Like everything in life, its not how you start but how you finish.
Thornwood football hopes it can finish the 2012 football season strong.
The Thunderbirds started last season 4-0, but then the wheels started to fall off as Thornwood lost its next four games. The Thunderbirds ended the season by beating District 205 rival Thornridge 41-0 but it was not enough to qualify for the IHSA playoffs as the T'Brids finished 5-4 overall and 3-4 in the SouthWest Suburban Conference and were on the outside looking in as the IHSA announced its postseason pairings.
One of the reasons was the lack of a strong kicking game, coach Wilber Milhouse said.
"We were in a lot of close games and ball just didn't bounce our way," Milhouse said. "When you are in close games, your kicking and field-goal kicking has to be good."
The Thurnderbirds return four starters (three on offense and one on defense). Three-year starter and quarterback Patrick Bolton leads the offense. Last year, he threw for 1,385 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also rushed for 402 yards. The 6-foot-1 Bolton said he knows what is expected of him with a less experienced team.
"I have to be the leader this year even more then I did last year," Bolton said. "We don't have a lot on defense to start, so all the pressure is on me until our defense catches up."
Thornwood hopes by the end of September it will be primed and ready as the Thunderbirds have two big home games with District 205 rival Thornton and Andrew. Both made the playoffs last year.
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