Naperville North, the area’s most successful team last season, aims to extend its run of playoff appearances as others try to bounce back.
Benet
There is growing buzz around the program as James White, a former running back who won three Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots, begins his first season coaching the Redwings (3-6) and the school has broken ground on a new football stadium.
Eight starters are back, including senior wide receivers Luca Diomede and John Ericson and junior tight end Tyler Lakis. Juniors Alex Mitchell and Cristiano Diomede are competing at quarterback. The offensive line should be strong with senior Marty Wodka, junior Charlie Yenter and sophomore Jackson Bonebrake.
Metea Valley
The Mustangs (2-7) won their first two games under rookie coach Patrick Sheehan last season before reality hit. Sheehan is eager to see how many strides they will make in his second season.
Senior Charlie Larson moves from quarterback to wide receiver to make room for junior Iggy Amorrortu, a transfer from Wheaton St. Francis who is a legitimate college prospect. Seven other starters return, including senior running back Marquis Brown, junior running back Noah Douglas, senior two-way lineman Collin Tillman and junior two-way lineman Tre Jordan.
Naperville Central
The Redhawks (2-7) haven’t had consecutive losing records since 1979-80, and there is optimism that they’ll get back on the winning track.
“We’re really excited about the group of guys coming back,” Naperville Central coach Mike Ulreich said.
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The defense is led by junior cornerback Eron Kennedy, senior linebacker Justin Skryd and senior defensive end Jaxon Pytlak. Senior Simon Hayes takes over at quarterback and can throw to speedy junior wide receiver Mark Williams and senior receiver Kyle Clark, or hand the ball to senior running back Landon Nelson and junior running back Ryan Jacobson.
Naperville North
The Huskies (6-4) have the talent and experience to earn their sixth straight playoff berth. Senior quarterback Dante Colasante has three excellent targets with senior wide receivers Jack Zitko and CJ Geist and senior tight end Aiden Trasatt, who has offers from six Division I programs, including Army and Cornell. Senior Jake Johnson is back to anchor the offensive line.
Defensive headliners include senior lineman Gianni Fonash, senior linebacker John Lyons and senior safety Brady Marino.
Neuqua Valley
The Wildcats (3-6) don’t have much room for error. “Our team is solid but thin,” Neuqua Valley coach Bill Ellinghaus said. “We just don’t have the depth that we’ve had in the past. We will have the smallest roster that we’ve ever had, so we cannot afford injuries.”
Offensive lineman Max Schueneman and quarterback Drake Mennecke headline a 15-player senior class. Senior linebacker Pierce Stevens and two-way players Joshua Repmann, a senior, and Will Kalish, a junior, lead the defense.
Waubonsie Valley
The Warriors (2-7) have a legitimately solid offensive line in front of junior quarterback Nolan Alberson. Junior guard/tackle Kajus Muralis has offers from nine Division I programs, including Illinois, Notre Dame and Wisconsin, while junior tight end Kyler Payne has been offered by Colorado State. Waubonsie Valley coach Adam Pucylowski said senior center AJ Forst “is as strong as an ox, and if he was 6-foot-4, he would be a Division I player.”
The defense features senior defensive back Josiah Griffin and senior linebacker Bradyn Hostetler.
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.