Highland Park’s visit to Chicago Bears training camp on July 27 was more than a thrill for junior linebacker Tyler Gleyzer.
The opportunity to see professional players work provided a valuable lesson for him.
“They go full-out all the time,” Gleyzer said. “I felt like we have to mirror this. This is something we have to do.”
The Giants plan to use what they learned at Halas Hall in Lake Forest and the experience they gained a year ago, when 12 sophomores started, to pursue the Central Suburban North title and more this season.
“We’re going to win conference, make the playoffs and beat Deerfield,” Gleyzer said, referring to Highland Park’s Township High School District 113 rival.
Deerfield beat the Giants 35-6 and won the Central Suburban North last season. The teams will meet in Deerfield on Sept. 30.
Highland Park’s season starts with a home game against Leyden on Aug. 26, not quite two months after the mass shooting at the city’s Fourth of July parade. School administration limited discussion for this story to football.
First-year coach Anthony Kopp, a former Highland Park quarterback who was promoted from offensive coordinator in June, also took note of how the Bears practice and intends to implement that into the Giants’ workouts. He has high expectations for this season.
“We’re going to push them every day to work like the Bears,” Kopp said. “If we strive for that, we can do anything. We want to be one of the final eight teams at state.”
The Giants’ work began long before Bears training camp, however. Since the 2021 season ended, Gleyzer and his teammates spent time in the weight room getting stronger and quicker.
“Now the juniors are ready to step up as leaders,” senior wide receiver Emmet Pulte said. “They learned a lot as sophomores. We’ve all gotten better and stronger.”
Among those juniors is quarterback David Finfer. At this point last year, Finfer didn’t anticipate starting at quarterback, but he moved into the role as the season progressed. He said he’s ready to lead the offense.
“That experienced really helped,” Finfer said. “Now I am much more vocal as a leader. We’re going to hit the ground running.”
Other juniors whom Kopp expects to contribute include wide receiver/defensive back Nicholas Blumer, wide receiver/defensive back Andrew Cortes, two-way lineman Larry Jenkins, running back/cornerback Nikko Rosenbloom and offensive lineman Eli Secher.
Kopp said all elements of Gleyzer’s play have improved. He is “bigger, stronger, faster and smarter” than he was a year ago, Kopp said.
Pulte and junior quarterback David Finfer said they like how Gleyzer dissects offenses, gets to the ball and makes tackles with an exclamation point.
“You get free, and everything feels great,” Gleyzer said. “It’s what we have to do to win the battle.”
Steve Sadin is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Team: Highland Park.
2021 record: 4-5.
Offensive leaders: David Finfer, junior, quarterback; Emmet Pulte, senior, wide receiver; Nikko Rosenbloom, junior, running back; Eli Secher, junior, offensive line.
Defensive leaders: Tyler Gleyzer, junior, linebacker; Larry Jenkins, junior, defensive lineman; Jacques Marks, senior, defensive lineman.
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