Bishop Noll
Last season: 0-10, 0-7 Greater South Shore.
3 players to watch
* Anthony Davis is a junior running back/linebacker.
* Alejandro Garcia is a senior quarterback/linebacker.
* John Springer is a senior offensive lineman/defensive end.
2 keys to success
* Can the Warriors execute the fundamentals? After watching film, new coach Colin McCullough, a 2005 graduate, said a re-emphasis on the basics should mean improved competitiveness.
* Where is their confidence level?
1 key stat
Bishop Noll won one game in the two seasons of previous coach Paul Douglass.
Boone Grove
Last season: 6-4, 5-2 Greater South Shore.
3 players to watch
* Senior linebacker Keiggan Lange had a team-high 105 tackles last season.
* Junior defensive tackle Ryan Dziewicki had 34 tackles and three sacks.
* Senior wide receiver Nate Williamson had seven catches for 126 yards.
2 keys to success
* Can the quarterback combination of senior Sam Kilburg and sophomore Dylan Paul continue to develop?
* Who fills the void left by Evan Stewart, who rushed for 1,273 yards and 11 TDs?
1 key stat
The Wolves have six returning starters on each side of the ball.
Calumet
Last season: 3-7, 2-5 Greater South Shore.
3 players to watch
* Senior safety KiJon Graham had 47 tackles last season.
* Senior Estevan Miranda returns at quarterback.
* Running back/defensive end A.J. Fowler, who had 50 tackles, is a captain as a sophomore.
2 keys to success
* How will the Warriors replace the leadership of Kobe Fowler, who rushed for 1,433 yards and 13 TDs and had 52 tackles at linebacker?
* How quickly can new coach Rik Richards implement his system?
1 key stat
Calumet received $7 million to upgrade its athletic facilities.
Hanover Central
Last season: 6-4, 4-3 Greater South Shore.
3 players to watch
* Offensive tackle Steve Norlock was a Class 3A IFCA Junior All-State pick.
* Senior Dustin Lindley ran for 671 yards and 12 TDs.
* Jordan Andrade is a four-year starter at offensive guard.
2 keys to success
* Can the still-developing program continue to make strides in coach Pete Koulianos’ second season?
* The Wildcats will have a new quarterback after Tyler Burnham passed for 683 yards and nine TDs and ran for 296 and six TDs.
1 key stat
Hanover Central returns eight starters on each side of the ball.
Lake Station
Last season: 2-9, 1-6 Greater South Shore.
3 players to watch
* Junior quarterback Richie Santos threw for 714 yards last season.
* Junior Michael Aguilar ran for 514 yards.
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* Senior Luis Martinez gives the Eagles a top receiving option.
2 keys to success
* Can the experience of eight returning starters on both sides of the ball translate?
* Can the Eagles build on winning their last regular-season game and sectional opener in 2015?
1 key stat
Lake Station had last won a sectional game in 2008.
North Newton
Last season: 4-7, 3-4 Greater South Shore.
3 players to watch
* Junior defensive back Colt Wagner had 82 tackles and two interceptions last season.
* Senior linebacker Justin Harrell had 39 tackles and four interceptions.
* Senior wide receiver Mike Cain had 11 catches for 262 yards and a TD.
2 keys to success
* Can the Spartans use their team speed to overcome a relative lack of size?
* They have to replace quarterback Jono Bigger, who passed for 1,087 yards and nine TDs and ran for 278 and 10 TDs.
1 key stat
Expected quarterback Ben Vanderwall, a sophomore, led the JV team to a 6-3 record.
River Forest
Last season: 5-5, 5-2 Greater South Shore.
3 players to watch
* Senior fullback/linebacker Terrell Stottlemire ran for 303 yards and three TDs and had 55 tackles with 3.5 sacks.
* New starting quarterback Josiah Zambrana, a junior, had 34 tackles at defensive back.
* Allen Evans is a junior guard/defensive tackle.
2 keys to success
* How will the Ingots replace the production of Zach Catlin (513 yards passing, six TDs; seven interceptions at safety), Luis Cordero (531 yards rushing, 6 TDs) and Grant Baker (541 yards rushing, 8 TDs; 6 sacks)?
* Can they use nine returning starters on defense and eight on offense to their advantage?
1 key stat
River Forest had a stretch of 14 atraight shutout quarters last season.
South Central
Last season: 5-5, 3-4 Greater South Shore.
3 players to watch
* Senior defensive back Brett Hoover is a three-year starter who also rushed for 461 yards last season.
* Three-year starting tight end Garrett Hewlett had 19 catches for 315 yards and five TDs.
* Junior guard Josh Holsapple is part of an experienced offensive line.
2 keys to success
* Who takes over at quarterback for Noah Eaton?
* The Satellites have talent, but can their depth hold up?
1 key stat
South Central is seeking its first playoff win since 2010, when it won a sectional title.
Wheeler
Last season: 9-2, 6-1 Greater South Shore.
3 players to watch
* Senior Derek Bertucci is a three-year starting offensive lineman and returning defensive end.
* Senior Zack Tucker is a three-year starting offensive lineman and returning defensive tackle.
* Junior linebacker Trey Buehler is the Bearcats’ leading returning tackler with 26.
2 keys to success
* How will junior quarterback Peter Tkacs, who led the JV team to an undefeated season, fare as successor to Jake LaFever (1,207 yards passing, 12 TDs; 1,031 yards rushing, 16 TDs)?
* How will sophomores Payton Hinkel and Nathan LeDuc carry the load after Jacob Wasz (980 yards rushing, 11 TDs)?
1 key stat
Wheeler has five seniors after having 20 last season.
Whiting
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Last season: 13-2, 6-1 Greater South Shore.
3 players to watch
* Three-year starting quarterback Stuart Glascow passed for 1,903 yards and 17 TDs and ran for 1,115 and 14 TDs last season.
* Senior middle linebacker Caleb Macon had 93 tackles with three sacks and three fumble recoveries.
* Senior defensive tackle Isaac Sahagun had 73 tackles, 14 for loss and four sacks.
2 keys to success
* How do the Oilers make up for the all-around play of Martin Petruf (48 catches, 952 yards, 9 TDs; 130 tackles, 6 interceptions)?
* How will they respond after last season’s Class 2A state runner-up finish?
1 key stat
Whiting allowed seven points or fewer in nine games last year.
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff