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Sports

Expectations Soaring as Tinley Gets Set to Kick Off Football Season

The Titans are looking to build off their playoff run from last year. And, with eight returning starters on offense, they have the experience and explosiveness to do so.

Tinley Park Titans

Coach: Nick Johnston, ninth year (33-52).

Last Year: 7-4 overall, 3-3 in the South Suburban Blue.

Opener: Aug. 26 at home vs. Bogan, 7:30 p.m. Last year, the Titans defeated Bogan 38-16 in the opener and went on to a 4-0 start before falling to Oak Forest 35-29 in overtime.

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Outlook: Tinley Park is coming off its best season under coach Nick Johnston. The Titans advanced to the second round of the 5A playoffs.  Although they finished third in conference with a 3-3 record, those three losses were by four, four and six points. And the Titans return eight starters on offense, including all-conference quarterback Kyle Sheridan. He will try to help Tinley light up the scoreboard again. Last year, the Titans scored 30 or more points on seven occasions.

Offense

Backs: Quarterback Kyle Sheridan (5-9, 165) is a returning all-conference performer. Now a senior, Sheridan will look to spread the ball in a high-powered offense with depth at the skill positions.  Sophomore running back Preston Thompson gets the nod in the backfield to replace graduated all-conference rusher Hassan Abdullah.

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Line: Senior Zach Webster (6-1, 270) is the leader of a veteran group. He helped bolster a line that paved the way for Abdullah to rush for more than 1,000 yards last season.

Tight ends/wide receivers: Eldridge Anderson (6-2, 175) is a returning all-conference player and the Titans top playmaker.  Anderson’s size and speed make him dangerous on the outside.  O.J. Harris (6-1, 195) will play as tight end.

Defense

Linebackers: Seniors Jake Bernt ( 5-10, 200) and Chance Denegaurd ( 5-9, 170) will aggressively patrol the middle of the field for the Tinley Park defense.

Line: Mike McCullough (6-2, 220, senior) will use his speed off the edge to pressure the quarterback. Niko Chatman (5-10, 300) is responsible for stuffing the run up the middle.

Secondary: Frank Redding (5-11, 180) will ballhawk in the secondary. He also will see action on offense as a wide receiver.

Punter: All-conference WR Eldridge Anderson is a jack-of-all-trades.  Along with being the backup quarterback, Anderson handles punting duties.

Coach Nick Johnston said: “We’re in a tough conference with a lot of good teams. Any team in our league can be in the mix for the championship. But our kids are really believing in what they’re doing.  We feel, when we step on the field, we can play with anyone and we can beat anyone. We want to get to the playoffs and surpass what we did last year.”

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