Sycamore Varsity Head Football Coach Joe Ryan acknowledged there are high expectations for the team this season, but the team will approach each game individually as they come up on the schedule.  There are nine three-year starters this season as a result of the Covid-affected spring football season two years ago.  Last year’s team made it to the semi-finals.  He also said this year’s team is physically the strongest he’s coached.  Saying this year’s team is a “great bunch of kids,” Ryan said he wants to make sure that the hours of practice are not a grind but a way for team members to grow physically and mentally and “have some fun.”

 

Ryan said he’s changed his coaching approach over the years and hopes it keeps students interested in the sport of football.  He said there are 350 youth involved in Sycamore school district football programs with 175 of those in grades K-6 flag football.  He values this pipeline of future talent coming to the varsity level. 

 

Sycamore’s first game of the season is August 26 against neighboring DeKalb.  Ryan said his team’s total focus at this point in time is on that one game.  He expects to use technology like streaming video of the game in progress to help make any necessary adjustments to achieve a positive outcome.