Sports
Full Speed Ahead for Hartman, Evergreen Park Football
Dan Hartman takes over as the Mustangs' coach and will look to utilize the speed of Victor Baker and the other playmakers as Evergreen Park looks to return to the IHSA playoffs.
Evergreen Park Mustangs
Coach: Dan Hartman, first season.
Last Year: 5-4 overall, 3-3 in the South Suburban Red.
Opener: Aug. 26 vs. Phillips.
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Outlook: Even in Hartman’s first season at the helm of Evergreen Park, the players and coaches are striving for at least six wins and a playoff berth.
“I think the guys have bought in to the goal of six wins, and they are really excited and hungry,” Hartman said. “This group of seniors has been really good in leading the younger kids along and maintaining focus on the goal.”
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Offense
Backs: Standout running back Victor Baker returns after totaling more than 1,000 yards last season. Wendel Lamar and newcomer Jared Jackson also will get some touches.
“We have speed at the skill positions that not everyone is blessed with,” Hartman said. “We have five or six guys that are game-breakers.”
Brandon White and Jessie Mclain are battling in a tight quarterback race, but Hartman has plans to use both of them in the first week.
Line: Blake Cermac and Neil Steen are the two returning players up front. Daqua Gatewood, John Measner and Andre Martin are all expected to fill in the vacated spots.
“They’ve all done a pretty good job in the preseason,” Hartman said.
Tight ends/receivers: Gatewood will slide over and play some tight end. Evergreen Park’s receivers will be Mike Reuter, who played a bit last year, Jared Jackson and Jacquet McClendon in the “Z” position.
Defense
Linebackers: The linebacking corps includes T.J. Eames, Ryan Sullivan and Wendel Lamar. “We will have some guys who play both ways,” Hartman said. “Jared Jackson will definitely play both ways, and Wendel Lamar and Daqua Gatewood are the big ones.”
Line: Hartman says Gatewood will get some time at defensive end alongside Teddy Wayo. The tackles will be Joe Johnson and Rashaad Kimble.
“We lost all four defensive linemen from last year, so we have all new guys coming in,” Hartman said.
Secondary: Chris Cheatham, Jared Jackson, Mike Rueter and Jack Ryan will anchor Evergreen Park’s secondary.
“The strength of the defense is probably the secondary with all the guys returning and some other guys helping out as well,” Hartman said.
Coach Dan Hartman said: “If the offensive line paves the way for Baker and the rest of the crew that we have running the ball and we can protect the quarterback so we can get it out to our playmakers, we’ll be successful.”
