Stop the presses: No. 1 North Central is changing quarterbacks

Statistically speaking, it's easier to get elected to the U.S. House of Representatives than to win the starting quarterback job at North Central College.

Luke Lehnen started every game for the Cardinals the past four years. Before that, Broc Rutter held down the job for four full seasons. In contrast, Congress holds elections every two years.

But the quarterback job is open and available right now at North Central, the preseason No. 1-ranked team in Division III. Naturally, coach Brad Spencer doesn't plan to announce a starter before Saturday's opener against Wisconsin-Oshkosh in Naperville. So let's look at the three main candidates:

· Senior Calvin Lavery has been the backup quarterback the past three years and has thrown for 457 yards. Given North Central's propensity for blowouts, he's seen plenty of game action.

“He knows the offense, knows the schemes, knows the culture,” Spencer said. “He's done a great job leading in the off-season.”

· Demir Ashiru (Plainfield North) transferred in January after spending two seasons at Division II power Ferris State and participated in spring practice. He's likely the best run threat of the three candidates.

“We recruited him out of high school,” Spencer said. “He's really good at throwing the ball on the move, good at throwing the ball underneath. He shares some qualities that Luke had.”

· Sophomore Garret Wilson walked on at Oklahoma State as a freshman, then decided to test a different path and arrived at North Central this summer.

“He has a lot of arm talent,” Spencer said. “He can move enough in the pocket to create problems. He probably compares a little bit more to Broc Rutter in terms of his style of play. Very accurate, strong arm, anticipates windows.”

Spencer suggested it's possible more than one quarterback takes snaps in Saturday's game, but that remains to be seen.

Whoever wins the job has big cleats to fill. Lehnen was a two-time winner of the Gagliardi Trophy, essentially the Division III Heisman, and was a backup for the Arlington Renegades in the UFL last spring.

Throwing the ball is high on the Cardinals' wish list, since they return three of the top four receivers from last year — Luke Skokna (Hinsdale Central), Jack Rummell and Myles Walton. NIU transfer Jalen Johnson (Metea Valley) has joined the mix.

Leading rusher Joe Sacco graduated, but North Central's run game should be in good shape with Sean Allen, Jordan Williams and Donovan McNeal (Warren), who was named the CCIW newcomer of the year last fall.

But while the quarterback race is interesting, the offensive line might be the greatest concern. The Cardinals graduated four starters, with center Jerred Durian (Marmion) the only returnee.

The defense should be loaded. Defensive tackle John Sullivan (Lakes) was the CCIW defensive player of the year. Sullivan, defensive lineman Cortez Jones, safety Brayden Garrigan (Providence) and cornerback Rahmareon Roby were all named preseason All-Americans.

Dealing with high expectations should be no concern. Since 2019, North Central has won three national titles, appeared in the national championship game five years in a row and been ranked No. 1 more often than not.

Another trip to the championship is the outside expectation, but Spencer knows no team begins a season at the top of the mountain.

“It's cliché, but you've got to enjoy the journey, enjoy the build, enjoy the climb,” he said. “Every year, you've got to climb the mountain again. You never arrive. You're never there. You've just got to start climbing again. I think that's the joy of it, the fun of it.”

More Division III honorees

Besides the four North Central players mentioned above, there were other locals named to the D3football.com preseason All-America team. That list includes Wheaton linebacker Peter Johanik (Wheaton Academy), Wisconsin-Whitewater wide receiver Tyler Vasey (Prairie Ridge), Wisconsin-LaCrosse running back Gabe Lynch (Carmel) and Aurora defensive end J.P. Chaney (Batavia).

Redbirds reach Top 5

Illinois State moved up to No. 4 in the FCS poll, its highest ranking since 2015. Last weekend the Redbirds rolled past Morehead State 41-13, which isn't especially impressive since that's a nonscholarship school. But maybe ISU got credit for the Week 1 loss to Oklahoma, since the Sooners looked good against Michigan.

QB Tommy Rittenhouse (St. Francis) did play against Morehead after leaving the Oklahoma game with a shoulder bruise. The Redbirds visit Eastern Illinois (1-1) on Saturday.