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No. 14 Downers Grove South

Last season: 9-3 overall, 6-0 West Suburban Gold, eliminated in 8A quarterfinals, ranked 16th in final 2009 poll

Season ahead: Downers Grove South has achieved nearly everything possible under coach John Belskis. It’s won conference championships. It’s won a state title. It’s won 11 games in a season. It’s won 12 games. It’s even won 13 games.

There is one pinnacle, though, that Belskis and his program haven’t obtained.

“The one thing we’ve never done as a program is win 14 games in a season,” Belskis said. “ Winning 14 games is one the goal we’re still working toward.”

The bar may be set high for the 2010 Mustangs, but they have the type of team that can make a run at such a mark.

While Downers Grove South los the talented quarterback-wide receiver duo of Chandler Whitmer and Jason Jozaites, it returns nearly everyone else on offense. Wide receivers Ryan Oruche and Ryan Smith, running back Josh Williams and offensive linemen Zach Taylor, Will O’Dell, Nick Monaghan, Trey Bahaveolos and Shane Companey are all back. Junior A.J. Simoncelli will take over at quarterback.

Defensively, the Mustangs do have some holes to fill. They return defensive back Bryan Ruggiero, defensive linemen Josh Aldrin, Will Thompson and Justin Norwood and linebacker Melvin Saulsberry. Special teams should also be a strength as they possess three capable kickers in Andy Hietpas, Mike Ficaro and Anthony Farinella.

Player to watch: Oruche is so versatile that his coaches struggle with where to put him. He can throw the ball. He can catch it. He can run it. If he wasn’t such a necessary offensive weapon, he’d likely excel defensively as well.

Newcomer to watch: Junior quarterback A.J. Simoncelli

Key game: Aug. 27 vs. Bolingbrook – This has been one of the most entertaining non-conference rivalries in the area. Last year, they ended up meeting twice, and both games came down to the final minutes. Bolingbrook won the first game, and Downers Grove South got its revenge in the playoffs. This will be the last season of this series.

What they’re saying: “I’d be surprised if he didn’t have any offers by the end of the season,” said Downers Grove South coach John Belskis of Ryan Oruche. “He’s just so versatile. He’s got that ‘it’ factor. He’s got something you can’t coach.”

Maine South running back Matt Perez was the front-runner to win the ESPNChicago.com Player of the Year award from the opening day of last season.

There were plenty of talented players around the area, but Perez never slowed down and was ultimately crowned with the title at the end of the year.
This season, there doesn’t appear to be a leader from the opening kick. The area again is full of talent, and any one of them could be the player of the year when it is all said and done.

Here’s a look at 15 players who will likely be in the running:

Curie senior defensive end James Adeyanju: Adeyanju, who is 6-2 and 240 pounds, could be the premier player in the Chicago Public League this season. He’s being recruited by a number of schools.

St. Rita senior running back Jahwon Akui: Akui accumulated 1,870 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, and he wasn’t even healthy the entire year. He could very well go over 2,000 yards this season.

Providence senior linebacker Ray Ames: Ames had 124 tackles, three sacks and three interceptions last season. He should again be one of the Catholic League’s best defensive players this year.

Mount Carmel senior running back Michael Banks: Banks was a defensive back on varsity as a sophomore and then a wide receiver last year. Now, he’s a running back. He did grow up as a running back and has the athleticism to excel at it in the Caravan’s system.

Fremd senior offensive lineman Brian Bobek: Bobek is considered one of the top centers in the country. He is committed to Ohio State.

Minooka defensive end Zach Colvin: Colvin was among the area’s best last season while recording 107 tackles, four sacks and two pass breakups. He should be even more dominant this season.

Lake Zurich senior running back Jacob Brinlee: Division I schools aren’t knocking on Brinlee’s door because of his size (5-9, 165 pounds), but at the high school level there aren’t many better. He’s fast and has great vision. He ran for 1,683 yards and scored 26 touchdown last year.

Vernon Hills senior wide receiver DaVaris Daniels: Daniels is the area’s mostly highly-ranked player nationally. He spent time at a variety of positions, including quarterback, last year. If Vernon Hills can find someone to pass the ball this year, he or Evan Spencer, who is committed to Ohio State, could have memorable seasons.

Joliet Catholic senior running back Josh Ferguson: Ferguson rushed for 1,585 yards and 20 touchdowns while helping the Hilltoppers to a runner-up finish in Class 5A last year. Joliet Catholic and Ferguson, who is committed to Illinois, should be among the elite again.

Maine South junior linebacker Luke Lenti: The Hawks may not have the offensive weapon as they did in Matt Perez last year, but Lenti could be that guy defensively. After coming up from the sophomore team, Lenti led Maine South in tackles during the playoffs with 48. He also had two interceptions.

Naperville North linebacker Nick Lifka: Lifka, a Boston College recruit, was one of the state’s most dominant linebackers last season. He had 116 tackles, 15 for a loss, two sacks, three fumble recoveries, one force fumble, three blocked kicks and four pass breakups. He also happens to play fullback and rushed for 273 yards and three touchdowns last year.

Wheaton Warrenville South quarterback Reilly O’Toole: O’Toole led the Tigers to the Class 7A state championship as a junior. Now a year older, O’Toole, who is committed to Illinois, appears to be the state’s top quarterback.

Glenbard West senior offensive lineman Jordan Walsh: It’s difficult for an offensive lineman to gather too much support for player of the year. Fremd’s Christian Lombard had some last year. Walsh, who recently committed to Iowa, could be in that category this year.

Montini junior wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp: Westerkamp caught 51 passes for 1,156 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore. Illinois recently offered him.

Richards senior defensive back Jarrell Williams: Williams committed to Northwestern as a defensive back, but he does a lot of everything for Richards. He also plays receiver, returns punts and kickoffs and will play some quarterback this season.

No. 15 Montini

Last season: 10-4 overall, 1-3 Suburban Christian Blue, won the Class 5A state championship.

Season ahead: The Broncos were the story of the 2009 season. They barely got into the playoffs, going 5-4 in the regular season, avenged a loss to St. Francis in the opening round, built some momentum and carried it all the way to a comeback win over Joliet Catholic in the 5A state championship.

A year later, the Broncos are no longer the underdog. Even though they lost a few key pieces from last year’s team – most notably quarterback Brandon Pechloff – they’re again considered one of the favorites to compete for the state title.

“We find a way to reload every year,” junior Jordan Westerkamp said. “We have great talent coming up now. I think we have a shot at another championship.”

Westerkamp leads a group of talented offensive returnees. Montini brings back Westerkamp and Anthony Taylor at wide receiver. They also return offensive linemen Pat Suffield and Mack Robinson and kicker Matt Kersten. The quarterbacking duties will likely go to senior Matt Westerkamp, Jordan’s cousin.

On defense, Montini returns linemen Ross Ferraro, Zech Tredenick and Frank Montalto, linebackers Alex Walters and Doug Diedrick and defensive back Frank Baer.

Player to watch: It’s hard to remember that Jordan Westerkamp was only a sophomore last season. But that’s what he was when he caught 51 receptions for 1,156 yards and 16 touchdowns. Now as a junior, he’s expected to raise his game to another level. Illinois already has offered him.

Newcomer to watch: Senior quarterback Matt Westerkamp.

Key game: Aug. 27 at Joliet Catholic – This game may not mean much to either team in the large picture of the 2010 season, but it is a rematch of last year’s Class 5A state championship and will be fun to watch. Both teams will be among the state’s elite teams again.

What they’re saying: “He may be the best player we’ve ever had Montini, and he’s still got another year to go after this year,” Montini coach Chris Andriano said of Jordan Westerkamp.

No. 16 Crystal Lake South

Last season: 9-2 overall, 4-1 Fox Valley Valley, eliminated in 7A second round.

Season ahead: Crystal Lake South has had some talented teams over the last couple decades. The 2005 team went 11-2. The 2008 squad won 10 games. The Gators were 9-2 last year.

While the program has achieved plenty of success during that time, a conference championship has continued to elude the Gators. They haven’t won the Fox Valley since 1992.

The Gators are out this season to change that.

“Our sport has the longest conference championship drought in the school,” Crystal Lake South first-year coach Chuck Ahsmann said. “We want to end that, and that’s going to be our focus. That’s our focus ever year.”

Crystal Lake South does have the manpower to dethrone defending champs Cary-Grove. The Gators return starting quarterback Drew Ormseth, running back Bolek Mikulec and Division I-caliber offensive linemen Jake Bernstein and Fahn Cooper.

“That’s going to be our strength – our offensive line,” Ahsmann said. “We should be able to run the ball behind them.”

Defensive end Brett Barchard is expected to have another stellar season, but he doesn’t have a lot of returning pieces around him on the defense. The Gators are optimistic about a couple of young players and will rely heavily on their team speed.

Player to watch: If Drew Ormseth was a few inches taller, he would likely be a Division I quarterback. Instead he’s 5-10 and has to settle for being a really good high school quarterback. He threw for 15 touchdowns last season and is expected to be more of a dual threat this season.

Newcomer to watch: Sophomore safety Brendan Chrystal.

Key game: Oct. 15 vs. Cary-Grove – This is one of the state’s best rivalries. Crystal Lake South eliminated Cary-Grove from the playoffs two years ago. Last season, the Trojans defeated Crystal Lake South during the regular season and went on to win the Class 6A state championship.

What they’re saying: “We’re going to be young, but we’re going to be fast,” Crystal Lake South coach Chuck Ahsmann said. “If you can’t match up with guys size-wise, you need a lot of guys around the football. That’s what the speed will help us to do. If you’re pursing hard and hustling, you should be around the ball and have a chance to make a play.”

Elk Grove senior Nick Meyer didn’t want to call it cockiness.

Meyer knew there are too many negative connotations connected to cockiness. Instead, he opted for two other words.

“This year not as much a cockiness, but definitely there was a swagger that we had,” Meyer said of his team. “Last year, if we had played Maine South or a Montini in a 7-on-7, we would have been hesitant and unsure of ourselves. This year, we walked in there and said, ‘They’re a pretty darn good team, but we can play with them.’ That’s swagger and confidence.”

Swagger and confidence are more suitable words. It wasn’t as if Meyer was taking the field this summer and telling his opponents he was going to eat up their secondaries, or that he ever looked down on his opponents. It was more that Meyer simply knew he and his teammates belonged with those elite teams.

Whether it was Class 8A defending state champs Maine South or 5A champs Montini, Meyer believed Elk Grove could compete, and it did.

“I really amped our summer schedule up this year,” Elk Grove coach Brian Doll said. “I told them I wasn’t going to play a soft 7-on-7 schedule. There were only two teams that competed with us -- Montini and Maine South. We felt we outplayed all those other schools at the higher levels. Nick had success from Day 1 in 7-on-7s. He had a lot of success.”

Meyer’s success isn’t a surprise. He began to become a known commodity last season as he passed for 1,978 yards and 17 touchdowns and ran for 986 yards and 16 touchdowns to lead Elk Grove to a 7-4 record and a second-round playoff appearance.

This season, though, the expectations have risen. Aside from having another year behind him and adding overall strength and speed in the offseason, Meyer’s increased knowledge of the game is what has Doll excited about him for 2010.

“I think the main thing for him was to understand coverages,” Doll said. “It was really hard. You can tell them it’s a Cover 2 or this is a Cover 3, but it’s understanding how all the positions go together. We started from the beginning, what the responsibilities were. We went from piece to piece. He can now see how to mesh the play with the coverage.

“Last season, he was just so focused in on one guy, going to his buddy. This year, he’s much more apt to spread the ball to whatever receiver. He has a lot of confidence in all of the kids. We’re able to get the ball to a lot of different areas.”

Meyer notices a difference from last season.

“I don’t have to stare down receivers,” said Meyer, who also worked with Maine South offensive coordinator Charlie Bliss this summer. “I know what the receivers are going to do. I’ve gotten more chemistry with the receivers.”

Like last season, Meyer will continue to start at safety and return kicks for the Grenadiers. He had 43 tackles, three interceptions and one touchdown last season on defense. He also had one kick return for a touchdown.

Meyer doesn’t mind pulling double or triple duty. He enjoys being on the field all the time. It also helps his recruiting stock as all of the Division I schools are looking at him to be either a defensive back or wide receiver.

“It’s because I’m 6-foot and not 6-3 or 6-4,” said Meyer, who is being recruited by a number of MAC schools. “There’s nothing I can do about being taller. I just want to get on the field and do something.”

Doll said, “Some people may think I’m crazy to play him both ways. That’s the reality. I have to put us in to position to win games.”

With a new swagger and confidence, Meyer is that winning ticket.

No. 17 Elk Grove

Last season: 7-4 overall, 3-2 Mid-Suburban League East, eliminated in Class 7A second round

Season ahead: Grenadiers coach Brian Doll was concerned whether he had enough footballs and practice jerseys when his team first met last year. Now as Doll enters his second season at Elk Grove, he and his team are much further along.

Last year’s 7-4 record and second-round playoff appearance was a good starting point for the program under Doll, but he and his team are searching for more in 2010.

“Last year was all about getting the little things done, crossing all the ‘T’s and dotting all the ‘I’s,” Doll said. “I think looking back … that first year was hectic.”

Elk Grove does have the personnel back to make a longer run. It returns 16 of its 22 starters. Most notably, quarterback Nick Meyer is back. Meyer was overshadowed by other quarterbacks in the Mid-Suburban League last season, but that won’t be the case this season. Meyer is smarter and stronger than a year ago and is now drawing Division I interest. He’ll also have plenty of experience around him on the line and at the skilled positions.

Defensively, linebacker Josh Bishoff leads an experienced group. Bishoff had 15 tackles for a loss last season and four sacks. Bishoff, Meyer and Eddie Stahl will play both ways. Elk Grove returns its entire secondary.

Player to watch: Senior wide receiver Eddie Stahl may not be the team’s greatest athlete, but there’s probably not a more intelligent player on the team. It’ll be surprising if Stahl isn’t a coach himself one day. With that IQ, Stahl should be a constant target for Meyer this year. Stahl also will play defensive back.

Newcomer to watch: Junior linebacker Greg Johnson.

Key game: Sept. 10 at Fremd – The Vikings are still the team to beat in the Mid-Suburban League. Elk Grove could prove itself with a win over Fremd on the road.

What they’re saying: “We feel like we’re raising the level and have higher goals and expectations than last year,” Elk Grove coach Brian Doll said. “Some people think we’re crazy to say we want to win a state championship. That’s the goal the boys have put forth. That’s what we want to do. They may have been scared to talk about that in the past. We’re talking about it now.”

No. 18 Minooka

Last season: 8-3 overall, 6-1 Southwest Prairie, eliminated in the Class 7A second round.

Season ahead: Minooka’s offense put up plenty of points last season – 335 points to be exact -- and that was relying mostly on its running attack. This season, the plan still is to run, but it’s also going to let returning senior quarterback Mitch Brozovich loose to throw the ball.

Last season, Brozovich was coming off a torn labrum injury and was unable to throw a football for most of the spring and summer. He’s fully recovered now and has spent the entire offseason training.

“He’s impressed people with his legs and feet,” Minooka coach Bert Kooi said. “He’ll impress this year with his throwing. It’s night and day.”

Brozovich’s rise is just one more reason why the Indians’ offense could be scary this season. They return senior running back Kyle Banks, who rushed for 956 yards last season, and four offensive linemen, including Mike Melone and RJ Buddle.

Defensively, Minooka has some holes to fill, but it returns highly recruited defensive end Zach Colvin, who had 11 tackles for a loss last season, and linebacker Parker Parzych, who had six tackles for a loss. Linebackers Daylon Bacot and Drew Kooi also return.

Player to watch: Senior defensive Zach Colvin is one of the premiere defensive linemen in the state. His athleticism is what most Division I coaches are noticing. He’s 6-4, 265 pounds and is a three-sport athlete (baseball and basketball). He could be a special college player once he begins devoting himself solely to football.

Newcomer to watch: Senior wide receiver Dan Fox.

Key game: Oct. 8 at Plainfield North – The Indians lost 6-0 to Plainfield North last season. Both teams were among the best in the Southwest Prairie last season, and that should be the case again this year. Minooka would like to get revenge on Plainfield North on the road.

What they’re saying: “We believe each and every year we are going to compete for a conference title,” Minooka coach Bert Kooi said. “Not that we’re taking anything for granted, but we got a little taste of the playoffs a year ago, and I think we want to make a bigger dent in that this year.”

It’s impossible to look at 6-5, 265-pound Oak Park-River Forest offensive tackle Ben Carbery and not see a football player. And it’s nearly impossible to see Carbery line up for his other team picture and not crack a smile.

Carbery is the captain of Oak Park-River Forest’s Scholastic Bowl team, which finished 17th at the 2010 National Academic Quiz Tournament national championship. He finished eighth in the individual competition, then earned a spot on the four-person Team Illinois all-star team, which took third at a national tournament.

“The two guys I have sitting next to me, usually one’s about 5-4, one’s about 5-3,” Carbery said. “I probably do get some looks.”

Not from his teammates on the football team, though. To them, Scholastic Bowl -- commonly known as Quiz Bowl -- is just another offseason activity, like track or basketball. The football guys are Carbery’s closest friends, but he enjoys his brainy bunch, too.

“They’re complete nerds, and I am too,” Carbery said of his Scholastic Bowl teammates. “But it’s fun to hang out with those guys, mix it up a little bit.”

That’s something Carbery likes to do. In the spring, he’s going on a school trip to India.

“I have like a stack of books that I’m working through on Indian history and Indian culture,” he said.

Playbook first, though. He said his focus is football through the season. But after the last whistle, the buzzer sounds, and it’s usually Carbery answering.

From October to June, Carbery spends about every other Saturday at Scholastic Bowl meets. He takes his place on a different sort of line, sitting next to three teammates at a table, his hands drawn to a buzzer instead of a defensive end’s midsection.

The meets are exhausting like a football game, lasting from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

“It’s pretty intense,” Carbery said. “Concentrating for so long, you can get exhausted by the end of the day … After both of them [football games and Scholastic Bowl meets], I’ll just go home and sleep Saturday night.”

Other than hitting a buzzer to answer a question, the format and strategy of the competition isn’t simple. Carbery scores by far the most points of anyone on his team, but he said he relies on his teammates for math. Still, he’s the stud. At the national competition in June, Carbery scored 24 points. The rest of his team scored four.

With an ACT score of 34, he’s likely headed to an Ivy League school next year. Brown, Penn, Columbia, Harvard and Yale -- where both his parents went -- have offered him spots.

Although he’ll attend one of those schools to play football, the educational opportunity gets him just as excited.

Carbery says he’s more book smart than Xs-and-Os-smart, but he has his thoughts about how things are run on the field.

“He’s like so smart that he’ll talk back to the coaches,” running back Tony Stapleton said. “He always thinks he’s right, which he is 90 percent of the time.”

Carbery insists it’s more sharing his opinions than talking back, and his coaches appreciate the honesty, he said. On the field, he’s actually reserved most of the time. A level-headed leader, running back Zach Draus said.

Football is helping Carbery reach a place he wasn’t sure he could.

“It all kind of came unexpectedly, all the interest,” he said. “It always seemed like something that would be really hard to do for me [get into an Ivy League school], but I guess football opened that door.”

Other than history, mythology and philosophy -- Carbery’s best categories -- Draus and Stapleton are his main subjects. The two versatile backs will line up together in the backfield this year as part of Oak Park-River Forest’s new “Toledo” package, and they’re the keys to the Huskies’ spread offense, along with their experienced offensive line.

Occasionally, the Huskies will scratch the spread and run Draus or Stapleton up the middle behind Carbery, left guard Brad Oxnevad -- who is being recruited by several MAC schools -- and right tackle Isaac Chadri, an all-conference player last year.

The offensive line and backfield make Oak Park-River Forest a dangerous team this season. With Carbery, the school’s Scholastic Bowl team also is on a national level.

The 2011 national championship is in Atlanta, and Carbery said he’s going to try to raise some money to get the team there. Good chance he’ll figure it out.

No. 19 Hinsdale Central

Last season: 7-3 overall, 5-1 West Suburban Silver, eliminated in first round of 8A playoffs, ranked 14th in final 2009 poll.

Season ahead: Let the post-John Whitelaw era begin. For so long, Whitelaw and his versatility at quarterback carried the Red Devils, and now the program is relearning to play without him.

“No one is going to be him,” Hinsdale Central coach Mike DiMatteo said. “That’s what it’s going to come down to. Whether it be by committee or one person, it’s up to us to put them in the best situation to be successful. They need to play within themselves. They need to do what they can do and do it well. They’re not expected to be John.”

The starting quarterback position is up in the air for the upcoming season. It could go to any number of players, and DiMatteo may use more than one. The one advantage Hinsdale Central has as it grooms a new quarterback is that its offensive line is a major strength this season. It’s led by Jack Allen and Scott McDowell, two Division I recruits. Wide receiver Jack Skokna also returns and is expected to have a breakout season.

On the defensive side, the Red Devils should be even better than last season. Their strengths will lie in their defensive line and linebackers. Allen and defensive end Mike Kaessler are back on the line. Linebackers Jack Knowles, Keith Hahn, Pat Foley and Andrew Pyle should make an impact as well.

Player to watch: Offensive linemen aren’t usually the most exciting players to keep an eye on, but Hinsdale Central has one worth watching. Jack Allen, who is 6-2 and 275 pounds, is one of the area’s best linemen and is strong, quick and agile. It’s that combination that’s helped him to be one of the state’s top wrestlers as well. A number of Big Ten schools are after him to play football.

Newcomer to watch: Sophomore linebacker Andrew Pyle.

Key game: It’s a toss up between Aug. 27 against Wheaton Warrenville South and Sept. 10 against Glenbard West. Both opponents are highly ranked, and both could be rude awakenings for a young Hinsdale Central team. The one positive is both games are at home.

What they’re saying: “I don’t think we should ever change that expectation to get to Champaign,” Hinsdale Central coach Mike DiMatteo said. “Bluntly, people would like to see that expectation changed because we are inexperienced. I don’t think you should ever do that. You don’t want to get to level one or level two, but to level three. That should be your motivation. I know our guys are thinking in those terms and are doing everything they can to make that happen.”

No. 20 Oak Park

Last season: 5-5 overall, 3-3 West Suburban Silver, eliminated in first round of 8A playoffs.

Season ahead: The Huskies put a scare into their opponents last season. They hung with a talented Glenbard North team. They lost by one touchdown to York. They fell to Hinsdale Central 46-45 in a heartbreaker. They even played with state champion Maine South before losing 28-14.

Now, Oak Park wants more.

The Huskies have the pieces returning to potentially do just that. Offensively, they return seven starters. Their offensive line will be big and experienced. Ben Carbery (6-5, 270 pounds), Brad Oxnevad (6-4, 260) and Isaac Chadri (5-10, 260) are all returning, and that’s great news for returning halfback Tony Stapleton and fullback Joe Donlan.

On the other side of the ball, Oak Park’s strengths look to be their defensive line and linebackers. Donlan and Connor Harmon return at linebacker. Mike Raleigh, Jeff Navy and Drevon Brown should all be difference-makers on the line.

“We have a number of players back,” Oak Park coach Jim Nudera said. “We want to start where we left off. We want to build on that attitude and compete and fight.”

Player to watch: Tony Stapleton hasn’t received as much press as some of the area’s top running backs. Oak Park’s up-and-down 2009 season probably has something to do with that. Stapleton should be included with that elite group, though. He’s a mixture of power and speed and rushed for 1,300 yards as a junior. He should be capable of much more this season with an experienced offensive line in front of him. He’s being recruited by a number of MAC schools.

Newcomer to watch: Sophomore wide receiver/safety Tom Odell.

Key game: The Huskies face Glenbard West, Lyons and Hinsdale Central on consecutive weeks during their conference season. All three games will be vital to how their season ends up. Their biggest game, though, might be the season-opener against Glenbard North. The Panthers defeated Oak Park 33-21 last year. If Oak Park is going to be a real threat this season and remain in the rankings, it’ll need to win this game.

What they’re saying: “The potential, it’s there,” Oak Park coach Jim Nudera said. “It’s really important we play well and take another step as a program this season. We’ve been growing.”

No one’s rankings are perfect. Ever year, overlooked teams rise above ranked ones.

Last year, Cary-Grove, Lake Zurich, Loyola, Marist and Montini all ended up highly ranked in the final ESPNChicago.com poll after not being included in the preseason version.

While we stand behind our 2010 preseason Top 20 rankings, here are some teams that could be entering the picture throughout the season.

Aurora Christian: The addition of Joliet Catholic transfer Anthony Maddie is a major boost for coach Don Beebe’s squad. Maddie started at quarterback for the Hilltoppers last season.

Bolingbrook: The Raiders lost a number of skilled players, but will reload again.

Buffalo Grove: The Bison lost four games by a combined 19 points last season. With a number of returnees back, they should be able to win some of those close games this season.

Cary-Grove: The Trojans graduated a bulk of their talent from last year’s 6A state title team, but it’s hard to ever count them out of the mix. Coach Bruce Kay’s teams have won nine or more games the last six seasons.

De La Salle: The Meteors surprised plenty of people last year with a run to the 6A state quarterfinals. If they do it again, it won’t be shocking. De La Salle returns seven offensive starters and four on defense.

Geneva: Running back Connor Quinn should keep the Vikings’ offense rolling this season.

Glenbard North: The Panthers lost a lot from last year’s 11-2 team, but they do return starting running back Evan Natick, who is again healthy after breaking his leg last season.

Glenbrook North: The Spartans will be relying on their massive offensive line this season. Four of their linemen are 270 pounds or more, which should be helpful to senior quarterback Zack Hilgendorf.

Kaneland: The Knights could be among the top 5A teams this season. They return five all-conference players, including quarterback Joe Camiliere.

Lemont: This is another one of the area’s programs that seems to reload every season.

Lockport: Senior running back Daniel Holman was among the state’s best last season, rushing for more than 175 yards per game.

Loyola: The Ramblers may not be as dominant defensively as they were a year ago, but they will have some talent again.

Lyons: The Lions are another reason why the DuPage Valley is always one of the toughest conferences.

Marian Central Catholic: The Hurricanes return a number of key pieces, including running back Cody Cavitt and quarterback Ben Krol, from last year’s 8-3 team.

Marian Catholic: The Spartans’ offense could be potent this season with quarterback John Rhode, running back Jeruel Taylor and offensive linemen Jeff Bona and Brian Kelly all returning.

Marist: Star quarterback Mike Perish may have graduated, but the RedHawks still have plenty coming back. Watch for running back McKinley Moore to have a big season.

Marmion: The Cadets could be among the favorites in Class 6A. They return a majority of their squad from last year’s 9-2 team and have more depth this season.

Morgan Park: The Mustangs are still among the elite teams in the Chicago Public League.

Plainfield North: The Tigers should again be near the top of the Southwest Prairie. Running back Kapri Bibbs should be one to watch this season.

Richards: Jarrell Williams, a Northwestern recruit, should be one of the state’s most electrifying players this season. He does a lot of everything on both sides of the ball.

Sandburg: The Eagles return a good portion of their defense from last year’s 7-4 team. With a lot of speed back, they should be fun to watch.

Schaumburg: The Saxons just missed the Top 20 rankings. They should possess one of the top offenses in the area with quarterback Mark Iannotti, running back Shepard Little and three offensive linemen returning.

Simeon: The Wolverines just missed the Top 20 as well. They welcome new coach Dante Culbreath, who replaces longtime coach Al Scott. Culbreath will have plenty of returnees to work with. Offensive tackle Chris Bryant leads that group and is being highly recruited.

South Elgin: The Storm reached the playoffs for the first time in school history last season, and with a number of returnees on offense and defense, they’re likely to reach the postseason again in 2010. Quarterback John Menken should be among the area’s best this season.

St. Charles North: The North Stars will be a team to keep an eye on once quarterback Jake Bergren returns from injury.

Stevenson: Longtime assistant Bill McNamara takes over the program from legendary coach Bill Mitz. The Patriots lost some talent to graduation, but they will be returning quarterback Kevin Earl, linebacker Brion Wood and defensive end Mike Crowley.

Vernon Hills: Senior wide receivers DaVaris Daniels and Evan Spencer are among the best in the country.

Waubonsie Valley: The Warriors’ defense should be among the best in the Upstate Eight again with the return of six starters. Offensively, tight end Mark Szott, a Northwestern recruit, will be one to watch.

Wheaton North: The Falcons were one of the major surprises in last year’s playoffs. Returning quarterback Reece Butler and company will be looking to build on that.

Welcome to our new home for preps.

You can still find our high school sports coverage where you once did, but this gives you an additional place to easily find news for the specific schools and sports you support. We’ll be updating the blog constantly during the preps seasons with breaking news, in-depth stories, commentary, photos, videos and more.

As always, if you ever want to share a story idea, discuss high school sports or otherwise, please e-mail us at preps@espnchicago.com. You can also follow us on Twitter @ESPNChiPreps.

We’re looking forward to another exciting year for preps at ESPNChicago.com, and this is just the start of it.