On this night, everyone's even and hope is the equalizer
And - they're off!!!
Yes, it's Opening Night. The one night of the high school sports season that thousands of people statewide circle on their calendar the minute the previous school year ends in the spring.
The one night that the hopes, expectations and dreams of every football coach, player and fan around the state are filled with thoughts of Champaign and a shot at a state championship.
The one night the brats and pork chop sandwiches taste great (well, that's every Friday night at most places) and the sideline jockeys get to know their new team.
The one night everyone's even, and it matters little if you were a state champ last year or 0-9.
It's a new season and the anticipation of that first kickoff has been building for everyone all summer. And now it's here.
So to prime you just a little for tonight and Saturday, we offer some random team-by-team thoughts for the new season for each of our schools in the northern Fox Valley. And away we go.
Elgin: My guy Jerry tells me this could be a playoff year for the Maroons, who haven't seen the postseason or even been close since Barry Reade led them there in 2001. The key to Elgin's postseason chances lies in the first three weeks. If the Maroons can get at least two wins against the likes of Dundee-Crown, West Aurora and Streamwood, it would mean a lot for Elgin's playoff chances. A 3-0 start would give the Maroons an excellent chance.
Larkin: New coach Mike Scianna didn't inherit the best of situations at Larkin, one that was made worse this week when it was learned that nine players, a couple of them projected starters at key positions, were ruled ineligible. Scianna and the Royals will have to roll with the punches and try to improve each week against a tough schedule that starts with McHenry tonight at Memorial Field.
South Elgin: We've used a lot of clichés around the name Storm since South Elgin opened, but this year we may have to find some new ones. South Elgin looks loaded and one thing we know is that Dale Schabert can produce a winner. With a ton of talent back from last year's 7-3 playoff team, one would have to think South Elgin is poised to make a run at the Upstate Eight Valley title (OK, I admit, I can't get used to this whole UEC Valley and UEC River thing yet). Like Elgin, the first three weeks will tell a lot about the Storm's future. Opening against St. Charles North tonight will be no easy task and then traditional state power Metamora comes to town before the UEC Valley opener against Lake Park.
Bartlett: After nine straight years in the playoffs, 2009 was a setback for the Hawks, who finished just 3-6. Coach Tom Meaney's crew is hoping to get back to the postseason this year and challenge for the UEC Valley title, but a tough schedule awaits. A key nonconference matchup is in Week 2 when Bartlett travels to Crystal Lake South, a team many believe can unseat perennial Fox Valley Conference power Cary-Grove this season.
Streamwood: The Sabres have struggled to just 4 wins in the past four seasons but have three winnable games to start the season with Antioch, Dundee-Crown and Elgin. As we all know, winning breeds confidence and if Streamwood can get off to a 2-1 or 3-0 start, this could be a different season for the black and gold.
Cary-Grove: Absolutely the king of Fox Valley area football teams, the Trojans are reloading for another run at greatness - one they achieved last year with the Class 6A state championship. C-G will be tested in the FVC Valley this season as many believe this could be the best Crystal Lake South team in years, and others in the division have improved as well. But until someone knocks them off their perch, the Trojans are still the team to beat, and Bruce Kay is one of the best coaches in the state with one of the best coaching staffs in the state. A Week 2 matchup with Lake Zurich and then the annual battle with CL South in Week 8 loom as the Trojans' toughest tests.
Jacobs: The Bill Mitz era begins with renewed optimism for a program that has struggled the last few years. A Hall of Famer, Mitz will bring to Jacobs a winning attitude and style unlike many others. His record at Stevenson, 197-98 in 22 years, speaks for itself. The Mitz factor alone allows us to say the Golden Eagles could be a sleeper to keep an eye on this season.
Dundee-Crown: Another program that has struggled for wins in recent years is hoping to turn the corner this season as Mike Davis begins his seventh season at 1 Charger Country. Again, that whole confidence thing could come into play if D-C can win its first two games against Elgin and Streamwood. The FVC Valley is one of the toughest leagues in the state so the Chargers will have to make some hay in their nonconference games to have a shot at the playoffs for the first time since 1994.
Huntley: The Matt Gehrig era begins in Huntley and one thing we know about Gehrig is that he's a go-getter. A graduate of Burlington Central who played at Eastern Illinois, Gehrig knows what it takes to win and he got the very most out of his two teams at Larkin. Huntley has some talent returning and could be a dark horse to pull a couple of upsets in the FVC Valley this season. Week 2 at home against Kaneland will be a good test to see where the Red Raiders stand.
Crystal Lake South: Is this the Year of the Gator??? Many observers feel this could be the year South knocks Cary-Grove from the FVC Valley mountain top and with a ton of experience returning they could be right. New coach Chuck Ahsmann has the pieces in place for another great season, but South fans have to feel it won't be complete until they can hoist the FVC Valley championship trophy. Week 8 - Cary-Grove at CL South. Might want to claim your seat now - that one could draw 7,000 or better.
Burlington Central: The Rockets have been on a two-year playoff hiatus but with Timmy Maroder moving to the backfield along with returnee Tre Llanes, a trip back to the postseason is not out of the question for seventh-year coach Aaron Wichman and BC. Three of the four nonconference games - against Kaneland, Sycamore and Stillman Valley - are tough lead-ins to the Big Northern East season but if the Rockets can hit the BN-E schedule at 3-1 or 2-2, a postseason appearance would be a lot more likely.
Hampshire: The Whip-Purs are on the Big Northern Conference Farewell Tour this season as they head to the Fox Valley Conference in 2011. So can coach Dan Cavanaugh's crew make some noise this season after missing out on the playoffs at 4-5 last year? Again, nonconference games will tell the tale as the Whips have tough ones with St. Edward, DeKalb, Stillman Valley and Genoa-Kingston before their final run through the Big Northern East.
St. Edward: The corner was turned last year when coach Mike Rolando's crew made the playoffs for the first time since 2001 by going 6-3. Many think the Green Wave could challenge for the Suburban Christian Gold title this season. After playing Hampshire and Rockford Lutheran in their first two games, the Gold opener at Greg True Field against Immaculate Conception on Sept. 10 will be a good gauge as to how far St. Edward will go this season. One thing is for sure - no one works harder than Rolando and his staff and they've done a remarkable job of rebuilding a program that was a complete doormat when they took over six years ago.
So there's your Fox Valley football primer. When all is said and done, it's only words and thoughts. The ones who will decide all of the above are the young men who hit the trenches for real this weekend.
Get out to a game, have some fun, be positive and support your team. The new season is here and we're looking forward to providing you with the best possible coverage of football and every other sport again this school year.
Now, could I get a couple of those pork chops please?
jradtke@dailyherald.com