If you think this season was fun, just wait until next year

The engraving hasn't yet cooled on the state championship football trophies, but it's already time to start thinking about next year.

Here are five reasons to look forward to the 2010 season in DuPage County.

1. A first look: Many football fans wish the season extended another week so Class 7A champion Wheaton Warrenville South could get another crack at 8A champion Maine South, which beat the Tigers 27-9 in Week 2.

In lieu of a rematch, we'll get the next best thing when the dueling state champions meet again in Week 2 next year.

For openers, though, we'll be treated to a Week 1 showdown between Montini and Joliet Catholic in a rematch of last week's 29-28 victory by the Broncos in the Class 5A final.

2. The players: WW South junior quarterback Reilly O'Toole figures to attract a large chunk of the college attention in the Class of 2011, but many other players add to the recruiting picture.

Naperville North linebacker Nick Lifka shot on the radar with a breakout sophomore season in 2008 and only improved his stock this season by being named the DuPage Valley Conference's defensive player of the year. According to retiring Huskies coach Larry McKeon, Lifka's being contacted nationally by schools such as Alabama and Oregon.

The 2009 season turned out to be the year of the quarterback in these parts, but next season the focus may shift to the offensive line, a traditional strong point in DuPage County. Glenbard West's Jordan Walsh, Benet's Pat Flavin and Hinsdale Central's Jack Allen are just a few of the junior players emerging.

An interesting player to watch will be Naperville Central's Hayden Daniels. The All-Area junior was a quarterback until this season when he moved to wide receiver - the same move made by his older brothers at the college level.

Harrison Daniels transitioned to receiver at Princeton, while Owen did the same at Wisconsin. Considering Owen's now a Pro Bowl tight end in the NFL for the Houston Texans, it's safe to say the move worked out pretty well.

Nick Linne's graduation creates a need at quarterback for Naperville Central next season, a void Hayden Daniels is poised to fill. Projecting Daniels as a receiver, though, will be easy for colleges after his all-DVC junior season.

3. The teams: Nothing new here. Expect to see WW South and Glenbard West at the top of the preseason state rankings in 2010 along with usual suspects Joliet Catholic, Maine South and St. Rita.

Naperville North is the dark horse DuPage team heading into next year. Injuries forced the Huskies to work many younger players into their lineup this season, experience that will be extremely valuable when added to the talent of juniors such as Lifka and quarterback Matt LaCosse.

And with a new coach at Naperville North for the first time since the Reagan administration, it should be a fascinating season for the Huskies.

4. The independent: Anyone looking for a game? Give Glenbard South a call.

Because of the dissolution of the Western Sun Conference, the Raiders will be independent next football season. In 2011 they'll join Fenton, Riverside-Brookfield, Elmwood Park and Ridgewood in the football grouping of the Metro Suburban Conference.

Glenbard South has filled about half its schedule for next season, including an opening slate of Glenbard West and Fenton. The Raiders picked up Benet, which was searching for an opponent after St. Joseph left the East Suburban Catholic Conference.

Part of the solution may have to be out-of-state teams, but the Raiders hope to fill the schedule more locally.

5. The Upstate 14: Part of the Western Sun's fade included the move of Geneva and Batavia to the Upstate Eight Conference. With Metea Valley joining the varsity ranks next season, the UEC will expand to 14 schools divided into two divisions of seven.

Metea Valley, a third District 204 school along with Waubonsie and Neuqua Valley, went a combined 19-6 at the freshman and sophomore levels this year. They'll be coached by former St. Charles East head coach and WW South defensive coordinator Ted Monken.