Parity is the watchword for the high school football scene, and the absence of a dominant team means the No. 1 ranking could change hands several times.
Providence is starting out on top, but there are a number of teams ready to take over should the Celtics falter.
The most prominent is a Naperville Central ballclub whose coach believes could become nationally ranked.
“This will be the deepest team Central has ever had, Redhawks coach Joe Bunge said. There are over 40 players who could play on most teams in the state.”
Here is a preseason look at the top 20 teams in the Chicago area:
THE FIRST 10
1. Providence: Expect the three-time defending state champion to play keep-away with a ball-control offense built around a stellar offensive line featuring 6-foot-2-inch, 255-pound Colin Johnson, junior Tom Lenahan (6-11, 255), Rob Stazak (6-1, 300) and Jason Kalina (6-1, 200). The top offensive threat is Division I recruit David Popp as a receiver and running back while Division I recruit Eric Steinbach (6-7, 235) and B.J. Wagner anchor the defense.
2. Naperville Central: Virtually the entire offense returns from last year’s DuPage Valley Conference champion, led by running back D.J. Johnson, quarterback Christian Pearson and fullback Joe Chirumbolo. The Redhawks have the potential to match or exceed the 1995 team that finished second to Wheaton-Warrenville South in Class 6A.
3. Bolingbrook: All-Stater Antoineo Harris is rated among the top five running backs in the country by college recruiters after rushing for 2,187 yards and 34 touchdowns last fall. Wide receiver/defensive back Todd Howard is another top recruit while quarterback Eric Cawthon rounds out a trio of three-year starters. Harris’ successor, junior Kevin Hatch, already is being groomed as the next standout tailback.
4. Naperville North: Defense will spearhead the Huskies’ return to prominence after missing the playoffs last season for the first time in 10 years. Division I recruits Rob Koranda (6-1, 210), Mike Szymanski (6-4, 230) and Kevin Hill (6-4, 255) plus junior linebacker Ben Kennedy (6-6, 225) highlight the defense while tackle Brett Donkin (6-3, 265) and fullback Doug Clark lead the offense.
5. Lincoln-Way: Cory Paus is rated among the nation’s top quarterbacks and will team with running back Rich Schutt, receivers Matt Joseph and Rob Fredrickson and tackle Nick Correa (6-2, 270) for an explosive offense. Schutt was fourth in the 100-meter dash at last springs state track meet. The Knights’ defense is built around linebacker Brian Holba.
6. Wheaton-Warrenville South: Don’t discount the Tigers’ chances for a three-peat 6A title with speedy Chris Vasquez running behind linemen Kevin Bartz (6-4, 245) and James Schuster (6-3, 230), who is recovering from an off-season ankle injury. Vasquez was fifth in the state in the 100 and fourth in the 200. The defense is led by Nate Kolbaba (6-3, 220), Doug Rogers, Pat Crosby and Erik Aister.
7. Evanston: Imagine trying to bring down Iowa-bound breakaway back Siaka Massaquoi running behind 6-0, 230-pound Sean Hopson, who doubles as the top linebacker. The Wildkits also boast Division I recruits Algie Atkinson (6-5, 220) and Alex Thomas (6-2, 275) along with tight end Tripp Healy, linebacker Andrew Westhouse and cornerback/receiver Ricky Hayward.
8. York: The West Suburban Silver favorite is built around five all-conference players headed by defensive back Nick Beiterman, fullback Chris Anderson and linebacker Carl Williams. The Dukes’ offense will get a lift with the return of quarterback Vince Lucca, who broke his leg late last season.
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9. Mt. Carmel: So what if the Caravan only has two returnees, defensive backs Jon Walsh and Craig Kerins from last years undefeated 5A champion? Coach Frank Lenti and his staff will simply reload with running back Ted Bolden, linemen Adam Cushing and Ryan McKenna and quarterback Andy Potocki. This could be Lentis youngest team in 13 seasons with a dozen or more underclassmen starting.
10. Marian Catholic: This could be the team that unseats Catholic Metro Blue favorite Mt. Carmel. The Spartans return 17 starters from last year’s 5-5 team, led by tailback Terrence Pirtle, quarterback Phil Wail, receiver Erick Middleton and defensive standouts David Rodrigue, Kevin Hanifin, Jason Verde and Nick Martinez.
THE SECOND 10
11. Larkin: Game-breaking running back Vince Webber (2,032 yards, 30 TDs) is enthusiastic about his offensive line and a defense headed by Kasey Kluxdal that promises to be better than last season. Webber could find much of his daylight running behind Adam Conner (6-3, 220).
12. Waubonsie Valley: Should Larkin stumble, the Warriors will be ready to take over the Upstate Eight with 17 returning starters from last year’s 4-5 ballclub. The best of the returnees is tight end/defensive end R.J. Luke (6-3, 230), considered by some recruiters as the top college prospect in the state. There’s also tailback Justin Slais, tackle Noah Garrington (6-4, 290), linebacker Bob Kus and defensive back Ira Stewart.
13. Addison Trail: West Suburban Gold choice features two of the top college recruits, linebacker Dan Rumishek (6-5, 245) and defensive back Brian Taylor. The Trail Blazer defense also boasts defensive end Joe Bonasorte (6-3, 235) and five other starters from last season’s 9-2 league champion.
14. Stevenson: The North Suburban Conference defending champion should be tough again behind quarterback Curtis Zervic (6-5, 200) and tackle Josh Kilkes (6-2, 270). Coach Bill Mitz believes the Patriots12-1 last yearhave a legitimate shot at the 6A crown.
15. Bishop McNamara: The best small school in the state, this football powerhouse with an enrollment of just 531 students will continue to knock off much larger schools behind linebacker and Catholic Metro Green player of the year Alan Rood (6-3, 235), running back Johnny Short, flanker Jon Laurenti and receiver Justin Dole.
16. Maine West: Get ready for the “Thunder and Lightfoot Show.” Explosive running back Alex Voltaire should find plenty of openings behind highly recruited tackle Andy Lightfoot (6-7, 265) while physical Ray “the Hitter” Hartmann (6-2, 235) keys the defense for this Central Suburban North favorite.
17. Sandburg: Rated slightly above Lightfoot is Eagles tackle Jeff Roehl (6-5, 275), considered by recruiters the best offensive lineman in the state. Linebacker Mike Lipuma heads the defense while QB Bryan Thorson replaces Zak Kustok, who has been impressive as a Notre Dame freshman.
18. Palatine: New coach Bob Scheutz will look to keep the Pirates’ winning tradition going with quarterback Sergio Lund, tackles Kevin Kramer (6-4, 270) and Dave Kiehn (6-2, 230), running backs Mario Caicedo and Reggie McClure and receiver Yaacov Yisreal.
19. Loyola: The Prep Bowl champion is aiming for a Catholic Metro Blue title behind guard Bob Boyle (5-10, 240), tailback Tom Hutch, tight end Pat Fahey and defensive tackle James OMalley (6-4, 215). Coach John Hoerster also is counting on help from a junior class that went undefeated on the sophomore level last season.
20. Richards: The SICA Orange frontrunner again will be fast and physical with linebacker/fullback Milton Mitchell, tailbacks Shaun Brown and Jason Littleon, receiver Morgan Thompson and lineman Dave McLaughlin (6-0, 235).
Best of the rest:
St. Charles, Dunbar, Downers Grove South, Thornton, Schaumburg.