Friday Night Lights. The most popular words once you enter high school. Every home game with the roar of the crowd, the student section getting hype and chanting, and the home team winning their home games. The Boilermakers are enjoying one of their best starts in recent history, entering the last week of the regular season at 7-1. The Boilermakers play Andrew this week before returning to the IHSA playoffs.
While offense is often praised for winning games, defense is just as important to a team’s success. Defensive coordinator for the Boilermakers, Freddie Dudek discussed how they have made strategy based on their defensive players, prepared the team to go up against the tough teams on their schedule, and what Coach Dudek loves about coaching football.
When asked about deciding defensive strategy he shouted out the defensive staff — Coach [Joe] Kubal, Coach [Dan] Wetzel, Coach [Hollist] Daniels, and Coach [Dylan] Regnier. “We always get together over the weekends,” Dudek said. We are in here Sunday night breaking down film, looking at other teams’ tendencies and what they’re gonna do.” The coaches having this passion and care to break down film and be able to better prepare their players for opponents shows in attitude and on the field. Junior Rontez Smith said that the coaches and their preparation translate onto the field and into the team and how dynamics play out on the field and off.
Coach Dudek also shouted out senior captains Calvin Kohl and Lyzale Edmon, saying Lyzale Edmon “is probably one of the best I’ve ever coached as a defensive back,” and that “Calvin Kohl makes offense and defense hard to get past.”
Seniors Calvin Kohl, Lyzale Edmon, Khalan Clemens, and junior Rontez “Tez” Smith discussed their personal season goals, their team chemistry and how they’ve prepared differently this year than last. The seniors talked about how they love the team and are a lot more comfortable and ready to do great their senior year. Calvin talked about his privilege of being varsity for the past three years and how he’s just soaking in the year and enjoying the moment. Khalan talked about how even though his sophomore year he didn’t play much, the past two years have been great and that he loves all his teammates and the group dynamic.
With BBCHS football, group dynamics and how well they get along with their teammates were mentioned up a lot. Lyzale said the team goes out for breakfast, Saturday practices, and that there is a possible bowling trip coming up. All of these players mentioned how the dynamic has switched this year and how that is helping them show out on the field. Lyzale mentioned that [Head] Coach [Mike] Kohl says, “Teams who have the best chemistry are most successful.” And the Boilermakers are sure proving that statement right. With a 7-1 record and wins against D1 players from St. Mary’s South Side from St. Louis and Lincoln-Way West, Bradley-Bourbonnais is a team to watch in the playoffs.
Many people behind the scenes and even on the field often go unrecognized, and each player had people to shout out who have made the season successful. Calvin Kohl shouted out Jason and Della, BBCHS athletic trainers. Khalan Clemens shouted out the Red Surge crew and the BB student section for keeping the energy up and celebrating like crazy. Tez Smith mentioned the coaches and thanked them for their preparation and what they do for the team. And finally Lyzale Edmon shouted out teammate Isaac Allison saying he’s a good kid, great listener, and that he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.
Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School has star players and has had a great season. The seniors this year are coming with a vengeance and are going to end their last high school season with a bang, while the younger players are going to try and make this the best season they can for these seniors.