Highland Park’s go to to Chicago Bears coaching camp on July 27 was greater than a thrill for junior linebacker Tyler Gleyzer.
The alternative to see skilled gamers work supplied a invaluable lesson for him.
“They go full-out all the time,” Gleyzer stated. “I felt like we have to mirror this. This is something we have to do.”
The Giants plan to make use of what they discovered at Halas Hall in Lake Forest and the expertise they gained a 12 months in the past, when 12 sophomores began, to pursue the Central Suburban North title and extra this season.
“We’re going to win conference, make the playoffs and beat Deerfield,” Gleyzer stated, referring to Highland Park’s Township High School District 113 rival.
Deerfield beat the Giants 35-6 and received the Central Suburban North final season. The groups will meet in Deerfield on Sept. 30.
Highland Park’s season begins with a house recreation in opposition to Leyden on Aug. 26, not fairly two months after the mass capturing on the metropolis’s Fourth of July parade. School administration restricted dialogue for this story to soccer.
First-year coach Anthony Kopp, a former Highland Park quarterback who was promoted from offensive coordinator in June, additionally took be aware of how the Bears apply and intends to implement that into the Giants’ exercises. He has excessive expectations for this season.
“We’re going to push them every day to work like the Bears,” Kopp stated. “If we strive for that, we can do anything. We want to be one of the final eight teams at state.”
The Giants’ work started lengthy earlier than Bears coaching camp, nevertheless. Since the 2021 season ended, Gleyzer and his teammates hung out within the weight room getting stronger and faster.
“Now the juniors are ready to step up as leaders,” senior vast receiver Emmet Pulte stated. “They learned a lot as sophomores. We’ve all gotten better and stronger.”
Among these juniors is quarterback David Finfer. At this level final 12 months, Finfer didn’t anticipate beginning at quarterback, however he moved into the function because the season progressed. He stated he’s prepared to steer the offense.
“That experienced really helped,” Finfer stated. “Now I am much more vocal as a leader. We’re going to hit the ground running.”
Other juniors whom Kopp expects to contribute embrace vast receiver/defensive again Nicholas Blumer, vast receiver/defensive again Andrew Cortes, two-way lineman Larry Jenkins, operating again/cornerback Nikko Rosenbloom and offensive lineman Eli Secher.
Kopp stated all components of Gleyzer’s play have improved. He is “bigger, stronger, faster and smarter” than he was a 12 months in the past, Kopp stated.
Pulte and junior quarterback David Finfer stated they like how Gleyzer dissects offenses, will get to the ball and makes tackles with an exclamation level.
“You get free, and everything feels great,” Gleyzer stated. “It’s what we have to do to win the battle.”
Steve Sadin is a contract reporter for the News-Sun.
Team: Highland Park.
2021 report: 4-5.
Offensive leaders: David Finfer, junior, quarterback; Emmet Pulte, senior, vast receiver; Nikko Rosenbloom, junior, operating again; Eli Secher, junior, offensive line.
Defensive leaders: Tyler Gleyzer, junior, linebacker; Larry Jenkins, junior, defensive lineman; Jacques Marks, senior, defensive lineman.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com