– Fremd will have a difficult time in the Mid-Suburban North with only three starters returning from last season`s 5-4 squad. But one of them, 6-4, 212-pound DB/WR Johan Dinkelman, is a player to watch. He recently came to the U.S. from South Africa.
– The MSL continues to be labeled one of the toughest conferences in the state. ”This conference is so strong, it doesn`t allow anyone to look past any team,” Fremd coach Joe Samojedny said.
Buffalo Grove coach Rich Roberts agreed. ”The MSL is one of the toughest conferences in the state week in and week out,” he said. ”If you`re not prepared to play every week, you`re in trouble.”
– Oak Park coach Gary Olson hopes his Huskies can improve on last year`s 3-6 record for a very good reason: ”We better improve on 3-6 or I`ll lose my job, quite frankly,” Olson said only half-jokingly.
There`s a good chance Olson will be around in 1991. Oak Park returns 14 starters, including the running back tandem of Eric Johnson (5-11, 190) and Maurice Randle (5-8, 160). Jeff Fort will start at quarterback. Fort could get some firsthand knowledge about avoiding defenders from new brother-in-law Eric Kumerow of the Miami Dolphins.
– Coach Paul Parpet`s Addison Trail team returns 14 lettermen-and that could be enough to make the Blazers the top team over Downers Grove South in the West Suburban Gold.
Four three-year starters provide Addison Trail with a good nucleus on both sides of the ball. The offense will revolve around running back James Dorsey (6-1, 190), who gained more than 1,000 yards last year and led the conference in interceptions. Nick VaValle (6-0, 215) provides balance at fullback. Jason Failla (5-11, 175) will do the handing off and possesses a strong arm. On defense, VaValle and Jim DiDominico (6-0, 215) lead the way.
”They`re like clones,” Parpet says. Add defensive end John Lykouretzos
(6-4, 240) to the mix to form a fine defense.
Downers Grove South has won or tied for the league title six straight years and should be right there again this year. Senior quarterback Chris Neumann (6-2, 180) will run the offense and, when it gets close, kick his way to three points. As a junior, Neumann was hitting from 40 yards out as a kicker. Chris Higham (6-2, 180) has a 30-inch vertical jump and will be the No. 1 receiver. Higham also is the team`s punter and is a Division I prospect at that position. On defense, Dan Mellish (6-0, 185) and Paul Dirienzo (6-0, 180) anchor the secondary. Randy Vlach (5-11, 190) returns at defensive end.
