Niles North coach Paul Giambeluca says Lake Forest and Stevenson have the best personnel in the North Suburban Conference this year. But the defending co-champion Vikings are hardly lacking in talent themselves.
Giambeluca returns his entire passing game, led by senior quarterback Eric Slowik, who passed for more than 1,800 yards last season and was named the league`s player of the year. ”His arm is much stronger than last year, and he already knows how to attack defenses,” Giambeluca said. Slowik`s favorite targets will likely be seniors Mike Dietz and Steve Sand, who scored 15 touchdowns between them last season.
Only two Viking defensive starters return, so offensive linemen Jim Benjamin (6-3, 175) and Azim Ali (6-0, 200) are moving to defense. That means the offensive line needs to be rebuilt to allow Slowik time to throw.
Lake Forest has a new coach for the first time in 26 years. Tom Myers takes over for George Barry, who retired. ”I hope to stay around as long as he did,” said Myers.
The Scouts shared the league title last year and return five key seniors: Quarterback Matt Sloan, who will run the option again; split end-free safety John Jackson; halfback Dean Baldwin; tight end Doug Casey (6-5, 170) and offensive tackle Dan Mulligan (6-3, 235). Lake Forest has to replace nine starters on defense; backs Scott Grispo and Jeff Pezza, along with Jackson, are the mainstays.
Stevenson has six defensive starters returning from last year`s playoff qualifier, led by junior linebacker Chris Holder, all-conference as a sophomore. The offense features another junior, fullback Cliff King and the line is anchored by center Dave Doetsch (6-2, 235).
Antioch will be led by wide receiver-cornerback Scott Gooch and tailback David Wick and Libertyville will be led by tackle Mike Bystol (6-3, 230) and halfback-safety Brian Paramski. Warren, the fourth league team to qualify for the playoffs last year, returns quarterback Derek Shelton.
Private League
With defending champion Providence having moved to the West Suburban Catholic Conference, Private School League coaches can`t wait for the season to begin. ”It`s nice that we can all aim at first place instead of thinking about second,” said Luther North coach Joel Bode.
Walther Lutheran looks good, with several seniors who were promoted to the varsity as sophomores two years ago. They were 2-7 then but improved to 5-4 last year and now figure to challenge for the title. The Broncos are led by quarterback Jeff Braun, who threw for more than 2,000 yards last season, mostly to wide receiver Eric Baugh and tight end Jim Kolzow.
Aurora Central, with first-year coach Mike Curry, also figures to contend with quarterback Jim Buss and wide receivers Chuck Meredith and Darren Meyers. Luther North is led by running back Eric Hamer and linebackers Dan Borchers and Jose Gonzalez.
Fox Valley
Four teams have a legitimate shot at the title, including defending champion Crystal Lake Central, which has eight starters back. The Tigers (5-5, 5-1) boast a strong line and a fine backfield led by Bill Shumaker, although quarterback is a question mark.
Dundee-Crown (7-3, 5-1) should be strong again thanks to a dominating defense that gave up just 3.2 points a game last season. That unit is led by tackle David Alters, end Jeff Kamp and strong safety Jerry Foresman, all seniors. Crystal Lake South (9-4, 4-2) will rely on its offensive tandem of QB John Przybyla and fullback Steve Rokusek.
Look for Cary-Grove to run, run, run. It has two all-conference running backs, Ted Rohlwig and Tylor Hirsch, and possibly the league`s top lineman in Mike Jordan (6-5,220). McHenry hopes to improve behind all-conference tailback Mike Boland.
Little Seven
After an uncharacteristic fourth-place finish, Morris is once again ready to challenge for the title. But co-champions Plainfield and Oswego aren`t ready to step aside just yet.
Everyone is talking about the size at Plainfield (8-2, 6-1). That includes center-defensive tackle Jeff Hiller (6-5, 235), tackle Adam Schmidt
(6-5, 255), tackle Chris Cozzi (6-3, 235) and linebacker Matt DeSutter
(6-2, 220). Morris (5-4, 4-3) has a sound quarterback in junior Jason Knapp. Other top Redskins include a group of seniors, two-way tackle Jim Watson (6-4, 240), linebacker-punter Rob Stapp and linebacker Jeff Reents.
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W. Sub. Catholic
Three-time defending champion Benet is favored to win its fourth straight title. Providence, 8-2 overall and 6-0 in the Private School League last season, will be playing in the conference for the first time. The Celtics will be led by tight end-linebacker Kevin Kickels, guard Mark Burcar (5-11, 235), center Dan Ciszek and tailback John Martin.
St. Edward (3-6, 1-5) has a new coach in Don Huber. Senior free safety David Roy (6-3, 200) will double as quarterback because senior Brian Karom`s broken hand will keep him out at least six weeks.
NW Suburban
Defending Class 2A champ Marian Central Catholic (12-2, 6-1), which finished second in the league to Grant (9-1, 7-0), is confident. The Hurricanes have every right to be. Leading one of the area`s slickest backfields is senior quarterback Jim Hartlieb, who threw for 18 TDs last year. Halfback Tom Parsley (1,150 yards rushing, 300 receiving) and fullback Tony Lawrence (1,050 rushing) also return.
Marengo (5-4, 4-3), averaging more than 230 pounds per offensive lineman, figures to stand its ground with anyone in the league. Senior Jay Pace (6-5, 254) and juniors Jim Lohft (6-5, 240), Al Barble (5-6, 265), John Branch (6-1, 205) and Mark Andrews (6-1, 185) will pave the way for senior fullback Mike Trotz and senior halfback Shane Rankins.
Round Lake (5-4, 4-3) may field the best squad in the school`s history with Todd Collis calling the signals senior tackles Joe Belcher (6-3, 245) and Lester Wiltfong (6-5, 265). Grant has seven starters returning, including tailback Kevin Frystak, who gained 1,006 yards rushing last year.
Northeast
Lisle and Minooka are the favorites. Lisle derives its strength from a large supply of underclassmen. Minooka relies on talented veterans at the skill positions.
Last year, Lisle (6-4, 4-2) finished third in the conference behind Minooka and champion Herscher. Herscher has since become an independent.
Lisle returns just two starters and will have to depend on junior quarterback Taz Stevens (6-2, 180) and state champion wrestler-turned-linebacker Razmic Khelghation (5-10, 170). Minooka returns all-conference middle linebacker Todd Reische (6-1, 190). Elmwood Park will be led by quarterback Mike Bolis.
Big Eight
Richmond-Burton has should win the conference title for the seventh year in a row. Returning are running backs Chris Steadman, who broke his ankle in the third game of last season, Brock Komar and Terry Pauley, plus a talented defense. Harvard should rebound from last season`s disappointing 4-5 record behind a big offensive line led by tackle Rich Koch (6-5, 270), guard Brian Crosby and end Grant Carlson.
Genoa-Kingston will challenge with a defense led by all-conference linebacker Jeff Engle.
Prairie
Mooseheart and Lake Forest Academy appear to be the teams to beat. Defending champion Mooseheart (8-1, 5-0) lost four-year starting quarterback Gary Urwiler but figures to be a contender.
Lake Forest (7-2, 4-1) returns tailback Mark Stisser, who gained more than 800 yards rushing and 200 receiving in seven varsity games last year as a sophomore. North Shore Country Day (6-3, 3-2), led by senior halfback Brian Dole, may also be in contention.
Interstate Eight
Reed-Custer (9-2, 6-1), which won its first league title last year, will be challenged by Dwight, Yorkville, Plano, Coal City and Wilmington in what stacks up as a tight title race.
Running back-defensive back Tom Gill (eight interceptions) and QB Mike Weaver are back to lead Reed-Custer.
Independents
Marian Catholic (10-3) was a semifinalist in 6A and should be strong again.
Quarterback Tom Poynton (6-2, 230) and tackle Tim O`Hea (6-2, 270) lead the offense, and linebacker Kevin Kavanaugh and free safety Ken Maurer spearhead the defense.
Riverside-Brookfield (4-5) hopes QB Brad Reynard can fill the shoes of Mark Hafkey, who threw for more than 2,000 yards last year.