Football Preview: Lyons

2012 record: 7-5 overall, 3-3 West Suburban Silve

2012 playoffs: Lost in Class 8A quarterfinals to Mount Carmel 45-10

Head coach:Kurt Weinberg, entering fifth season

Game to watch: Glenbard West at Lyons, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20.

To win the conference, Lyons must beat the undefeated defending Class 7A state champions.

“(Quarterback) Tommy Fiedler has worked his butt off. The way he reads the defense … he reads better, his stance is better and his throws are way better,” said running back Leonard Ross.

What adjustments did the program make during the offseason?

“We have a new special teams coordinator. His name is Tim McAlpin, but he was on our staff last year. We have changed quite a bit in our special teams. We are really excited about it; there are new ways of doing things,” said coach Kurt Weinberg.

Who took the best trip during summer vacation?

“I took a couple of trips to Michigan and the Wisconsin Dells. I went to Colorado for one week that really was the highlight of my summer. I went to the J. Kyle Braid (leadership camp) and it was helpful. It was gorgeous. There are not many words to describe the experience,” said Ross.

Who will be a difference maker this season?

“I’m excited about Leonard and his ability. He started at the end of the year with us on varsity and made a tremendous visit to the varsity,” Weinberg said. — George M. Wilcox

What I did over my summer vacation …A.J. Villarreal

I went to (wrestling) nationals in Fargo, N.D. Camp went really well, but I got down there and went 2-and-out. I should have (wrestled) at 152. I didn’t want to give up weight or lose weight for football. I wanted to stay bigger, so I went for 160. I had kids that were bigger than me. I hung with the first two kids in the beginning, but at the end of the match I couldn’t pull it out. I wrestled in the Junior freestyle. That was my third year going with the Beebe-Trained (Club). It definitely got me in shape and I’m much faster. … Once football season kicks in, wrestling is out the door. I went to my lake house in (Eagle River) Wisconsin and go muskie fishing all the time. … I like the thrill of finally hooking one.

— Villarreal is a senior linebacker/tight end.