Vikings expect victory

Success is expected from Fremd football.

The proof is in a Mid-Suburban League record 13 straight playoff trips and a record-tying 3 consecutive outright division titles.

But the Vikings don't expect their West reign to continue free and clear of tests this fall.

"I think the West will be as balanced as it's ever been," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci. "Everybody is going to be able to beat everybody and that's good.

"The competition will definitely help us when it comes playoff time."

Fremd is still regarded as the one to beat as it tries to become the first MSL team to win four straight undisputed division titles and join Hersey (1971-76) as the only teams with six successive outright or shared crowns.

"You've got to keep picking Fremd until somebody beats them," Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling said of something no one has done in its last 19 West games.

"Unless someone dethrones them they're the team to beat," said Joe Sanchez, whose Barrington team was the last one to accomplish the feat in the 2004 division opener.

A four-year run of Tolziens at quarterback (Scott and Mark) is over for Fremd but senior Mike Tauchman moves from receiver and defensive back to bring an athletic dimension to the position.

Senior 1,000-yard rusher Mike Gyetvay and senior receiver Andrew Corso are healthy and ready to go behind a line anchored by guard Jim Norris and junior Division I tackle prospect Christian Lombard (6-foot-6, 285 pounds).

Linebacker Jonathon Diegel returns and Ben Perna moves from defensive end to linebacker to reduce shoulder wear and tear. There are a lot of new faces but Fremd has a tradition of not letting openings become gaping holes.

"As blessed as we've been with talent," Donatucci said, "the strength of the program is the kids who sit on the sidelines junior year and how they've learned to prepare."

Fremd's toughest competition could come from across town as Palatine ended a 10-year playoff drought last year.

Senior quarterback Matt Rossi enters his third year as a starter and it's his ballgame as Palatine goes to a spread offense from a double-wing. Rossi has speed to work with at receiver, left tackle Kevin Dann (6-3, 250) returns on a deep and athletic line and speedy Chris Norman is a dangerous running threat.

There is plenty of experience on a defense led by All-Area middle linebacker Ryan Cortez.

"They've made a big step up," Sanchez said.

Barrington is looking to step back into the postseason after a five-year run ended because of a lack of playoff points.

Putting up points shouldn't be a problem for an offense with athletes such as quarterback Cody Seeger, running back Sam Ojuri and receivers Terrance Terry, Kevin Crowley and Daniel Evers. Limiting the damage defensively will be the key for the Broncos.

"I think Barrington has the most coming back from returning talent," said Conant coach Bill Modelski.

But one of the teams that kept Barrington out of the playoffs is Hoffman Estates, which returns 18 starters in hopes of ending a 14-year postseason drought.

Senior Jerome Henderson is a dual threat at cornerback and on offense with quarterback Frank Wadas. Third-year senior starters Greg Carroll at middle linebacker and Tom Dombrowski at free safety are the defensive backbone.

Schaumburg lost two of the area's biggest threats in Mick Trimarco and quarterback Cody Logsdon. But senior John Mejia returns to lead an experienced offensive line and the return of Perrish Bell after a year off with a back problem will be a boost on both sides of the ball.

Conant also expects to be improved with Sean Smith leading a more wide-open offense and safety-wide receiver Ryan Amundson bringing plenty of speed.

"Things aren't going to be easy for anybody," Modelski said.

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