Scouting Neuqua Valley at Naperville North
Neuqua Valley at Naperville North
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
Last year: Naperville North 28, Neuqua Valley 21 (OT).
Outlook: In what was an outstanding opener to the 2009 season, on its own field Neuqua Valley allowed leads of 7-0 and 14-7 to slip away against the Huskies. Bringing back nine defensive starters, including top two tacklers T.J. Rhattigan at linebacker and Mike Festa at safety (each of them made 12 tackles in last year's game), the emphasis is on not letting things like that happen. Neuqua Valley also returns a stunning three-man defensive end rotation of Michael Ippolito, Leif Munson and Kevin McCormick and a cornerback, Alex Malandro, whom Wildcats coach Bryan Wells calls the best corner he's coached. It would be surprising if Neuqua allows Naperville North to double the time of possession as it did over Neuqua in 2009. If the defense fulfills its potential, there's less pressure on quarterback Jeff Samuels - though it will be fun to watch Samuels hit 6-foot-4, 230-pound tight end Dan Menendez. A new era begins at Naperville North, although it looks mighty similar to the old one. With the retirement of legendary coach Larry McKeon, longtime defensive coordinator Sean Drendel takes the helm. From now on, though, he'll be handling the offense. He inherits one of the area's top quarterbacks in 6-7, 225-pound senior Matt LaCosse, running back Mike Sianta and Soern Osborne - the lone returning offensive lineman. The big question is what type of offense will Drendel run? The Huskies are known for the double wing, but they've also run the spread quite a bit. Maybe Drendel will unveil some brand new wrinkles. Six-two, 240-pound linebacker Nick Lifka was one of the state's top-recruited players until he committed in the summer to Boston College. Junior Nick Krejci, who last season moved from defense to offense, shifts back to defense. A good athlete who could play linebacker, Krejci may play on the line. If he does, that unit becomes even stronger with returners Brandon Williamson, Pat Meath and Mike Kang.
Next week: Naperville Central at Neuqua Valley; Naperville North at St. Charles East.