East powers look to make a statement

Mid-Suburban East football is looking for a return to semi-tough status.

From 2001 to 2006 a team from the division reached the state semifinals. The streak ended last season when Rolling Meadows lost in the second round in Class 7A.

So will more overall strength - and the fact there seems to be no clear-cut favorite - equate to a stronger team or teams emerging in November?

"I think everyone is better and I think any team can compete with anybody," said Prospect coach Brent Pearlman. "I think we're returning to where we need to be to have a great team come out of our conference."

Three-time 7A state champion Prospect believes it has a chance to emerge as that type of team. Junior quarterback Miles Osei hopes last year's tough lessons pay off as he operates a five wide receiver offense with speedy John Coen and 6-foot-2 Mike Przespolewski as dangerous threats.

And Pearlman has seen signs of the defense building toward a high level of success.

"Prospect just doesn't beat themselves very often," said Meadows coach Doug Millsaps.

The same is true for Meadows in a five-year playoff run.

There are a lot of major players from last year's East co-champions to replace. But the Mustangs are expecting big things from junior quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and running back Daquan Edwards had three 100-yard games last season.

The line should be a strength with third-year starter Tom Davidson at center. Davidson will also be a key at linebacker and Erick Louis-Charles and Ernie Woodbury leading the way up front.

"Meadows is going to be good," said Wheeling coach Dave Dunbar. "I know they lost some good players, but talking to Doug, they feel good about their chances."

So does Wheeling as it looks to defend its share of the division title and make consecutive playoff appearances for the first time.

The Wildcats will pose plenty of problems with multitalented quarterback Matt Holmes and big-time receiving threat James Kurtz. Hard-hitting safety Mike Zimmer and linebackers Garrett Pohlmeier and Danny Vargas anchor the 3-5-3 defense.

The key is answering questions up front on both sides.

"Wheeling's got to be the team to beat," said Hersey coach Mark Gunther. "They have some top athletes, they have momentum and a system (3-5-3) they're really comfortable with.

"Offensively they have playmakers who can break games wide open at any time."

Buffalo Grove also has a dangerous playmaker in running back Josh Hampton as first-year coach Jim Farrell tries to end a four-year playoff drought.

But Farrell will also have the Bison throwing with senior quarterback J.P. Kulick. Third-year varsity starters John Pischak and Alan Baxter return to wreak havoc up front defensively.

"It helps me to understand our potential as a team because I'm not coming into the East blind," said Farrell, who was Elk Grove's offensive coordinator. "I know there are some returning playoff teams that will be strong again, but I feel we should be jockeying with those teams for the top half of the conference."

Elk Grove hopes to also make a run at the upper half behind senior middle linebacker-running back Jake Meyer. Sophomore quarterback Nick Meyer will be a threat running and passing and Jake Pfister figures to have an impact at linebacker.

"We're happy to be there again," Elk Grove coach Tom Whalen said of the 2004 team picked fourth that won the East and reached the 7A quarterfinals. "I like to think we're a sleeping giant right now."

Hersey also expects better things with a still-young crew that got a lot of experience because of injuries and depth issues.

Junior Steve Nelson takes over at quarterback behind an experienced line. Safety Anthony Maginity will be one of the leaders on defense.

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