1. Naperville Central
COMMENT: Defending Class 6A champion returns nine starters from a dominating defense that yielded 12.5 points a game in an undefeated season and gains DT Chris Hill (6-3, 250), a move-in from Ohio. Redhawk seniors have won 23 straight games, and the juniors were 9-0 on the sophomore level. Looking to replace All-State RB Ryan Clifford is junior Kyle Griffith.
TITLE HOPES: If key players (QB Owen Daniels, WR Kevin Noel, DT Joe Alvarez, LB Ryan Amberson) stay healthy and coach Joe Bunge develops an offensive line.
2. Lincoln-Way
COMMENT: Knights return 15 starters from 6A semifinalist, led by Washington recruit Casey Paus, who passed for 2,298 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Balancing the offense will be RBs Joe Schimmel and Lou Foytik. Jeff Gremley and LB Joe Bendoraitis head up a defense second only to Naperville Central.
TITLE HOPES: If Knights complete undefeated season and secure playoff berth at the opposite end of Naperville Central.
3. Mt. Carmel
COMMENT: Shooting for its fourth state title in the last five years, the two-time defending 5A champion reloads with eight returning starters and a promising 6-4, 200-pound junior QB named John Mulchrone. The Caravan’s linemen are smaller than last year, but that shouldn’t slow down returning RBs Donald Dorham and Marty Quinn.
TITLE HOPES: If the seniors don’t get complacent.
4. Marian Catholic
COMMENT: Could supplant Joliet Catholic as champion of Catholic Metro White with coach Dave Mattio’s best team since the Spartans won 4A title in 1993. Eleven starters are back from last year’s 5A runner-up, including RB Deon Bradley, QB Mike Gavin and DB Eric Papp.
TITLE HOPES: If Spartans, who’d love nothing better than 5A title rematch with Mt. Carmel, can rebuild offensive line.
5. Joliet Catholic
COMMENT: Defending 4A champion is ready for a repeat thanks to a huge offensive line and RBs J.R. Zwierzynski and Chris Gruber. However, preseason injuries to C Anthony Hickey (6-2, 245), OT Kris Anastopoulos (6-7, 295) and Shawn Garland could slow the Hilltoppers. Anastopoulos is expected to miss the first three games, and the other two are questionable for the season opener.
TITLE HOPES: If Hilltoppers can replace graduated QB Mark Sopko.
6. Naperville North
COMMENT: RBs Kevin Hahn, Bill Jurjovec and Steve Sarm return to support new QB Jay McCareins, who is drawing interest from Vanderbilt. Defense is led by Jon Boyajian, DT Justin Bartl (5-10, 260) and junior LB David Choi, who “hits like a runaway freight train,” according to Huskies coach Larry McKeon.
TITLE HOPES: If McKeon can develop an offensive line.
7. Schaumburg
COMMENT: The 6A runner-up should be equally as formidable with Steve Kolodziej (2,000 passing yards and 17 TDs in ’99) aiming for WR Tom Bart, who is hailed as one of the best in Illinois by coach Tom Cerasani. Defense should be quite stingy with DE John Sloan, LBs Dan Fitzharris, Kurt Holler and Matt Brownley plus the aptly named DB Eric Von Schaumburg.
TITLE HOPES: If Kolodziej has a season reminiscent of ex-Saxon QB Kurt Kittner, now starring at Illinois.
8. Bolingbrook
COMMENT: Known for its speed, Bolingbrook will be even faster than usual thanks to 800-meter relay finalists Sedrick Davenport, John Nicholson and DB Josh Taylor. Next up to continue the tradition of 1,000-yard rushers at “Tailback High” is 6-2, 200-pound sophomore T.J. Johnson, who will be running behind 6-8, 320-pound junior Joe Szczepanik
TITLE HOPES: If Raiders can develop a quarterback to harness the team’s natural resources.
9. Providence
COMMENT: Absence of big-name players may have opponents underestimating these Celtics. Britt Cleveland, WR Luke Lokanc, QB Steve Quigley and G Brian Lydigsen (6-2, 250) are the primary reasons Providence could improve on last year’s semifinal advancement.
TITLE HOPES: If Celtics come up with a running attack to balance Quigley’s passing.
10. Rolling Meadows
COMMENT: Potential to be the best team in school history with 10 returnees from last year’s playoff qualifier led by Illinois recruits Abe Jones (2,238 yards and 30 TDs) and Rob Needham. Jones will run behind Needham and Kurt Gersch (6-0, 265) with physical QB Joe Wright (6-1, 215), who’s also a good blocker.
TITLE HOPES: If defense can make Jones’ exploits hold up.
11. Morris
COMMENT: After coming within a missed field goal of knocking off Joliet Catholic in the 4A quarterfinals, the Redskins are ready to win their first championship since ’84. Watch for RBs Brian Perry and Erick Straight to run wild behind Kyle Rowley, Mike Englert and OT Pat Phillips (6-2, 285).
TITLE HOPES: If full-house backfield scheme enjoys same success as Joliet Catholic’s double-wing attack.
12. Hinsdale Central
COMMENT: Red Devils hope RB John Perkowksi picks up the slack for graduated All-Stater Mike Mangan. Pete DeBruin will be out until midseason with a hip injury. Senior class, featuring FB Collins Schude, LB Phil Reiff (6-3, 220), DB Neal Sauerberg, DE Jon Yochim (6-2, 235) and DT Joe Giammanco (6-1, 215) has gone 17-1-1 the last two seasons, and the current juniors were 9-0 on the sophomore level.
TITLE HOPES: If Devils learn from mistakes of last year’s first-round playoff loss to No. 30 seed York.
13. Downers Grove South
COMMENT: Keep an eye on 6-4, 180-pound junior QB Mike Cuzzone, returning from a broken collarbone suffered in the third game last season. Other offensive threats are TB Jay Moore and WR Kent Hughes. Quince Holman and DTs Chris Reid (6-2, 225) and Paul Niznik (5-11, 230) return from a defense that gave up just nine points per game.
TITLE HOPES: If Cuzzone stays out of harm’s way.
14. Addison Trail
COMMENT: With 13 returning starters, this might be school’s best since 6A runner-up in ’97. Illinois recruit Lionel Williams will play multiple positions, reminiscent of ex-Proviso East All-Stater Phil Macklin. Junior RBs Joe Robinson and Joe Hausherr provide balance to Brechin’s passing.
TITLE HOPES: If Williams can dominate on both sides of the ball.
15. Wheaton Warrenville South
COMMENT: Tigers will reload behind Brett Bell, the Chicago area’s top uncommitted recruit who will bring his sprinter’s speed to the backfield this season. Nate Odom returns from an injury last year and switches from LB to offense. Wheaton South could start four sophomores and 12 juniors.
TITLE HOPES: If sophomores at DT–Chris Flores (6-2, 235) and Tyler Trice (5-11, 250)–sophomore WR Brett Adamson and junior OTs Aaron Heath (6-2, 260) and David Flaatten (6-5, 240) grow up in a hurry.
16. Thornton
COMMENT: Who’s next in the line of game-breaking QBs after Antwaan Randle El (Indiana), Dontrell Jackson (Ohio) and last year’s All-Stater, Stafford Owens? It’s either senior Ahmad Harris, junior Anthony Williams or sophomore Antonio Tribble. The Wildcat attack will revolve around breakaway threats James Cooper and Desean Davidson.
TITLE HOPES: If defense led by Daryl McNeil and Jeremy Washington come through.
17. New Trier
COMMENT: Figures to battle Maine South for Central Suburban South crown with 12 starters back from an 8-2 team that lost to Glenbard East in its playoff opener. Senior Simon Burk or junior Mike Duda will attempt to replace Tribune Athlete of the Year Matt Lottich, now at Stanford.
TITLE HOPES: If Trevians can overcome early-round playoff disappointments.
18. Oswego
COMMENT: Nobody took Panthers seriously last season until they advanced to the 5A semifinals and lost to eventual champ Mt. Carmel. Ten starters return from that unheralded bunch, including RB Jay Graziano, DT Tim Staffeldt (5-11, 255), DE Jody Sharp, OT Randy Stone (6-2, 285) and G Zack Hesslebaum (5-9, 235).
TITLE HOPES: If offense is improved over last year.
19. Lake Park
COMMENT: Looking to follow up last year’s run to the 6A quarterfinals with seven returning starters on defense, led by LB/RB Nick Ewen, DB Tom Rotenberry and DT Dan Degan. Edges out St. Charles East as the favorite in the Upstate Eight.
TITLE HOPES: If traditional powers overlook this emerging program.
20. Maine South
COMMENT: Hawks will rely on the quickness of RB Corey Norman, WR Joe Sergo and DB Josh Gelula. QB Shawn Kain looked good in the off-season. Jeremy Arbuthnot, Magiera, DT Ken Triptow (5-10, 235) and LB Kevin Sherlock (5-11, 225) will handle the physical stuff.
TITLE HOPES: If overall team speed lives up to advance billing.
