‘New energy’ has Trevians targeting fast start in hopes of a return to the playoffs

JUMP TO: OFFENSE | DEFENSE | WEEK 1

There’s no secret formula for putting an end to a postseason drought. But the 2024 New Trier Trevians believe a roster packed with senior leaders, an influx of talented additions and a series of coaching changes on both sides of the ball are the right ingredients to start cooking up success once again. 

Despite missing out on the state playoffs the last two seasons, the Trevians are heading into their new campaign as energetic as ever. One of the key reasons for the heightened optimism in Northfield is a sideline shakeup that took place this offseason. 

After consecutive years of uncharacteristic subpar finishes, the Trevians went into the offseason searching for answers. And now, the storied program welcomes new playcallers on offense (head coach Brian Doll), defense (Jason Dane) and special teams (Stephen Spellman) while also taking on a new offensive line coach (Demetrios Vrettos) and defensive backfield coach (Christian Miller). 

“The energy and the fun around the program right now has been really good,” Doll said. “There’s just a lot of positive things going on.”

Another key difference the coaching staff has noticed about this year’s group is increased chemistry — on and off the field. 

“I think the senior and junior class has really meshed off the field and on the field, and I think that makes for a really good environment,” Doll said. 

“Some of the new stuff we’re doing, offensively and defensively, the kids have really kind of bought into it. It’s created some excitement. And the same thing goes with the coaches. I’d say there’s a new energy among the coaches in the offseason.” 

Although New Trier’s training camp has been full of enthusiasm, the Trevians know that a faster start to the season is imperative in their quest to turn the group’s lofty preseason expectations into reality.

The Trevs opened last season dropping five of their first six games, all but eliminating them from playoff contention before the calendar turned to October. A similar slow start in 2022 left the Trevs playing catch up all year before they missed out on extending their season in the final week. 

This year’s group feels determined to buck the trend of the last two campaigns.  

“I think we really want to get off to a fast start here,” Doll said. “I think we feel very confident in the first four games. … We could be and can be above .500 in the first four games. And so we want to find a way to get off to that start and then carry it on to conference play.” 

Offense

New Trier’s 2024 offense will feature one of the greatest luxuries a high school program can ask for: a returning starter at quarterback entering his third year. 

Patrick Heneghan is back under center, making Doll’s transition back to play-calling this season all the more ideal. 

Having Heneghan at the helm has given Doll “a lot of flexibility with the audibles,” he said, adding that the senior gunslinger has reached the point in his progression where “he’s reading my mind.” 

Doll compared Heneghan’s understanding of the Trevians offense to that of former New Trier standout quarterback Clay Czyzynski. 

Heneghan will be tasked with leading what promises to be a new-look offense for the Trevs, both in terms of personnel and scheme. 

“I think you’ll notice that we’re going to look pretty different offensively in some of our looks — and I think it’s exciting,” Doll said. “I think the kids are excited about it.

“There’s some things we’re doing this year that are very similar to college and pro teams and the way they run stuff, and we’ve been able to spend a lot of time in the offseason working on that.” 

The Trevs are planning on featuring a three-pronged attack out of the backfield with Jayden Salazar, Colton Berg and Brady Peter leading the rushing attack. Expect Heneghan to show off his legs as well.

The size of the team’s running backs is one of the group’s biggest surprises, Doll said, noting the trio will offer New Trier an added physicality out of the backfield that it hasn’t showcased the past few years. 

New Trier’s greatest area of depth on offense is likely the team’s wide receiving group, which will be led by senior Dylan Benjamin, who will play both offense and defense this season after a strong year in the Trevs’ defensive backfield in 2023. 

The Trevians are also planning on Ben Zieziula, Keefer Baxter, Will Miller and Alexander Fairchild, a sophomore, to be key contributors as pass-catchers.

New Trier’s offensive line is about “seven or eight deep” right now, according to Doll, who added that is “deeper than we normally go.” 

James Carp, Luca Ratarac, Joey Sheridan, Luke Mastros and Winston Malayter are slated to be integral parts of the unit’s line, per Doll, who also noted that he’s “really happy with the improvement of the O-line from last year.” Doll credited the work of Vrettos in revitalizing the group. 

Overall, the team’s leaders believe they have the makings of something special on offense this year. 

“I think this year our offense is going to fit the personnel really well and I can’t wait,” Heneghan said. “There’s just so much excitement about the offense this year with new offensive staff, a new O line coach and a new coordinator. There’s just a lot of great things going on within this group. … And, overall, there’s a lot of diversification on the offense.” 

“I’m super excited for this season,” he later added. “I know the whole team’s excited. The whole coaching staff is excited, and I’d say the community should be excited as well.” 

Defense/special teams

New Trier’s 2024 defense will showcase a unit that is a “smaller but faster group” than last year’s team, according to Doll. 

The Trevians’ linebacking corps “is a very interesting group,” said Doll. Berg, who was a standout tackler for New Trier last season, is back to lead the unit. Additionally, the Trevs will look to John Morrison as a leader at the position. 

Doll said that one of the biggest offseason surprises on the team’s defense is the addition of All-State lacrosse player Aaron Pressman. 

“He is a very dynamic athlete,” Doll said. “He’s one of the best athletes on our team. … He plays with an attitude and edge, and it’s just been absolutely lightning for us.” 

Joining Benjamin as a leader in New Trier’s defensive backfield is senior CJ Donnelly. The cornerback’s play has also been one of the coaching staff’s “favorite surprises” throughout camp. 

“We’re really happy with the way he’s played corner and we love his energy and his attitude,” Doll said.  

Leading the charge on the defensive line for New Trier will be Salazar and Anthony Aguilar. 

Salazar, a three-year varsity player for the Trevs, noted that losing some of the group’s key leaders from last year, like Liam Fitzgerald and Miles Cremascoli, will be challenging but will also create “new opportunities for new players to step up.” 

“We have leaders on both sides of the ball … and those guys have filled those spots almost impeccably,” Salazar said. “So I’m hopeful for our groups on both ways of the ball, especially defense, because defense wins games.” 

Niki Dugandzic, one of the best special teams players in the nation, returns for his fourth year on varsity to lead New Trier’s special teams unit. 

A Northwestern University commit, Dugandzic has showcased both his elite kicking and punting skills for the Trevs over the last three seasons. Dugandzic is the first special teams player that Doll has elected as a team captain. 

Week 1 preview 

The Hersey Huskies have handed New Trier back-to-back losses on opening night the past two seasons. Although the Trevs will get a break from the Arlington Heights 7A powerhouse this year, they’ll face off with another solid program in the Huskies of Naperville North. 

Naperville North earned its way to the postseason last year with a six-win regular season. Then, the Huskies lost to Glenbard West in the opening round. 

The Huskies will prove to be a tall task for the Trevs in Week 1 as the team features a series of high-profile Division I talents, including quarterback Jacob Bell, committed to Ball State, defensive lineman Gabriel Hill, who holds offers from multiple Big Ten programs, and star wide receiver Quinn Morris. 

“I think they’re a really talented team,” Doll said. “They obviously have a handful of Division I kids that everybody knows about. We know they don’t have a lot coming back on defense, from a starter standpoint, and that doesn’t mean they don’t have great players there, but it’s going to be a little bit of a blind date with their defense.”

“Our schedule has continued to get tougher, but we have to find a way to win that first game against a really good team,” Doll said.

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