Outlook: Five of the eight teams feature new coaches. Bolingbrook not only has a veteran coach in 19-year mentor Phil Acton but also has the best tailback in the conference in Antoineo Harris. After two years away from the playoffs, though, watch for Mike O’Neill’s Andrew Thunderbolts to make a return trip.
1995 state qualifiers: Romeoville (6A semifinals), Bolingbrook (third round), Reavis (first round).
Quotable: Bolingbrook coach Phil Acton: “We had a golf outing for all of the coaches in our conference. I knew there were a few new ones in there, but I didn’t realize there were five until the day we played.”
Players to watch: Reggie Hayward (LB/TE, 6-5, 225), Thornridge; Antoenio Harris (TB, 6-1, 195), Tony Del Angel (FB/LB, 6-2, 225), Andre McGrew (LB, 6-1, 220), Bolingbrook; Aaron McGuire (QB, 5-10, 160), Mark Mayday (CB, 5-10, 165), Andrew; Jack McGreehin (OT, 6-7, 285), Reavis; Rich Burnoski (FB, 5-9, 170), Bob Ervin (DE, 6-1, 215), Romeoville; Marty Gonzalez (DT, 5-11, 225), Bradley.
Key games: Bolingbrook at Andrew, Sept. 27; Romeoville at Bolingbrook, Oct. 5; Reavis at Bolingbrook, Oct. 19; Andrew at Reavis, Oct. 25.
Predicted ’96 finish: Bolingbrook, Andrew, Reavis, Romeoville, Thornridge, Bradley, Shepard, Stagg.
