When Driscoll in Addison shut its doors for good in the spring, not even archrival Montini could be counted among the happy.
The Driscoll football program stood alone in Illinois as the only one to win seven consecutive state championships, spanning the 2001 through 2007 seasons.
Its football players were particularly devastated that the school wouldn’t have the opportunity to add to that legacy, but life went on and new schools were found.
Montini picked up a new star running back as a result. The Lombard school also inherited a good receiver, an outstanding safety, a kick returner and a long snapper. Oh, and possibly a quarterback.
His name is Nick Campanella. He accounted for 1,675 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.
While a few other schools picked up a useful player or two, Montini and Immaculate Conception were the clear winners in the Driscoll Transfer Sweepstakes.
A plurality of former Driscoll students and football players transferred to Immaculate Conception in Elmhurst, the 2008 2A state champ. The biggest prize went to Montini.
Anticipating a strong team after going 11-1 and advancing to the 5A quarterfinals last season, Montini hit the jackpot with the 6-foot, 205-pound Campanella, a do-it-all type who instantly makes the Broncos strong contenders to win it all.
“He has fit in incredibly fast with our team, our system, our kids, the way we do things,” said Montini coach Chris Andriano, who will carry six Driscoll transfers on his varsity squad, three of whom are expected to be starters.
“Nick is a very coachable kid and a very good player. He is one of the top players in the Chicago area. We are very fortunate to have him.”
Even if he was the enemy a short time ago.
“The first time I went to camp in the summer, I was thinking that these kids are going to hate me,” Campanella said. “But at the end of the first session, they were like, ‘Hey, Nick, why don’t you come with us to lunch.’ They were nice to me right away. I didn’t expect that.
“I wouldn’t say Driscoll is in the past. There will always be a spot in my heart for Driscoll. But right now I am with my team, and my team is Montini.”
What Montini gained in star power, Suburban Christian Conference rival Immaculate Conception picked up in sheer numbers. Nearly 100 Driscoll students (30 football players) transferred to Immaculate Conception, boosting the school’s enrollment to 419 and causing a jump to 3A this fall.
As a result, the Knights won’t have the opportunity to defend their 2A title. But the addition of 12 players who are expected to contribute — including five defensive starters and standout tight end Austin Hennessy — should make them a force in 3A.
“We are pretty much going to use every one of them,” said coach Mike Alberts, whose team lost 28-0 to Driscoll last year. “The old kids have really brought them into the fold and welcomed them as teammates and brothers.
“We’ve had no problem with the integration of the two groups. We addressed it early in the summer, and we haven’t had to talk about it since.
“There is no more Driscoll kids and IC kids. Everybody is on the same team.”
