Mr. Rich Tarka is the new head football coach for the Red Devils’ varsity football team.

Coming in to such a large program might scare away some people, but Tarka doesn’t let such intimidation stand in the way of his aspirations for the team. Tarka has previously been the head coach at Crete-Monee High School and Rich South High School, and has big plans for Hinsdale Central.

Tarka said that although it has been a lot of work, through the help of his other coaches and staff members, he has already been able to ease into the hectic schedule. “We’ve some mistakes, but the attitudes have been good; we have high hopes,” Tarka said. Despite the losses against Glenbard West and Proviso West, the team won against Lyons Township on Sept. 24, and he hopes to continue its winning streak in the upcoming games.

“We still have high hopes for getting to the play-offs and doing well there, and I think the players realize that’s attainable,” Tarka said. The team is working harder than ever to reach that goal.

“We have a lot of players that are doing well for us,” Tarka said. Players that may have been overlooked in the past are being recognized this year and have come into the season looking better than ever and ready to win. In this year alone, new varsity level players and returning players are already stepping up to the plate and pushing themselves to succeed and reach the team’s goals.

“We always set the goal to be state champions and every year, whether it’s attainable or not, we set ourselves high and work hard for it and hope things will happen,” Tarka said.

Every Friday when the red and white jerseys fill the school, Tarka will be preparing to raise the 5-3 record that is starting off the season.