Outlook: Lane Tech and Young will battle for the section title. Three-time defending champ Young must overcome the loss of size and experience on the lines. Lane Tech hits the ground running with three tough non-conference foes.
1995 state qualifiers: Young (first round).
Quotable: Lane Tech coach Bob Karlov: “We don’t have a weak team in our section. We have to re-establish ourselves.”
Players to watch: Nate Kehrein (LB, 6-1, 210), Charles Okoye (QB/FS, 6-0, 165), Mark Perres (DE, 6-0, 215), Lane Tech; Maurice Gray (TB, 5-8, 185), Kenny Preyar (C/DT, 5-5, 210), Brandon Young (RB/SS, 5-9, 165), Sean Morris (RB/CB, 5-8, 150), Young; Jamail Kern (RB/LB, 6-1, 185), Martin Kern (WR/DB, 6-0, 165), Steinmetz; Brett Nishibayashi (RB/DB, 5-6, 150), Chris Hoffman (QB, 6-0, 155), Taft; Tim Kato (RB/LB, 5-9, 185), Kevin Edwards (LB, 5-8, 205), Cornel Shorter (TE/DT, 6-3, 190), Foreman; Bart Drozd (OT/DT, 6-4, 240), Saul Castenada (G/DT, 5-11, 260), Schurz.
Key games: Lane vs. Steinmetz at Hanson, Sept. 21; Taft at Lane, Oct. 5; Young at Lane, Oct. 11; Young vs. Steinmetz at Hanson, Oct. 18.
Predicted ’96 finish: Lane Tech, Young, Steinmetz, Taft, Schurz, Foreman.
