When the game is your thing, it’s tough to give up.
Fifth-year seniors Lorenzo Williams and Mario LaBanca learned that lesson sitting out a year with injuries for Aurora University. That’s why they’re back for Spartans coach Rick Ponx, driven by the same goal.
“Individually, I’d like to make all-conference,” Williams said. “But the first thing is a ring (for winning the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference title). That’s the mindset and expectations of the team’s leaders.”
Williams, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound wide receiver from Bartlett, missed the 2014 season after breaking his foot in the season opener. It was Ponx’s first year, and the Spartans (1-9) went 1-5 in conference.
“The first season was rough,” Williams said. “But I think (Ponx) has good vision.”
Williams returned last season and had a modest 13 catches for 171 yards and one touchdown for the improved Spartans (3-7, 2-4).
LaBanca, a 5-10, 270-pound guard from Pekin, missed the same season with after ACL surgery.
“I remember going into my freshman season and thinking if I ever had an injury serious enough to make me miss a season, I would never come back for that fifth season,” LaBanca said.
“But I put so much time and commitment getting back, and I love the game this much, it motivated me.”
He was also impressed by the concern Ponx showed for him and two other players who were recovering from the same surgery in 2014.
Can the Spartans complete their turnaround?
“The majority of our players on defense last year were sophomores or freshmen,” LaBanca said. “And we were young overall. That’s why we lost so many close games.”
AU’s conference losses last season were by three points, seven in double overtime, seven and 12 points.
Quarterback Geron Rogers, who threw for 1,465 yards with 14 TDs and three interceptions as a freshman starter, returns to work behind a talented offensive line that includes Geneva sophomore Joey Wagner and LaBanca as the lone senior, backed up by several key seniors who have experience.
“We’re two deep across the line,” Ponx said.
With seven starters back on each side of the ball, he’s looking for continued improvement.
“If you look at the box scores, at some point in the fourth quarter of every conference game last year, we had a lead,” he said. “We didn’t finish, and that’s a sign of youth.
“We’re learning how to play fast, come together and be unselfish by being disciplined and trusting each other.”
Youth will still be served, but Ponx’s team is growing up together.
The Spartans’ top returning running back, Brandon Evans (845 yards), decided not to play this year. But Ponx said it remains “one of the deepest positions on the team.”
The team’s top receiver — junior Danny Logiurato (59-863) — does return.
The defense will again be young, featuring lone senior starter Justin Gibbons heading the secondary. He had 28 tackles and five interceptions last year.
Also back is talented lineman Eric Wagner (Johnsburg), who returns after winning league freshman of the year honors in making 34 tackles with 8.5 sacks.
“The league continues to get better,” Ponx said. “But what I love is anybody can win it.”
The Spartans open 1 p.m. Saturday in Kenosha, Wis., taking on Carthage College of the CCIW.
Twitter @RickArmstrong28
