Looking at the school year that was, it was a pretty good year

No time for small talk. Let's get right to the chronological list of the top 10 moments for DuPage County boys high school athletics in the 2007-08 school year.

Next week in this spot -- in our final Sports Extra edition of the school year -- fellow Daily Herald sports writer David Oberhelman unveils the top 10 girls moments.

Oct. 19, 2007: WHEATON -- In perhaps the most memorable football game in DuPage Valley Conference history, unbeatens Wheaton Warrenville South and Naperville North square off in the regular-season finale.

WW South claims a 42-41 triple-overtime victory to overcome the Huskies and all-state quarterback Jordan Tassio. After Mike Piatkowski throws a touchdown pass to Mike Sloboda, Piatkowski scores on a keeper for the 2-point conversion play that gives the Tigers the win.

Nov. 3, 2007: PEORIA -- Led by senior standout Chris Derrick, Neuqua Valley wins the Class 3A cross country state title with 86 points. Derrick claims the individual title by 20 seconds to help the Wildcats beat perennial power York by 19 points.

The first year of the three-class system gives Neuqua Valley's program its first state championship.

Nov. 23-24, 2007: CHAMPAIGN -- It's another title-filled weekend for local football teams.

In tribute to longtime Driscoll assistant coach Mike "Loci" Loconsole, who passed away two weeks earlier, the Highlanders win their seventh straight state title by beating Bloomington Central Catholic 48-24 for the Class 4A championship.

The next day three DuPage Valley Conference teams play for state titles -- a first for the prestigious league. After WW South falls 7-3 to Lake Zurich in the Class 7A final, Naperville North beats Glenbard North 46-19 for the 8A title.

Feb. 16 and Feb. 23, 2008: CHAMPAIGN and MOLINE -- In the individual state wrestling meet in Champaign, Glenbard North is the talk of the tournament with three champions.

Tony Ramos wins at 125 pounds, Jimmy Chase at 130 and Vince Ramos at 145. Downers South's Ben Apland claims the 215-pound championship and Montini's Garrett Goebel caps the night with a title at 285.

The next weekend in Moline, Montini wins its sixth dual team state title and its first in Class AA. Inspired by a 29-27 quarterfinal victory over Glenbard North, the Broncos beat Providence 37-25 in the final.

Feb. 23, 2008: EVANSTON -- Neuqua Valley and Brian Alden bring home the program's first boys swimming and diving state title by a 5-point margin over New Trier.

Alden wins the 50- and 100-yard freestyle titles for a third straight season, and anchors the state champion 200 free relay team. Also at the meet, Lake Park's Bryant Honsa wins the 500 free title.

March 5, 2008: AURORA -- In a stunner between District 204 rivals, Neuqua Valley's basketball team rallies from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Waubonsie Valley 56-51 in the Class 4A East Aurora sectional semifinals.

Two days later the Wildcats beat Bartlett to win the program's first sectional title.

May 9-10, 2008: BARRINGTON -- On the 25th anniversary of its previous gymnastics title, York wins another by topping Lincoln-Way East 163.7-161.6.

In the next day's individual competition, Wheaton co-op's Tim Krueger earns the vault and parallel bars title while Naperville Central's Keith Lage wins the still rings championship. With duplicate scores they share the floor exercise title.

May 24, 2008: ARLINGTON HTS. -- For an IHSA record 19th time Hinsdale Central wins a team state tennis championship behind a third-place singles finish by Augie Bloom and a fifth-place doubles finish by Dan Ballantine and Ian Tesmond.

The Red Devils' second straight title comes by a razor-thin margin of 37-36 over Stevenson.

May 24, 2008: CHARLESTON -- It's a great day to throw for the local lads in the state track and field meet.

Lake Park's Dan Block wins the shot put title with a toss of 63 feet, 3¾ inches. In the discus Waubonsie Valley's Brett Einbecker edges Block, the defending champion, with a throw of 184 feet.

???: TBA -- Moment No. 10 is reserved for the unfinished business that remains.

Wheaton Warrenville South, Glenbard East and Neuqua Valley compete in today's volleyball state quarterfinals in Hoffman Estates. Class 3A and 4A baseball sectional finals are slated for Saturday.

The whirlwind ends soon enough but don't despair. Football two-a-days are only two months away.