Outlook: This conference placed four teams in last year’s playoffs and again features balance. But defending champion Waubonsie Valley, with 13 returning starters from last year’s 9-3 team, has the edge. Lake Park returns 11 starters and could challenge.
1994 state qualifiers: St. Charles (Class 6A quarterfinals), Waubonsie Valley (Class 6A quarterfinals), West Aurora (second round), Lake Park (second round).
Quotable: St. Charles coach Buck Drach: “Our juniors haven’t lost a game since the seventh grade, and I expect we’ll have a junior-oriented squad this year.”
Key games: Lake Park at St. Charles, Sept. 8; Lake Park at Waubonsie Valley, Sept. 22; St. Charles at Waubonsie, Oct. 20.
Players to watch: R.J. Luke (TE, 6-3, 218), Jeff Winiarski (OT, 6-3, 295), Anthony Vasconez (QB, 6-0, 185), Herschel Dixon (RB, 5-10, 190), Waubonsie Valley; Ryan Dannhorn (DE/OG, 6-2, 190), Elgin; Joe Howell (TB, 6-2, 205), West Aurora; David Mikes (DB/WR, 5-9, 170), Shawn Zilch (RB, 5-9, 165), Lake Park; Landon Faivre (QB, 5-11, 175), De Kalb; Terry Kennedy (RB, 6-0, 195), Larkin; Steve O’Neil (LB, 5-11, 200), Kevin Cohoon (RB, 5-10, 165), St. Charles.
Predicted ’95 finish: Waubonsie Valley, Lake Park, St. Charles, West Aurora, Larkin, Elgin, De Kalb, Streamwood, East Aurora.
