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Joliet Central
Head Coach: Fred Gandy (1st season)
Last year's record: 3-6
Key returners: Jaylen Berry, Jaren Smith, Rudy Barefield, Andrew Murphy.
Notable newcomers: Noah Bailey, Keyvon Webb
Outlook: Joliet Central starts the season with a new coach and a new conference. The Steelmen will be tested right away with games against 2018 playoff teams in four of the first five weeks. Gandy said that the program wants to establish a brand of football this season. Andrew Murphy played wide receiver last season and will slide over to quarterback. Jaylin Berry will likely be Murphy's top receiving target. Linebacker Jaren Smith leads the defense and was name to the all-conference team last season.
Joliet West
Head Coach: Bill Lech (2nd season, 3-6)
Last year's record: 3-6
Key returners: Hunter Brooks (OL), Thomas Luedke (LB), Anthony Peterson (OL), Danarius Poole (DL), James Zillinger (RB), Trent Howland (RB).
Outlook: If games are truly decided in the trenches, look for the Tigers to make a dramatic uptick in success this season. A potential massive offensive line gives the Tigers a solid offensive base, and if coach Bill Lech is right that he has "a stable" of running backs at his disposal then it's pretty clear where they will lean offensively. Defensively, the Tigers also have some imposing size to give opponents problems.
Plainfield Central
Head Coach: Jon Pereiro
Last year's record: 2-7 (4th season, 6-21)
Key returners: Brandon Shoemaker (RB/DB), Bruce Pendleton (RB/DB), Logan Palmiter (WR/DB), Dillon Koty (WR/DB).
Outlook: Plainfield Central has what on paper appears to be multiple returning starters, but many of those returning starters are playing on both sides of the football. Several of those are capable of performing double duty, but ultimately the Wildcats are looking to lighten the load of some of those players by working in some promising newcomers to the program so players aren't fatigued to the point where they can't keep up in what appears to be a daunting schedule, particularly the first portion.
Plainfield East
Head Coach: Brad Kunz (1st season)
Last year's record: 3-6
Key returners: Brian Tape (DB), Samuel Amponsah (LB), Javen Mays (WR), Nick Smith (WR), Dale Dambek (LB).
Outlook: Plainfield East will lean heavily on its defensive unit in the early going, especially considering most of the returning starters on the squad reside on that side of the football. Brian Tape, a 6-foot-3 cornerback, is drawing Division I interest, while Dale Dambek and Samuel Amponseh are both playmakers from the linebacker position. The offense might take some time to progress and the Bengals are considering rotating quarterbacks. Whomever is throwing the football will have a number of capable weapons to chose from, particularly with all-conference performer Smith prepared to lead the way. Brad Kunz takes over the program after going 48-32 in eight seasons at Plano.
Plainfield South
Head Coach: Bill Bicker (4th season, 15-13)
Last year's record: 7-3
Key returners: Niko Schultz (QB), Jacob Mancini (OL), Paul Sebert (OL), Arthur Anthony (RB), Ahmad Thompson (RB/DB).
Outlook: Plainfield South has established itself as a gritty, workhorse type of football team and there's little reason to believe that's going to change despite a significant loss of players to graduation. Ahmad Thompson is capable of being a playmaker on both sides of the football, and while Niko Schultz has some significant shoes to fill in replacing last year's wrecking ball of a quarterback in Cody Dieball, he does bring a significant speed capability to the equation.
Romeoville
Head Coach: Oliver Gibson (5th season, 6-30)
Last year's record: 0-9
Key returners: Zach Gibson (QB), Keedan Foster (WR), Donovan Dehoyos (TE), Naurice Trent (RB).
Outlook: Romeoville's troubles last season stemmed largely from an inability to stop opponents, and while the offense wasn't consistent, it certainly showed some capabilities at times. Many of those pieces remain on the offensive side of the ball, and with improved play from the offensive line, the Spartans should be able to post some points. The key will be whether or not the defense can put the clamps down enough to help the Spartans find the win column.