:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/SOTERHTINSDZQRWCEGAMGNXFFE.jpg)
DeKalb
Head Coach: Keith Snyder (1st season)
Last year's record: 8-2
Key returners: Donovan Lacey (FS/Slot), Alex Siebens (WR), Jalon Redmond (RB/DE), George Colbert (OT), Javon Brown (DE), Trenton Kyler (QB), Tucker Ikens (ILB).
Notable newcomers: Tunde Oroye (G), Carter Harris (C), Avery Medina (DB) Fotis Fotopoulos (DB), Cole Girardot (NG), Trenton McCullum (OLB/RB), Toriano Tate (Slot), Christian Lorenzo (DE).
Outlook: DeKalb is coming off of its fifth straight season with at least eight wins, but faces a new landscape in the DuPage Valley Conference along with a new head coach. The Barbs have seven new opponents on the schedule this season, and DuPage Valley will be a step up even after competing in the well-respected Northern Illinois Big 12 East. The Barbs return Western Illinois commit Donovan Lacey at free safety/wide receiver, and running back Jalon Redmond, who has an offer from Eastern Illinois. Coach Keith Snyder will look to spread teams out on offense, and count on his young defense to adapt fast and be relentless pursuing the football.
Metea Valley
Head Coach: John Parpet (1st season)Last year's record: 1-8
Key returners: Collin Wilcox (RB/LB), Austin Frederick (TE/LB), Max Barton (OL/DL), Octavio Lopez (OL/DL), Dominic Giancana (LB/RB), Elijah Wright (RB/LB), Keyshawn Baker (RB/LB), Ryan Brigham (WR/DB).
Notable newcomers: Nick Shannon (QB), Ryan Kelly (RB/DB), J.P. Fitzgerald (OL/DL), Jake Pauline (OL/DL), Balin Hoag (OL/DL), Anthony Skinner (WR/DB).Outlook: First-year coach John Parpet was encouraged by his team's performance over the summer, but he knows the Mustangs will need to settle in quickly to new offensive and defensive schemes if they're going to have a chance in the DuPage Valley. Metea Valley will have its hands full with Wheaton-Warrenville South in Week 1. Road trips to Lake Park and Belleville East are certainly winnable before the Mustangs start their conference slate in Week 4.
Naperville Central
Head Coach: Michael Stine (14th season, 95-48)
Last year's record: 7-4
Key returners: Sam Jackson (QB), Ryan Lakin (OL), Spencer Roehll (OL), Bo Turner (WR), Sean Key (DE), Jamarri Moore (DB), Angelo Ecklou (DL), Zach Liska (DB/LB), Benn Tadd (RB), Michael Wood (DB), Lucas Flemming (DB), Olen Nanninga (DE/LB), Riley Suda (WR).
Notable newcomers: Reggie Fleurima (WR), Jadon Thompson (WR), Keon Green (WR), Patrick Grange (HB), Shane Roth (LB), Matt Wood (WR), Jake Lynch (WR/DB), Luke Petersen (LB/DL).
Outlook: The Redhawks were already optimistic about this season with returning junior and Minnesota commit Sam Jackson at quarterback, then they added senior wide receiver Jadon Thompson via transfer from Marist. Thompson, an Illinois commit, is the fifth-ranked senior in the state, according to 247sports.com. Sophomore receiver Reggie Fleurima, a transfer from Naperville North, also has offers from Illinois, Minnesota and Virginia Tech among others. And that's just the start. Naperville Central is loaded with talent, but so is its schedule: Hinsdale Central in Week 1, Lincoln-Way East in Week 2, a trip to Ohio-powerhouse Pickerington Central in Week 3, and East St. Louis in Week 9 – and that doesn't even get into their grueling conference schedule.
Naperville North
Head Coach: Sean Drendel (10th season, 44-45)
Last year's record: 3-6
Key returners: Matt Maschmeier (WR/DB), Anthony Gabrione (QB), Jason Gramins (TE), Robert Padgett (OL), Cole Loebig (LB), Nico Cegles (DB), Michael Miranda (DB), CJ Kuhter (DT).
Notable newcomers: Connor Corrigan (DE), Ethan Hilgert (DT), Adam Sturtz (SS), Camden Hirsch (LB), Stephan Williams (WR), Justin Sterling (RB), Ben Kuefler (OL).
Outlook: Naperville North will need to rebuild its passing game after graduating its starting quarterback along with its top two receivers. Sophomore WR Reggie Fleurima also transferred to Naperville Central. The Huskies return senior wide receiver/defensive back Matt Maschmeier. Senior Anthony Gabrione steps in at quarterback. North is confident in Gabrione's progression this offseason and will count on him to lead the offense. Coach Sean Drendel feels there is considerable size and speed in his junior class that should help bolster the roster immediately.
Neuqua Valley
Head coach: Bill Ellinghaus (8th season, 54-21)
Last year's record: 6-4
Key returners: Mark Gronowski (QB), Sean Larkin (WR), Patrick Hoffman (WR).
Notable newcomers: Jack Belskis (LB).
Outlook: Losing running back Will Chevalier to graduation hurts, but the Wildcats should be in good shape offensively with starting QB Mark Gronowski returning along with receivers Sean Larkin, a Southern Illinois commit, and Patrick Hoffman. Defensively, things are a bit more difficult to predict, but linebacker Jack Belskis, a Metea Valley transfer, will help. The Wildcats will be tested right away against an improved Glenbard North team followed by Stevenson and East St. Louis before opening conference play against DeKalb.
Waubonsie Valley
Head Coach: Paul Murphy (15th season, 97-51)
Last year's record: 7-4
Key returners: Bryce Logan (RB), Sam Skuja (OT), Charlie Millington (OG), Ryan Mutz (LB), Joey Gits (DL), Ethan Nelson (QB), Demari Wilson (TE/DE), Grayson Griffin (OLB), Myles Pettaway (WR)
Notable newcomers: Sean Clinton (WR), Elijah Lee (WR/DB), Josh Stevens (DB), Antonio Torres (FS/RB), Tyler Sullivan (S), Max Connolly (OL), Gavin metzger (OL), Gustavo Azevedo (OL), Logan Schertler (LB), Jordan Young (LB/DE), Charles Hobbs (LB/WR)
Outlook: Waubonsie Valley brings back running back Bryce Logan, who has an offer from Air Force, to spearhead a team looking for another Class 8A playoff berth and to compete for a DuPage Valley title. The Warriors have some valuable experience in the trenches with Sam Skuja and Charlie Millington on offense, and Joey Gits and Demari Wilson on defense. Numbers are a concern for the Warriors with only 37 players on the varsity roster to start the season.