Although it has not had a winning season since 1980, Stagg is being tagged as the team to beat in the South Inter-Conference Association North Division.
Stagg was 2-4 in the conference last season and 3-6 overall, but has 10 starters back and an abundance of skill-position players, including quarterback Elvis Turkovich, tailback Jay White and junior running back Mike Muersch. Linebacker Darren Neputy (6 feet 2 inches, 210 pounds) will share the fullback duties with Ken Kaminski (5-9, 170).
”The one thing we have offensively is that we`re at least two-deep in the skill positions,” Stagg coach Ray Beavers said. ”I can say that we have two first teams.”
Guards Tony Barr (5-10, 185) and Carey Lauder (5-10, 225), center Ron Morgan (5-10, 185) and tackle Mike Strezo (6-5, 250) return to form the backbone of a run-oriented offense that Beavers hopes will carry Stagg to a championship. That task is made easier since defending champ Richards (6-0, 10-2) and second-place Sandburg face rebuilding years.
”Stagg is the favorite on paper,” said Richards coach Gary Korhonen.
”And Reavis has as many starters back as anyone. We don`t have a whole lot of starters back from last year, but we do have kids with a lot of experience because we were ahead in a lot of games last year.”
Tailback Ronnie McGee, Richards` top rusher last season with almost 700 yards, will run behind a solid line anchored by Ed Thomas (6-2, 245), the only other mainstay back on offense.
Reavis has 14 players who started at least half of its games last season and likely could regain its status as a conference power after finishing 3-3 last season.
The Rams` strength lies in their experienced offensive line, led by tackle David Dunne (6-4, 240), guard Ron Lira (6-1, 240) and center Joe Bernardy (5-10, 215).
Sandburg, which lost 13-0 to eventual state champion East St. Louis in the Class 6A quarterfinals last year, has no starters back on offense and four on defense, including outside linebackers Dave Smietanski and Jeff Anderson.
Fullback-linebacker Pat Hayes (6-1, 200) and nose guard Scott Cappos lead nine returning starters at Oak Lawn, 4-2 last year.
SICA WEST
Bolingbrook and Lockport appear headed for another showdown for the title. Both finished 5-1 in conference play last season, but Bolingbrook took the title by virtue of its victory over Lockport.
The Porters` fate depends largely on the development of quarterback Dave Mitidiero, a 6-7 220-pound senior who will be throwing the ball to tall wide receivers Jon Manly (6-3 215) and John Kooi (6-5, 210). Manley caught 40 passes for almost 800 yards last season. Paul Kosnar (6-2, 205) and John Kapeluck (6-0, 210) head a core of five backs that will see extensive action. The defense has seven players back, including linebackers Kosnar and Kapeluck. Bolingbrook has some standouts of its own, including four three-year starters–wide receiver Brian Smith, guard John Novak (6-0, 195), linebacker and kicker Yale Acton (6-1, 215) and defensive back Neal Hermanson.
In addition, the Raiders add Lamont White (5-10, 175) to their backfield. White, a transfer from Lisle, rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season.
”We`re confident, not cocky,” said Bolingbrook coach Phil Acton.
With bruising fullback Scott Andrews and some experienced blockers, Lincoln-Way is a darkhorse candidate. Joliet West has picked up two transfers, linebacker George Priolovos (Homewood-Flossmoor) and nose guard Todd Taylor
(Joliet Catholic), to go along with outstanding linebacker Walt Robinson, and may surprise some people.
Mike O`Neill, former coach at St. Laurence, has taken over the coaching duties at Andrew and has the league`s only returning quarterback, Chris Lipinski (6-2, 180). But O`Neill must put together an offensive line to protect Lipinski if Andrew is to imprve on its 1-5 mark.
SICA EAST
The division will have a new look this year with four new coaches: John Wheatley, Thornwood; Mike Mecozzi, Bloom Trail; John Wrenn, Homewood-Flossmoor; and Bill Mosel, Thornton.
Wheatley appears to have inherited a title contender. The Thunderbirds return almost their entire defense from last year`s team that tied Eisenhower for the conference title at 5-1.
Eisenhower, on the other hand, has just one offensive starter back–guard Joargy Arroyo–but does return five on defense.
”I feel comfortable about our chances,” Eisenhower coach James Cygan said. ”We don`t have the blazing speed, but we have quickness in other areas like the offensive line, where we didn`t have it last year.”
Thornridge, the league`s third playoff team last year, is also eyeing the top spot, but, like Eisenhower, is inexperienced on offense. Its defense, headed by linebacker LaVance Wells (6-3, 180) and his brother, defensive end Curtis (6-4, 185), is solid. LaVance will also be a running back.
”Our offensive line is a big question mark,” Thornridge coach Harold Olson said. ”Our defense is going to have to come through for us until we get our offense together. Thornwood has so many people back on defense that they`re probably one class level above us. The rest of us are all fighting together.”
SICA SOUTH
Rich Central coach Bill Sneddon will find out in a hurry if his team is worthy of its preseason billing when it takes on defending champion Rich East in the conference opener Oct. 4.
Rich Central is seen as the favorite in what is expected to be a tight race. Sneddon pledges to open things up more offensively this season with quarterback Al Zulanas back at the helm.
”He is a fine, accurate thrower,” Sneddon said. ”We`re going to go for more big plays.”
Rich Central returns 10 starters, including tackle Al Thompkins (6-4, 277) and running back Brian Cobbs.
Rich East`s defense was hit hard by graduation, but coach Bob Lombardi still has a huge offensive line coming back from last year`s 12-1 team that reached the Class 5A semifinals. Tackles Mark Topping (6-3, 250) and Mike Eylander (6-4, 220) will help open plenty of holes.
The only defensive starter back is middle linebacker Eric Nuss.
Crete-Monee, 4-1 last season, has 10 starters back and a strong secondary bolstered by Dwight James and Brian Carlos.
SICA CENTRAL
With only one returning starter on offense, Tinley Park will be hard-pressed to repeat as champions. Last season, Tinley Park finished 4-1, one game ahead of Hillcrest, Thornton Fractional South and Bremen.
All-area receiver Brian Wise is Tinley Park`s only experienced starter on offense, and he is being switched to running back. Still, the Titans` stingy defense is largely intact.
”Our defense is gong to have to keep us in the games until our offense can come around,” said coach Lou Narish.
Once again, the division should be balanced. Even Oak Forest, which lost all five of its conference games last season, should make a run for the title.
