1995-96 Varsity Football Team

The 1995-96 Pirate Football Team finished their regular season a perfect 9-0, eventually finishing with 11 wins and 1 loss, the most victories in school history at the time, and with a quarterfinal finish in the 5A IHSA Playoffs. The Pirates won the first outright NCIC Northeast Division title since 1971, outscoring conference opponents 148-38. The Pirates were coached by Illinois Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Coach Tim Jobst and led by All-State fullback Ryan Nevins. Nevins was one of 9 Pirate team members to receive NCIC first team honors, being joined by guard Jason Conforti, end Albert Banushi, quarterback Grant Myers, defensive tackle Kyle Jakubek, cornerback Brent Allen, and linebackers Derek Schaefer, Dan Liebhart, and Ryan Bretag. Nick Allen won the team’s Ken Curl Award, Jason Conforti the Bill Novak Award, Darin Crask the Rick Warden Award, Dan Liebhart the Tim Vegryzn Award for defense, Ryan Nevins the Tim Woosley MVP Award, and Ryan Nevins and Tom Hart were named honorary co-captains. Other team members were Ray Bailey, Brian DeWalt, Joel Hortega, Butch Carretto, Adam Shea, Robert Ameday, Mike Angell, Ron Baudino, Luke Caruso, Nick Cechowicz, Jason Constantine, Tim Emanuelson, Clay Glaser, Juan Gutierrez, Adam Haase, Scott Hardee, Josiah Hortega, Ryan Miller, Rod Newell, Toby Niccum, Matt O’Connell, Adam Poutre, Joe Rasmussen, Terrell Redmond, Ryan Rossiter, Josh Rudnicky, Will Shane, Jared Stewart, Josh Watland, Chris Sprowls, student trainer Brad Hudkins, equipment manager Craig Miller, athletic trainer Joe Haywood, and assistant coaches Dan Clausen, Trent Swords, Tony Morgan, and Gordy Kirkman.