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OUTLOOK
Reed-Custer and Lisle were the division’s only teams with winning records last year, but Manteno will most likely be above .500 this season. Defending Large Division champ Reed-Custer has to overcome the graduation of QB Gavin Johnston, now at Olivet Nazarene. Reed-Custer’s 2007 edition appears talented but woefully inexperienced. Two-year starter Mike Redmann (6-0, 230) will bolster the middle of both lines. Lisle hopes RB Ricardo Lee can help get the Lions to the state playoffs for the seventh straight year. Also counted on is all-conference wide receiver Joe McCarthy. With 18 starters coming back, Manteno could develop into a division power after a 4-5 record last year. LB/RB Jim Sandling, a 6-0, 225-pound senior, is considered by conference coaches to be the best player in the division.
2006 state qualifiers:
Reed-Custer, 3A round 2
Lisle, 3A round 1
Top players in conference:
MANTENO
Jim Sandling LB/RB 6-0 225
REED-CUSTER
Mike Redmann G/NT 6-0 230
LISLE
Joe McCarthy WR 5-9 170
Others to watch:
HERSCHER
Kyle Koerner DB/WR 6-1 180
Sean Lockwood OL/DL 6-1 220
LISLE
Ricardo Lee RB 5-8 175
Brandon Wessel G/DT 6-0 220
MANTENO
Cody Benoit OT/DT 6-2 270
Anthony Benegas WR/LB 6-1 190
PEOTONE
Luke Jackson RB 5-10 165
Ben Zwolinski OT/DT 6-3 280
R.J. Nugent TE/DE 6-1 220
REED-CUSTER
Jake Bolatto TE/DE 6-3 245
Tim VanDuyne WR/DB 6-0 165
Dale Strohm G/DT 6-1 215
SANDWICH
Zach Naramore LB 5-9 160
Billy Carroll DE 6-5 190
Jordan Liepins OT 6-5 260
Key games:
Sept. 28: Reed-Custer at Lisle
Oct. 5: Manteno at Reed-Custer
Oct. 12: Manteno at Lisle
Predicted finish:
Reed-Custer
Lisle
Manteno
Peotone
Sandwich
Herscher
Conference capsule previews were compiled by Craig Brueske, Phil English, Ross Forman, Tim Hilton, Bob Hurst, Jack McCarthy, Steve Reaven, Steve Repsys, Jonathan Schoenberg, Bob Skolnik and Tim Tierney.
