Michael Vander Luitgaren, No. 8 Batavia’s third-year starting quarterback, knows how important Bulldogs football is to his hometown.
High school football is the heartbeat of Batavia. Vander Luitgaren’s young neighbors construct homemade signs every week and put them in the front window of their house. It is their small contribution to the town’s obsession.
“We say ‘one town, one team’ all the time, and that is how it really feels,” Vander Luitgaren said. “This community is so tight. The connection between the team and the fans couldn’t be any better. Right now I have my head down and am focused on trying to get them a state championship.”
Vander Luitgaren has committed to Wyoming along with teammate Thomas Prescott, a tight end. But there is serious work to be done before heading to college. Batavia coach Dennis Piron, the affable maestro behind the Bulldogs’ success, says he is 99% sure this is his last season. Piron is a Batavia graduate and has been with the program for 38 years, the last 16 as head coach.
“If this is [Piron’s] last year, we have to make it a good one,” Vander Luitgaren said. “We haven’t really been talking about that, but however it goes, we have expectations. There are a lot of guys returning. It is go big or go home. We really want to win a state championship, and if we don’t, it is a bust of a season.”
Vander Luitgaren threw for 2,708 yards and 31 TDs as a junior. The Bulldogs finished 10-3 and lost in the Class 7A semifinals.
Prescott, Western Michigan recruit Darin Ashiru and NIU commit Brennon Zeng comprise the best receiving corps in school history. The offensive line is young, but running back Charlie Rosengren is an excellent receiver and a powerful runner.
“If we can keep [Vander Luitgaren] standing, we are really good,” Piron said. “This is the best skill set I’ve ever seen here, collectively.”
Linebackers Jack Brown, Gavin McElvie and Amaree Daniels return. Brown had 68 tackles and 10 TFLs last season.
“We have a lot of athletes all over the field and we are grinding every day in the weight room,” Prescott said. “Everybody just kind of gets it. We all have the same mentality. We want to win.
Senior Giovanni Colamatteo and junior Luke Gardner lead the secondary.
“We were young last year on defense, so they have a ton of experience,” Piron said. “We will be very quick, especially up front. I’m really pleased with where we are as a team.”
The Bulldogs are breaking in a young offensive line, led by senior Dane Trowbridge.
“I have to command guys and tell them what is going on and be in the same mind space with [the offensive line],” Vander Luitgaren said. “Last year I was very big on extending plays and keeping plays alive. I want to be able to pass from the pocket and get the ball to my guys easier.”
Piron retired from teaching last year and says the football team moms convinced him to stay on for another run.
“Those are CEO moms,” Piron said. “They run all of our football operations, team dinners and special events and 7 on 7 tournaments. They do it all.”
Piron’s teams generally open the season near the top of the rankings, but he clearly has higher expectations for this group than any he’s coached before.
“Get your popcorn ready,” Piron said. “We have guys all over. And most importantly, they are good boys. They are the type of kids you enjoy being around because in their hearts they care. They want to do the right things.”
@michaelsobriensports Batavia checks in at No. 8 in the preseason Super 25. Wyoming recruit Michael Vander Luitgaren hopes to lead the Bulldogs to a state title. #ihsa #football #batavia #wyoming ♬ original sound – michaelsobriensports