McAdams, offensive stars lead Titans into offseason
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
The Glenwood High School varsity football team has notched back-to-back 10-win seasons the past two years.
In addition, the Titans have won six playoff games in that time, leading to state final and state quarterfinal appearances in Class 5A.
And GHS junior quarterback Miles McAdams has been under center for each of those games, giving him quite a leg up in experience
heading to his senior season.
McAdams, 20-6 as Glenwood's starting quarterback, led the team to a 10-2 finish in 2011. Both of the Titans' losses came to non-
boundary rival Sacred Heart-Griffin, with the final defeat being a 25-10 decision in the 5A quarterfinals two weeks ago.
"Miles had a great junior year," Glenwood head coach Dan Rourke stated. "He did a lot of things people didn't notice, like changing
plays at the line of scrimmage. He did an outstanding job operating our offense. He keeps getting bigger and stronger, and he's very
smart."
Offensively, the Titans had a banner season in 2011, averaging 36.4 points per game. Glenwood scored at least 24 points in every
game, save for that final contest against SHG. The Titans mounted a 10-game winning streak in between the season-opening and
ending losses to the Cyclones.
Defensively, the Titans had their share of injuries and share of up and down moments. Glenwood finished up allowing 21.1 points
per game. And coming off a state runner-up finish in 2010, expectations were again high coming into the season.
"We improved, but not as much as last year's team did," Rourke explained. "I feel like our team this year was better at the start than it
was last year. Offensively, we were pretty good and we didn't hardly miss a beat. Defensively, we replaced a lot of people, and we were
still in a growing phase there at the end."
Donovyn Hammonds and Daniel Helm, two of the pillars on offense, will return next season, giving the Titans quite a trio to be
reckoned with in the skill position department (along with McAdams). Helm also was a standout performer on defense for Glenwood.
But there are a number of seniors who have played their final game in a Titans' uniform. Two-way starter Joey Giovannelli was
recently named to the Illinois High School Football Coaches' Association All-State Team.
Giovannelli has his eye on playing football in college, and Rourke said his best days are ahead of him. Giovannelli, blessed with
blazing sprinter speed, set the school record for average yards per carry in 2011 at 10.5.
Linebacker Eric Kerr dealt with a painful shin injury most of the season, with a hairline fracture eventually being diagnosed. His
presence was missed for much of the middle part of the year, and football is in his future, Rourke added.
Running back Brandon Montrey was one of the season's most pleasant surprises, Rourke said.
"He was ill going into his junior year, and he just started to get healthy during that season," Rourke explained. "This year, he got an
opportunity to run the ball and he did a real nice job for us."
Then there's a mainstay like Ethan Adams, the starting center for two seasons.
"And, he's the No. 1 kid in the senior class," Rourke added. "Ethan was a great leader on our offensive line."
Injuries were a big part of Patrick Bennett's season, but they didn't stop him or define his contribution.
"Patrick's probably the toughest guy on our team," Rourke stated. "He played hurt a lot, and had he been healthy, he would have
started on both sides of the ball."
Other seniors who were starters include receiver Sean Dowling, guard Kyle Lauterbach, nose guard Zach Finn and safety/receiver
Colin Stokes. John Nicholson played a number of positions for the Titans the past two seasons.
Other key returnees for Glenwood include offensive linemen Grant Lee and Gabe Phillips, with Phillips drawing interest from major
colleges and universities.
Nathan Hack was a versatile two-way performer for the Titans, and he "fills a lot of slots for us," Rourke said.
On defense, players like Matt Meyer, Nik Courtney, Tyler Brinkman, Dylan Ambrose, John Young, Nick Underwood and Chris
Simmons will return, as will long-snapper Ryan Martin.
"His role is very important," Rourke said of Martin. "I rest pretty easy knowing he's out there."
Kicker Chayce Volpert was almost automatic all season long, giving the Titans both stability and a useful weapon in the kicking
game.
A number of other players, including receiver Connor Fiaush and cornerback Greg Roberts, made their mark during the season and
will return next year.
In the offseason, the Titans will "have the same focus, but we'll strive to keep doing things better," Rourke explained. "We're gonna
work, and we're always tweaking, changing and finding new ways to produce.
"We're also educating these kids on nutrition," he continued. "You don't want to keep throwing in Twinkies and Cokes all the time; it's
like putting bad gas in a car, and it doesn't run as well. There are a lot of supplements out there that kids are looking at. Good eating
habits is the No. 1 thing."
•The schedule will have a decidedly different look in 2012. The last two seasons have brought so much pressure early on, with SHG
and Springfield High being the first two opponents. But those two schools slide to the end of the regular season slate in 2012.
Glenwood will open up with home games against Taylorville and Jacksonville, followed by a Week 3 trip to Charleston, the Titans'
non-conference opponent the next two seasons.
Charleston, which lost 41-13 to Rochester in the 4A semifinals this season, finished 11-2, notching the most wins in school history.
After a home game against Lincoln, the Titans finish with four of their final five games on the road, with SHG in Week 8 and
Springfield High in Week 9.
•Rourke, just completing his 19th season as head coach at GHS, also plans to return for year number 20. He has a career record of
130-73 at Glenwood. Assistant coaches Len Onken, Steve Cox, David Hay, Mike Janke and Vondel Edgar have been along for the ride for
at least 17 of those seasons, with Onken and Cox being there every year.
"It's been my job for 31 years (going back to his days in Texas)," Rourke concluded. "As long as it's fun, and I only have to deal with
football players about football stuff and practice and playing on Friday nights; and as long as it stays like that, I enjoy it. It's been a way of
life for me and these coaches."
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
The Glenwood High School varsity football team has notched back-to-back 10-win seasons the past two years.
In addition, the Titans have won six playoff games in that time, leading to state final and state quarterfinal appearances in Class 5A.
And GHS junior quarterback Miles McAdams has been under center for each of those games, giving him quite a leg up in experience
heading to his senior season.
McAdams, 20-6 as Glenwood's starting quarterback, led the team to a 10-2 finish in 2011. Both of the Titans' losses came to non-
boundary rival Sacred Heart-Griffin, with the final defeat being a 25-10 decision in the 5A quarterfinals two weeks ago.
"Miles had a great junior year," Glenwood head coach Dan Rourke stated. "He did a lot of things people didn't notice, like changing
plays at the line of scrimmage. He did an outstanding job operating our offense. He keeps getting bigger and stronger, and he's very
smart."
Offensively, the Titans had a banner season in 2011, averaging 36.4 points per game. Glenwood scored at least 24 points in every
game, save for that final contest against SHG. The Titans mounted a 10-game winning streak in between the season-opening and
ending losses to the Cyclones.
Defensively, the Titans had their share of injuries and share of up and down moments. Glenwood finished up allowing 21.1 points
per game. And coming off a state runner-up finish in 2010, expectations were again high coming into the season.
"We improved, but not as much as last year's team did," Rourke explained. "I feel like our team this year was better at the start than it
was last year. Offensively, we were pretty good and we didn't hardly miss a beat. Defensively, we replaced a lot of people, and we were
still in a growing phase there at the end."
Donovyn Hammonds and Daniel Helm, two of the pillars on offense, will return next season, giving the Titans quite a trio to be
reckoned with in the skill position department (along with McAdams). Helm also was a standout performer on defense for Glenwood.
But there are a number of seniors who have played their final game in a Titans' uniform. Two-way starter Joey Giovannelli was
recently named to the Illinois High School Football Coaches' Association All-State Team.
Giovannelli has his eye on playing football in college, and Rourke said his best days are ahead of him. Giovannelli, blessed with
blazing sprinter speed, set the school record for average yards per carry in 2011 at 10.5.
Linebacker Eric Kerr dealt with a painful shin injury most of the season, with a hairline fracture eventually being diagnosed. His
presence was missed for much of the middle part of the year, and football is in his future, Rourke added.
Running back Brandon Montrey was one of the season's most pleasant surprises, Rourke said.
"He was ill going into his junior year, and he just started to get healthy during that season," Rourke explained. "This year, he got an
opportunity to run the ball and he did a real nice job for us."
Then there's a mainstay like Ethan Adams, the starting center for two seasons.
"And, he's the No. 1 kid in the senior class," Rourke added. "Ethan was a great leader on our offensive line."
Injuries were a big part of Patrick Bennett's season, but they didn't stop him or define his contribution.
"Patrick's probably the toughest guy on our team," Rourke stated. "He played hurt a lot, and had he been healthy, he would have
started on both sides of the ball."
Other seniors who were starters include receiver Sean Dowling, guard Kyle Lauterbach, nose guard Zach Finn and safety/receiver
Colin Stokes. John Nicholson played a number of positions for the Titans the past two seasons.
Other key returnees for Glenwood include offensive linemen Grant Lee and Gabe Phillips, with Phillips drawing interest from major
colleges and universities.
Nathan Hack was a versatile two-way performer for the Titans, and he "fills a lot of slots for us," Rourke said.
On defense, players like Matt Meyer, Nik Courtney, Tyler Brinkman, Dylan Ambrose, John Young, Nick Underwood and Chris
Simmons will return, as will long-snapper Ryan Martin.
"His role is very important," Rourke said of Martin. "I rest pretty easy knowing he's out there."
Kicker Chayce Volpert was almost automatic all season long, giving the Titans both stability and a useful weapon in the kicking
game.
A number of other players, including receiver Connor Fiaush and cornerback Greg Roberts, made their mark during the season and
will return next year.
In the offseason, the Titans will "have the same focus, but we'll strive to keep doing things better," Rourke explained. "We're gonna
work, and we're always tweaking, changing and finding new ways to produce.
"We're also educating these kids on nutrition," he continued. "You don't want to keep throwing in Twinkies and Cokes all the time; it's
like putting bad gas in a car, and it doesn't run as well. There are a lot of supplements out there that kids are looking at. Good eating
habits is the No. 1 thing."
•The schedule will have a decidedly different look in 2012. The last two seasons have brought so much pressure early on, with SHG
and Springfield High being the first two opponents. But those two schools slide to the end of the regular season slate in 2012.
Glenwood will open up with home games against Taylorville and Jacksonville, followed by a Week 3 trip to Charleston, the Titans'
non-conference opponent the next two seasons.
Charleston, which lost 41-13 to Rochester in the 4A semifinals this season, finished 11-2, notching the most wins in school history.
After a home game against Lincoln, the Titans finish with four of their final five games on the road, with SHG in Week 8 and
Springfield High in Week 9.
•Rourke, just completing his 19th season as head coach at GHS, also plans to return for year number 20. He has a career record of
130-73 at Glenwood. Assistant coaches Len Onken, Steve Cox, David Hay, Mike Janke and Vondel Edgar have been along for the ride for
at least 17 of those seasons, with Onken and Cox being there every year.
"It's been my job for 31 years (going back to his days in Texas)," Rourke concluded. "As long as it's fun, and I only have to deal with
football players about football stuff and practice and playing on Friday nights; and as long as it stays like that, I enjoy it. It's been a way of
life for me and these coaches."
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Issue Date: Dec. 1, 2011
