must be something about 2A Macon Meridian’s defense that makes it appear susceptible to the pass. Teams have tried and the Hawks have responded with 22 interceptions, six by Derrick Smith. “We have a good defense against the run, so that forces teams to pass,” said Meridian coach Dennis Gatchel. If so, the Hawks defenders had better keep a close watch on Stillman Valley halfback A.J. Briarton. He has caught just eight passes but four have gone for touchdowns, and the Cardinals’ fastest player is averaging 42 yards per catch.
TURKEY TALK
Mt. Carmel coach Frank Lenti recalled how his team, ranked No. 1 in the preseason, got off to a slow start, losing the opener to Joliet Catholic and struggling against Marist:
“After the Marist game, an alumnus came up to my brother (defensive coordinator) Dave and asked, `What are you going to be doing on Thanksgiving weekend this year?’ Then the next week we beat Marian Catholic 38-7 in the first decent game we played all year. Before that a lot of people had written us off for dead.”
MOMENTUM
Nobody apparently told 6A favorite Naperville Central that the quarterfinal and semifinal games are supposed to be the most difficult challenges leading up to the title game. The Redhawks have outscored their opposition 91-13 the last two weeks and led Glenbard East 42-7 at halftime of the semifinal. “There’s no way we’ll be able to stop Ryan Clifford,” Schaumburg’s Cerasani said of the Redhawks All-State running back. “We’ll be real happy just to keep him out of the end zone.”
TRIPLE PLAY
Should Carthage repeat as 1A champ, there’s a good chance the Blueboys could be shooting for a three-peat in 2000. Coach Jim Unruh has only four seniors in his starting lineup and six of his returnees will be three-year starters.
