This is not your older brother's Suburban Catholic Conference
Addition by addition.
That seems to be the train of thought regarding the new Suburban Christian Conference, an amalgam of Suburban Catholic Conference and Private School League teams plus a Chicago Catholic League refugee.
"I'm very much in favor of the new alignment of schools," said Montini coach Chris Andriano, long enough in Lombard to have led the Broncos in the long-gone West Suburban Catholic. "It protects our conference and our overall strength."
That last bit is open to debate with the closing of Driscoll, the SCC's former 800-pound gorilla that won state titles in 1991 and each year from 2001-07.
"I think it used to be a good football league. And now I think the two divisions, it's a different look," said St. Francis coach Greg Purnell, fresh off the Class 5A state title. "That two-division setup, you lose your traditional rivalries when you replace some of the teams with (others) that came in - and you lose Driscoll, that hurts."
No doubt. On the other hand, welcoming Aurora Christian, Chicago Christian, Wheaton Academy, Guerin and, in 2010-11 Walther Lutheran, adds a Class 4A runner-up (Aurora Christian), playoff teams in 17 and nine straight seasons (Walther and Chicago Christian, respectively), and a resurgent Wheaton Academy.
"Two years ago when I heard about making this move I was scared, going to the conference," said Warriors coach Ben Wilson. "Now, it's like we're ready to compete. We're excited about it, I think it's better for our program."
No team may welcome the division between large-school Blue and the smaller Gold group than St. Edward, seeking its elusive third playoff berth in history.
Yes, Immaculate Conception returns 1,500-yard fullback Carlos Rodriguez, three-year starting quarterback Will Cronin and a slew of Driscoll transfers that lift the Knights to Gold favorite over blazing fast yet inexperienced Aurora Christian.
But St. Edward, where four-year starter Shane Finnane heads a linebacker corps returning 11 seasons of varsity experience, will no longer see a constant diet of Montini, Driscoll, Marmion and St. Francis, though the Green Wave hosts Marian Central in a crossover.
"I know for a fact we've played some of the best teams in the state over the past four years, and we've gotten better and better," said St. Edward coach Mike Rolando. "I'm very confident we've played with the best. Hopefully, that's prepared us to compete with the best."
With St. Francis graduating perhaps a once-in-a-career class of skilled players, defending SCC champion Montini looks to hold off challenges from the Spartans, Marian and dark horse Marmion, sophomore winners in 2007.
The Broncos offer 6-foot-6 college prospect Brandon Pechloff at quarterback, leading tackler Ryan Gorrell and Driscoll transfer running back Nick Campanella, arguably the Highlanders' top player in 2008.
Under Greg Purnell, St. Francis may simply reload. The Spartans dealt Montini its only 2008 loss in the 5A quarterfinals and visit Montini in Week 4.
"Don't ever discount a state champ," Andriano cautioned.