Outlook: McHenry coach Mike Noll has 12 starters back from last year’s team, unbeaten in the league. Crystal Lake South, Crystal Lake Central and Woodstock are at the next level; Lake Zurich and Cary-Grove could surprise.
State qualifiers: Lake Zurich (second round), McHenry (first round), Crystal Lake South (first round).
Quotable: McHenry coach Mike Noll: “This is the most starters back we’ve ever had and the caliber is different than we’ve ever had.”
Players to watch: Jace Sayler (TE, 6-5, 255), Dan Phillips (LB, 6-1, 239), Al Wilson (FS/WB, 5-11, 180), McHenry; Bert Merlo (C, 6-4, 240), Jeff Chiles (QB, 6-2, 175), Crystal Lake South; Chuck Lowitzki (FB/LB, 5-10, 220), Jeff Babington (WR, 6-3, 205), Rashad McDade (DB, 5-11, 150), Rob Evans (QB, 6-0, 165), Cary-Grove; Tim Sikes (OG, 6-2, 265), Thor Silverson (DE/TE, 6-9, 235), Lake Zurich; Cory Ungaro (RB, 5-8, 145), Woodstock; Brian Koppen (L, 6-7, 295), Dundee Crown.
Key games: Crystal Lake South at Crystal Lake Central, Sept. 20; McHenry at Crystal Lake Central, Oct. 4; Crystal Lake South at McHenry, Oct. 18.
Predicted ’96 finish: McHenry, Crystal Lake South, Crystal Lake Central, Woodstock, Lake Zurich, Cary-Grove, Dundee Crown, Jacobs.
