‘Great to get started’ – Barrington back in contention after reaching 8A semifinals; Lake Zurich seeks 8th straight playoff appearance

It is a labor of love.

Ask any high school football player and they will tell you exactly that.

And after an offseason of strength and speed training and a summer of training camps and 7-on-7 games, that love has now become a reality. On Monday, teams across the state had their first official practice.

The first games will be on Labor Day weekend, with most teams playing on Friday night, August 30. The schedule will be pushed back a week this year because Thanksgiving is so late. This weekend, November 29 and 30, all eight state finals will be played at Illinois State University in Normal.

Barrington, which missed out on a place in the 8A finals last season when the Broncos lost to Lincoln-Way East in the semifinals, had its first practice late Monday afternoon.

“It’s great to get started,” Barrington coach Joey Sanchez said. “It’s always exciting at the beginning of the year. It’s the excitement of the journey, the excitement of what’s coming and all the possibilities. We’re very fortunate and blessed with our success last year, that we have a lot of guys that were there and some that want to be there now.”

Quarterback Nick Peipert threw for 2,905 yards and 35 touchdowns last season, and the senior said he can’t wait to get back on the field this year.

“The last game last year made me work so hard in the offseason,” said Peipert, who recently committed to Division I St. Thomas University in Minnesota.

“I love this. I’ve been dreaming about playing these games all offseason. I’ve been preparing for it.”

Jack Burzynski, who played on the defensive line as a junior last year, said he was able to apply the things he learned last year in the offseason.

“Last year was a development year for me,” said the graduate, who has a preferred walk-on offer from Wisconsin and scholarship offers from Western Illinois, Southern Illinois and New Hampshire.

“I hope to be able to follow in their footsteps. You have to get used to the constant grind. I enjoy coming here with the boys.”

In Lake Zurich, the Bears, who have qualified for the playoffs in the last seven seasons and 20 of the last 21 years, also couldn’t wait to get started. Lake Zurich coach Ron Planz said the atmosphere on the first day was special.

“It’s exciting to be out here,” Planz said. “In the summer, you do a lot. But there’s something special about training in August when it starts. Even if you’re just wearing helmets. There’s just a different vibe and a different feeling.”

Lake Zurich quarterback Cole Kenyon, who has committed to play baseball at Belmont as a pitcher, said the feeling on a football field is special.

“I’ve been playing football since I played baseball,” Kenyon said. “It’s great to be here and they’re so similar to me. The atmosphere here is amazing. I’m really excited to get started.”

Jacob Wilk, a 6-foot-9 offensive tackle for the Bears, said he used the offseason to reduce his weight from over 300 pounds to 260 pounds.

“It’s better to lose weight now,” said Wilk, who has committed to Western Michigan. “I’ve just always felt better because I can move a lot faster. I’ve been waiting for this day. I love this game. I’m grateful to be able to play this sport.”

One of the biggest changes in football this season is that schools are allowed to play a full live scrimmage. Barrington and Lake Zurich will meet in Lake Zurich on August 23 in what observers are calling a “Week Zero Scrimmage.”

“I think it will be a great opportunity to play against schools you don’t normally see,” Sanchez said.

It was also the first opening practice for new Rolling Meadows coach Robbie Gould. The former NFL kicker and Chicago Bear welcomed nearly 130 players from his program on his first official day of practice.

In a statement to the Daily Herald, Gould said, “This is an exciting time of year for any high school football program. I look forward to seeing our kids compete this season. And more importantly, representing the Rolling Meadows community. We can’t wait for this season to begin.”