Three-year starting quarterback Connor Harrod has graduated at Manteno, so more of the offensive responsibility will be taken on by Nick Honkisz.
The rising senior running back is ready.
“I already know I’m gonna have to step up with Connor gone — who (was) an All-State quarterback,” Honkisz said during a break in summer camp on June 22. “And honestly, I’m excited for the opportunity. We’ll just see how it goes.”
With the expectation that he’ll get more touches this fall, Honkisz hit the weight room hard during the offseason.
“I’m about 20 pounds heavier, faster,” the 6-1, 195-pounder said. “… I think I’m the fastest back in the area, honestly.”
Manteno coach RJ Haines is looking forward to seeing what Honkisz can do in a bigger role this fall.
“Nick’s best attribute as a running back is his absolute toughness,” Haines said of the returning All-Illinois Central Eight first-teamer. “He just runs freaking hard. He is hard to get on the ground. He has good balance for being a long kid. He has great balance.”
The Panthers always strive for offensive balance between the run and pass. But there could be a heavier dose of Honkisz early as the Panthers’ new quarterback settles into the role. At the moment, rising senior Carter Stell and rising junior Logan Bufford are competing for the job.
Whoever winds up starting has a good returning target in rising senior receiver Briggs Cann, a two-time state track medalist in the 400 meters.
Honkisz is another track/football standout, having advanced to state last month in the 110-meter hurdles.
The two sports are complementary, he said.
“Fast-twitch muscles — it prepares you for the (football) season, for sure,” Honkisz said.
Some other familiar faces back for the Panthers this fall include senior offensive guard/linebacker Franklin Jordan, senior linemen Joe Coley and Lorne Toepper, junior lineman Sean Hupe and junior linebacker Shaun Chantome.
The goals look a little different for the Panthers with the expansion of the IHSA playoffs from 256 to 394 teams. Manteno is coming off consecutive postseason appearances, but with that bar being lower now, Haines and his players have bigger dreams.
“The mindset will be, just making the playoffs shouldn’t be the goal anymore,” Haines said. “Because we’ve done that. It’s about winning games in the postseason. So it (doesn’t matter) what it looks like getting there, it’s about winning those games when you get there.”