Bartlett the pick in UEC
Break up Bartlett!
That could have been the rally cry within the Upstate Eight in the first half of this decade, when the Hawks won conference titles from 2001-03.
Coach Tom Meaney's team looks to have what it takes to return to the top in 2008 - namely experience in key positions after setting a program record for offensive yardage in 2007 - against a stiff challenge by Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley, St. Charles East, St. Charles North and resurgent Lake Park.
"(Meaney) all off-season has been talking about how this should be his year because he's got just about everybody back from last year's team," said Waubonsie Valley coach Paul Murphy, whose Warriors lost 18 starters from the club that shared the 2007 UEC title with St. Charles East.
At the core of Bartlett's quest for a conference title and ninth straight playoff berth is the solid one-two punch of returning quarterback Josh Hasenberg and three-year starting linebacker Kyle Zelinsky, a pair of all-UEC performers.
Zelinsky, voted by UEC coaches as one of the conference's top four defenders in 2007, is entertaining six college scholarship offers. Hasenberg, who'll operate behind several returning offensive linemen, passed for 377 yards a year ago against Class 8A runner-up Glenbard North. He's got receivers Cory Brown and Alex VanNess to throw to once again.
In what has become a football conference divided between those who reload and those who rebuild, Bartlett gets an early leg-up by playing Larkin, Elgin and East Aurora, each of whom were sub-.500 overall, though Larkin returns a 4-3 UEC record. The Hawks also visit Lake Park - more on the Lancers later.
Neuqua Valley, which owned at least a share of the conference title from 2004-06, is among the perpetually reloading. The Wildcats, who have Bartlett, Waubonsie Valley, Lake Park and both St. Charles schools on a grueling schedule, have their own returning starter at quarterback, Alex Lincoln.
Without the go-to running back of seasons past - though Nate Pena and Desmond Nolen may give opponents even more to defend - Lincoln will have more chances to throw to returning wideouts Conner Yearian and Western Michigan recruit Josh Schaffer. Watch the season opener at Naperville North to see what's in store for a defense that returns five starters.
"I think the top tier of the conference are all good teams," Neuqua coach Bryan Wells said. "Right now I'd put us in the bottom of that top tier, and by the end of the year I hope we'll be in the top. I think we've got to prove ourselves."
That will be Waubonsie Valley's refrain. From its 2007 co-title, the first since 1997, the Warriors returning only three-year quarterback Tyler Castro and three of four defensive line positions, particularly physical tackle Sherrod Stancil.
Murphy has resurrected this program from sub.-500 status. Should an all-new offensive line protect Castro and open some holes the Warriors will be competitive - provided a young linebacker corps and an all-new secondary get up to speed. With Indiana-bound kicker Mitch Ewald adding punting duties, Murphy expects his special teams to be among the area's best.
Like Waubonsie-Neuqua, St. Charles East in 2007 finally got over its district split with sister school St. Charles North - which returns quarterback Nick Neari and middle linebacker Jake Juriga - to take its first UEC title since 1998.
The Saints - second to Bartlett in the UEC forecast by Rivals.com's "Edgy" Tim O'Halloran - are like Bartlett in that they return impact players on both offense and defense. Offensively, running back Wes Allen is one of the fastest in the UEC. He'll be scooting behind an experienced offensive line. Defensively, Pat Friel is an all-conference returner at linebacker.
Elgin, Larkin and East Aurora appear farther from the top, while the first senior class for South Elgin, including receiver Josh Smith, makes this an intriguing entry. Streamwood looks to advance with better bulk on the line, a solid pair of wideouts in Derrick King and Tem Esikiel and returning quarterback Noel Rivera.
East Aurora brings a 14-game losing streak dating back to 2006 into this season.
Senior James Jones, a running back for part of last season, moves to quarterback, while Richard Jimenez, who played quarterback for a time in 2007, will be the team's starting tailback.
Senior Mike Turner (TB) gained over 450 yards as a junior last year.
Bryant is also excited about the prospects of his offensive line (which includes senior guard Juan Mejia).
Seniors Daimysei Jasper (free safety) and Dontrell Young (cornerback) are part of a secondary that possesses plenty of quickness. Defensive line play will also be key for the Tomcats, who continue their long-running city series tonight at West Aurora. West leads the all-time series (which dates back to 1893), 55-49.
Now, Lake Park. Between 1999-2002 the Lancers owned at least a share of the UEC title three times, and were a perennial playoff team. They've since staggered but could be on the up escalator in 2008.
Lake Park returns each of its top skilled-position players offensively, plus three returning offensive linemen. Linebackers Chris Buonavolanto and Ryan Gerts, who each made over 90 tackles in 2007, plus all-conference safety Nick Wiley head a defense that could send Lake Park among the contenders.
"There's going to be some great football," Lake Park coach Andy Livingston said. "But I would be remiss if I didn't think we weren't going to be in the hunt for a conference championship."
• Jerry Fitzpatrick, John Lemon and Mike Miazga contributed to this report.
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