The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Kostelnik, Shoremen gear up for season
Simon Hannig catches up with Matt Kostelnik and the Avon Lake Shoremen on Day 2 of high school football practice. Kostelnik is happy so far and is getting the team ready for a Game 1 rivalry with Avon.
The Avon Lake Shoremen were 9-1 last year, were SWC champions, and in 2019 they are looking to capitalize from last season.
Their first game of the season is a biggie — Aug. 30 at Avon.
While it was only Day 2 of practice, the rivalry game will be here before the Shoremen know it.
Head coach Matt Kostelnik is happy with the team so far.
“Pretty well. Defensively, we’re moving pretty fast, you know,” Kostelnik said. “Defense coming together pretty quick. We’re going to be very quick up front, and in the secondary, especially our linebackers. We’re going to run pretty deep on defense.
“And offensively, we’re a little slow coming around, but that’s to be expected when you replace the majority of your offensive line, the majority of your ... Your quarterback, as well as your running backs.”
Each team is usually different from the previous year, and Kostelnik said this year’s crop reminds him of when he started at Avon Lake.
He said they will rely on younger players to lead.
“Well last year we definitely had a lot of experience coming back,” Kostelnik said. “I look at this as kind of like my first year, back in 2016 season. I’m sorry, 2017 season. You know, where we were relying on a lot of underclassmen to step up, particularly on offense. We’ve got to mature, we’ve got to mature quickly, and hopefully our leaders will step up and make that happen.”
Before each season starts, every coach in every sport set goals for the team for the upcoming season. For the Shoremen, they have their eyes set on the prize.
“Same as they are every year,” Kostelnik said. “We want to go out, and we want to beat teams from down south. We want to compete for an SWC championship, and then make a run in the playoffs.”