Dividing line seems clear in CSL North race
There is a clear dividing line in Central Suburban North football.
"Glenbrook North, Highland Park and Deerfield, I think you could intermix those three," said Maine East coach Len LaBonar of the division title chase.
"It's probably between the three of us," said Deerfield coach Steve Winiecki.
Glenbrook North has 18 starters back as it goes for its sixth North title since 1999, a year after Maine South moved to the CSL South.
But Highland Park will defend its North crown with quarterback Johnny Lindquist (2,400 yards, 26 TDs).
"I truly believe you're the conference champion until someone knocks you off," said GBN coach Bob Pieper. "Highland Park is the king of the hill right now and we're all climbing that hill."
Lindquist won't have the same across-the-board speed at receiver this year. But the Giants still have good ones in senior Rob Nault (750 yards, 6 TDs), Courtney Frison and 6-foot-4 Tellis Lundsvall.
Josh Nieto and baseball standout Jimmy Risi are back at linebacker.
"I think our front seven is going to be very, very tough," said Highland Park coach Kurt Weinberg. "The question-mark is our defensive backfield."
Glenbrook North also has a familiar name at quarterback in junior Zach McMahon. The son of former Bears quarterback Jim McMahon started the last 4 games last year and threw for 320 yards and 3 TDs.
Running back-linebacker Dan Carroll (250 yards, 5 TDs) and tailback Chris Collins (403 yards) also started late in the year. Other key returnees are receiver-safety Eric Brunner (31 catches, 555 yards, 4 TDs) and receiver-linebacker Evan Christensen.
Running backs Shawn Sally and Milos Antic will be among seven juniors starting on offense with a sophomore at Deerfield.
The Warriors' top returnees are senior strong safety-receiver Sean Derrig, running back-defensive back Brian Miller, who Winiecki considers a legitimate Division I kicker, and two-way lineman Chris McIntyre.
"We'll be young up front but we've got kids who are real physical so we're excited about that," Winiecki said.
Looking to break into the upper half is Niles North. Quarterback Chris Flores, who moved from receiver, tailback Terry Turner and wide receiver Jeff Williams are excellent athletes.
The Vikings also return their top defensive player in middle linebacker Christian Rojas.
"I'd like to think we're right in that (top) mix," said third-year Niles North coach Scott Smith. "I feel like we should be able to compete with them."
Former Maine South assistant Chris Hare hopes for the same in his new job at Maine West. Sean Willett returns at quarterback and two-way linemen Jared Golojuch and Oscar Herrera are varsity veterans for a senior-laden starting lineup.
"Chris is going to do a great job there," said Winiecki, who also had Hare on his staff at Deerfield for a year.
Maine East hopes to keep making strides toward the upper half as LaBonar has 25 seniors for his third season.
Twin brothers Avery (6-5, 210) and Plez Roche (6-2, 180) play receiver but their strength is at defensive end. LaBonar said Avery Roche is getting interest from Toledo, Eastern Michigan and Eastern Illinois.
Four offensive linemen are back and LaBonar likes the arm and presence of junior quarterback Josh Myers. Senior linebacker Jason Lau is another key returnee.
"The key thing is we have to go from the 30- to 40-point losses," LaBonar said of competing with the top three, "to closing the gap and keeping teams on their toes."