Previewing: Neuqua Valley

Talk about motivation.

Neuqua Valley's 2008 record of 4-5 produced the Wildcats' first non-playoff season since 2001.

Coach Bryan Wells' squad will try to turn that around against another motivator - a schedule including the Weeks 1-2 punch of Naperville North and Naperville Central, rival Waubonsie Valley, fellow Upstate Eight Conference heavies Bartlett, St. Charles East and St. Charles North plus Indiana Class 4A state champ Cathedral.

"I'd stack our schedule up with most anybody's," Wells said. "That being said, I think we'll be a very solid ballclub that will be able to go out and compete every week - and I think we'll go out and have something to prove every week."

It will be interesting to see what the spread offense presents after graduating every skill player with big numbers, like Wildcat record-board receivers Josh Schaffer, Mike Camire and Conner Yearian, and the program's career and single-season leader in passing yardage and touchdown passes, Alex Lincoln.

Neuqua gets a good start on the offensive line, returning starters Ricky Allen, Devashish Potdar and Kyle Covington plus senior Connor McKinney. Senior Cody Hammond heads what Wells calls a "running back by committee." Hopefully the committee isn't wrecked by injury as in 2008.

There's no slasher back like an Anton Wilkins or Alan Smith, Wells said, but he thinks quarterback Joe Ippolito will be that type.

"He throws the ball very well, but certainly his legs are the key ingredient," Wells said of the senior.

Depth and a strong junior class - 8-1 as sophomores - are evident on both sides of the ball, though the 3-5 defense is topped by senior nose tackle Christian Eble, tied for sixth last year with 40 tackles, 10 for loss.

"I think we're pretty athletic up front on both sides of the ball, and that's pretty good," Wells said.