1. Neuqua Valley: Wildcats are loaded and won’t be satisfied with anything short of a state title.
2. Lake Zurich: Nick Janus and Tim Kruetz will furnish scoring punch, with first-year starter Tyler Raineri a key in net.
3. Morton: If intensity is turned on, talented Mustangs will be hard to beat.
4. Hinsdale Central: Return bulk of roster from 2008 supersectional qualifier; Jack O’Donnell poised to become latest in long line of solid goalies.
5. Lyons: Billy McGuiness gets plenty of help from future Division I midfielders Chris Meingast and Brian Heimerdinger.
6. Streamwood: Young 2008 squad got a taste of success with school-record 17 wins, but Sabres want to see postseason achievement in ’09.
7. St. Viator: Have to replace entire defense, but talented midfield corps will make it hard for opposition to control the ball.
8. Waukegan: Athletic Bulldogs won’t sneak up on anyone after advancing to Class 3A supersectionals in 2008.
9. Deerfield: Midfielders Connor Holloway and Scott Lakin, both committed to Northwestern, form the Warriors’ core.
10. Hersey: Huskies don’t receive a lot of attention but squad that claimed third straight MSL crown last fall returns virtually intact.
On the verge: Barrington, New Trier, Plainfield Central, St. Charles North, Stevenson
