Athleticism and good football genes run through Byron’s football team

BYRON, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Here we are starting a new high school football season, and the Byron Tigers are ready to go after another state championship. They’ve won three in the last five years in Class 3A.

Their deck has been shuffled a bit in terms of their roster, but the Tigers still appear to have a full house of talent.

Not many teams could lose talents like Caden Considine and Andrew Talbert at the 3A level and bounce right back with enough talent to potentially go after another state championship. This team could.

“Our team is really deep athletically," said Byron tight end/defensive end Will Julian before a recent practice. "We lost Talbert and Considine, they're big players, but we’re pretty deep, and I think we can make a great big run this year.”

The players on this team have football genes in their families. Most of them have older brothers or fathers or grandfathers who played on great Byron teams.

“My dad, he was on the state championship team in ’99, " said Julian.

Quarterback Denton Shank has two family members who played on great Byron teams. “My dad played on the ’89 team, Scott Shank, and he’s always been on me about football, and Ayden Shank, my brother, he was quarterback for the ’23 state team.”

This team has a bounty of athletes with excellent speed.

“It’s certainly showing up in practice," said head coach Jeff Boyer. "You can see the team’s speed on defense. We’ve got some kids that can run.”

Starting with junior running back Landon Bonvallet, he just set the school record for the 40-yard dash with a 4.50. Bonvallet showed glimpses last year of what he can do. With Considine and Talbert gone, he’ll really get a chance to show what he can do now.

Seniors Cole Aken and J.J. Edmonson are two more backs with outstanding speed. Dylan Dach and Jayce Keesee will handle the fullback spot. Replacing Talbert at quarterback is senior Denton Shank. He’s not the runner Talbert is, but then who is? But Shank brings good passing ability to the offense, and he knows he is surrounded by lots of weapons.

“I have so much talent round me, so I’m not worried about filling someone’s shoes. We had two scrimmages before this, so I feel really comfortable.”

Head coach Jeff Boyer couldn't be happier with what Shank has been showing in practices. “He’s obviously a different style quarterback than what we’ve had in the last few years, but I can’t say enough good things about what he’s done so far in practice.”

The Tigers also appear to be in good shape on the lines. Boyer says good depth will allow him the luxury of rotating some players in those spots.

“We’re solid all the way across the board, and we have some kids that are backups that most years they’d be starters on most teams.”

Some of those linemen include Jack Jenniges, Wyatt King, Riley Boyer, Dylan Nelson and Brady Kann.

On defense, Will Julen and long, athletic sophomore Brooks Auker will be bringing heat from the end positions. Big Anthony Materazzo will clog the middle of the line.

The Tigers’ leading tackler last year Ben Hively is back at middle linebacker. Bo Lundquist has good upside at outside linebacker. Edmonson will patrol centerfield at free safety.

For coverage of Byron and of high school football throughout the 815 this season, watch 'Overtime' Friday nights on FOX 39. It can also be seen on the MyStateline+ app and on all of our digital media.

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