Partnerships eluding remaining DVC schools
After struggling in attempts to expand its roster of schools, the DuPage Valley Conference has announced it will be a league of five for the 2018-19 school year.
Metea Valley principal Darrell Echols, the president of the DVC, said in a statement that the league - featuring the Mustangs, Naperville Central, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley - still seeks future expansion.
"The remaining members of the DVC have a great deal of respect for high schools throughout the suburban Chicago area and recognize the rich potential for partnerships with other schools," he said.
The announcement comes in the wake of November's announcement by four current DVC schools that leave the league in 2018-19. Glenbard North, Lake Park, Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South will form the DuKane Conference with current Upstate Eight Conference members Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles East and St. Charles North.
The remaining DVC members invited other area schools to join the DVC, but the schools declined. Four months into 2017, the DVC needs to move forward and begin filling thin athletic schedules for 2018-19.
Scheduling will be especially difficult in football. For now there are no plans for the five remaining teams to play each other twice, which was the case in 2014 when the DVC stood at six schools.
Naperville Central's football team, according to coach Mike Stine, will play Lincoln-Way East in Week 2 and Cary-Grove in Week 9 of 2018, but the Redhawks still need nonconference games for Weeks 1, 3 and 4.
Like last season when four DVC schools had to go out of state to find nonconference games, expect the five remaining DVC football teams to do plenty of traveling in 2018.
"We will continue our efforts to seek creative solutions to conference alignments as well as partnerships with schools interested in expanding the possibilities for their student bodies and communities," Echols said.
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