PR’s Greenwald shifts to fullback

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Connor Greenwald appreciates the opportunity he was afforded last football season.

As a sophomore, Greenwald was thrust into Prairie Ridge’s starting lineup early after running back Bob Maxey suffered a season-ending knee injury. Greenwald usually was the fourth choice in the Wolves’ triple-option offense, but he experienced the speed and physicality of varsity football.

That should benefit Greenwald as he moves to fullback for Prairie Ridge, which is coming off a 9-4 season in which the Wolves reached the IHSA Class 6A playoff semifinals.

“I’m getting used to contact a lot more and have to run harder,” Greenwald said. “They switched it up for me [from running back to fullback] because I’m not the fastest guy out there, but it’s definitely a good switch for me. I’ve had a pretty decent summer because of playing varsity last year.”

Prairie Ridge coach Chris Schremp said Greenwald (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) gave the Wolves a different dimension at fullback. Kevin Keener (165 pounds) and Tim Deering (145) were small and productive fullbacks the past two seasons.

“Everyone tells me I like those little fullbacks, but I say, ‘No, we just never had a bigger, tougher kid to take on that position,’ ” Schremp said. “Connor is bigger-framed and he’s a lot more athletic. We thought with the style of runner he is, he could really thrive at fullback. It’s going to be a nice position for him.”

Missing Maxey: Prairie Ridge thought it was going to have running back Bob Maxey back after a season-ending knee injury last year. Maxey tore his left ACL and MCL early last season and attended most of Prairie Ridge’s summer activities, but Schremp said Maxey tweaked the knee at preseason camp at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis.

“It got him nervous and a little worried,” Schremp said. “He went through some severe surgery. He tore both ligaments in his knee. I just don’t think he wanted to take that risk of having it happen again.”

Jar of Fun: Schremp’s coaching staff instituted a new system for dishing out post-practice punishments this season. Those who arrived late to Wednesday’s practice for various reasons were lined up and one player picks a slip out of the jar.

Some are more difficult than others. The first day’s result was not a good one – 50-yard ladders – prompting assistant coach Bill Lawlor to say, “That’s the Jar of Fun?”

New colors: Huntley coach Matt Gehrig looks a little different this season.

For all his playing and coaching careers, Gehrig has worn royal blue. He played at Burlington Central, Eastern Illinois University and coached at Larkin. Now, he’s wearing the Red Raiders’ red and black.

“That’s OK,” Gehrig said. “Red’s actually my favorite color.”

R-B quarterbacks: Richmond-Burton quarterback Adam Pittser will be the fifth regular starter for the Rockets in 11 years.

Donovan Moore started from 2000-02, Scott Murray was quarterback in 2003, then Nate Roberts took over from 2004-06. David Jewell started in 2007 and Pittser now is in his third year.