1) Oak Park
The Huskies, with 12 lettermen and 10 starters back from a 10-2 team, are a runaway championship choice in the West Suburban Silver Division. LB-TE Doug Amaya, a two-year all-WSC performer, is one of the top players in the state. QB Brennan Keefe will key the offense with help from FB Marty Hart. Amaya and linebackers Murphy Carroll, Matt McDermott and Steve Dudley key the defense.
2) Mt. Carmel
WR Nate Turner (6-2, 205) can do it all once he gets the ball. Trouble is, he might have to do it all alone if the Caravan can`t halt the spread of chicken pox that has hit all-league noseman John Sawicki and G Junior Guerra. There is talent in the skill positions, but no depth on the offensive line. Sawicki heads a group of defensive returnees that includes Bill Nolan, Terry Ward and Jeff Devine. John Furjanic is the QB.
3) St. Charles
The Saints sailed through the regular season unbeaten last year with a lineup heavy on juniors, especially on offense. They should be the class of the Upstate Eight again with an experienced offensive group led by QB Brian Rogers, RB Curt Reid and C Rick Godfrey (6-3, 225). Drach frets about an inexperienced defense, but FS Steve Weron is one of the best around. St. Charles should be returning to the playoffs.
4) Buffalo Grove
Only three starters return, but last year`s Class 6A semifinalist only had four starters back. DT Jon Gustafsson (6-5, 260) is the biggest player Blaney has had in 14 years. He and LB Jim Wagner, a three-year starter, anchor the always-strong defense. QB Mark Benson compares favorably with his predecessors–Pete Freund, now at Illinois, and Sam Merriott, now at Cornell. Offensive line is a question mark.
5) Glenbrook S.
Only four seniors started last season for the Titans, who still won the Central Suburban North title. LB Erick Anderson was all-conference the last two years and ran for more than 750 yards last fall at FB. Tackles Andy Rhodes (6-1, 255) and Tom Weyhrich are college prospects. WR Walter Cade is a gamebreaker. This year`s juniors lost once as freshmen and sophomores. Injuries could expose depth problems.
6) Schaumburg
Can junior QB Ken Ohlson fill the shoes of graduated Paul Justin, who set all the school passing records? If so, the Saxons should roll. Among 14 returning starters are 6-3 1/2, 240-pound TE Mike Everitt, who caught 31 passes for 686 yards last season, and SE Mike Howlett (30 for 710). The defense has eight starters back. An inexperienced offensive line was made more so when tackle Chris Abbott broke his ankle.
7) Wheaton North
Only a catastrophe could keep the Falcons away from their seventh state playoff appearance. Quarterback is no problem with senior all-state candidate Kent Graham on hand for his third varsity season. There`s also experience in the line with T Mark Neibch, G Dave Neidballa and G Joe Minniti. Like those four, Dave Kooser is a two-way starter. Junior Jeff Kinney, a transfer from De Kalb, is an excellent DB.
8) Maine South
Coach Phil Hopkins claims Gary Francis might be the best QB in the state. If he`s right, the Hawks could be better than last year, when they finished 8-3. ”I have four major-college prospects,” says Hopkins, naming Francis, 6-8, 265-pound T Stan Holsen, 6-3, 260-pound T John Kostrzewa and 6-4, 240-pound G Matt Bourke. Hopkins rates TE Jim Swanson slightly below `85 starter Mark Kubow, now at Vanderbilt.
9) Glenbard West
The Hilltoppers don`t have the size or the depth of West Suburban rival Oak Park, but they should make the playoffs for the ninth time. Coach Jim Covert will have his fastest team led by LB-G Ron Krech and RB Tom
Streitberger. Krech (6-3, 200) was a state track qualifier in the 200 meters. The Hilltoppers will make up for their overall lack of size with speed and quickness. QB Jay Carr (6-4, 200) could be the key.
10) Bolingbrook
The Raiders, 7-3 last season, got a key ingredient for success when Lamont White transferred from Lisle. White rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season. He joins WR Brian Smith, G John Novak, LB Yale Acton and DB Neal Hermanson, all three-year starters. T John Coneset (6-0, 245), and DE Barry Kelley (6-2, 210) add size. ”We`re bigger and faster,” says coach Phil Acton.
THE NEXT TEN
11) Conant
The Cougars finished in a three-way tie for first in the MSL South last season and qualified for the state playoffs. Eight starters return, including three-year regulars Steve Ambrose, a wide receiver, and Darin Buchanan, a 6-3, 241-pound tight end. Lee Borkowski took over at QB the latter part of last season. He will have a strong line in front of him, led by T Ed Niedospial
(6-2, 279) and T Kevin Jacobsen (6-2, 215).
12) New Trier
Charlie Young, who rushed for a school-record 1,329 yards, is gone, but the overall running game might be as strong as last year, when the Trevians were 10-1. FB Burke Sennott gained 688 yards last year and averaged 6.2 yards a carry. If Steve Carlson or Bob Dold develops at QB, the passing game should be superior. Mike Oseland, Tony Heilizer and Peter Henry are quality receivers.
13) Leo
The Lions suffered through a decade of losing seasons before coach Bob Foster turned it around. Leo had its first winning season three years ago and its first playoff berth last season. Six offensive and five defensive starters are back from that 7-4 team, but Foster must decide between QBs Bill Pienias and Mike LaPapa. Foster needs help from a junior class that was 5-4 a year ago.
14) Barrington
If the Broncos can overcome early-season adversity, they should be prime contenders for the MSL North title. Last season`s leading rusher, tailback Mike Bradley, has mononucleosis and is expected to miss at least the first two games. FB Jamie Fischer injured his knee and will miss the opener. When they return, Barrington will have big talent at the skill positions, including QB Dan Wilson.
15) St. Laurence
Gone are six players who were recruited to play Division I. Also gone is head coach Mike O`Neill, who has taken over at Andrew. But the cupboard isn`t bare for incoming coach Bob Fabrizio, who spent 12 years as a Viking assistant. QB Dave Ritter is recovered from a wrist injury last season and Scott Miller, who led the team to the playoffs after Ritter`s injury, may play fullback.
16) Joliet Catholic
Gordy Gillespie is gone but the tradition remains. Jim Boyter takes over for the perennial East Suburban Catholic champion and will have a fine defense headed by LB Ed Rompa (6-0, 225) and T Greg Stariha (5-11, 210). An all-junior backfield, headed by Tyrone Isaac, must come through. Boyter, who cautions Joliet fans not to expect lopsided victories, has been a Joliet assistant since `82.
17) Thornwood
First-year coach John Wheatley welcomed nine of 11 defensive starters and 22 lettermen back from last year`s SICA East co-champion. The Thunderbirds are strong at linebacker with Kevin Kilgallon and Roger Maatman and in the secondary with Floyd Fields, Jason Wilson and Milton Jones. Returnees QB Lerone Sidberry and G Gary Firrantello (6-2, 210) anchor the offense.
18) St. Patrick
The Shamrocks are given a chance to upend Joliet Catholic in the East Suburban Catholic. QB Eddie Thomas, who runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds, will run the option and tailback Curtis Lipsey will be there to take the pitch. Thomas will also pass to all-conference WR Chuck Ward. G Brian Hayes (6-3, 235) and T Carl Kocur (6-0, 215) will open holes for the speedsters. The defense is solid.
19) Downers South
The Mustangs have something to prove after their undefeated regular season was tarnished by a 7-6 loss to Thornwood in the opening round of the playoffs. Eight starters return to pursue the West Suburban Gold title. RB Reggie Thigpen, FB Frank Fulco and WR Tyron Brown are veterans, but QB Shane Kreifel is new to the starting lineup. Five starters are back on defense.
20) Benet
Coach Tim Cederblad believes he has a contender not only for a league title, but for a state title. The Redwings have never had the size, speed and talent they have this year. QB Dave Casey can throw to WR Pat New and T Brendan Bentley (6-3, 265) is one of the area`s best. Linebackers Dan Freveletti, Dave Bushland and Greg Ahern are outstanding.
