Talking with ‘Edgy’: Unbeaten and winless surprises, great DuKane openers, please explain the NSC

Welcome to the second week of our latest prep football offering, Talking with “Edgy” Tim O’Halloran.

Last week’s debut was a smashing success, if for no other reason than we had a blast discussing the latest gridiron news surrounding our local teams.

This week we talk to the Rivals prep football expert about the undefeated and winless, anxiously awaited conference openers and the expanded playoffs.

Kevin Schmit: Which 2-0 teams from the area surprise you?

“Edgy” Tim: St. Charles East, just because they haven’t had a lot of success the last handful of years. I know their numbers have been up and down, but it’s just good to see. I talk to (junior lineman) Liam Barrett quite a bit, and he kind of told me he likes this team and he thinks they’ll be good. It’s kind of a nice story because no one really saw this coming except for them.

I’ll throw Wheaton North in there as well. I saw them in the summer a little bit. And it’s summer, so sometimes it’s hard to get an idea, especially up front. (Head coach Joe Wardynski) does a great job and I think he’s done a lot over the years with maybe not fantastic talent. I didn’t see a quick start from them but they find a way to get it done.

Buffalo Grove and Conant, probably more Conant. They just haven’t had a lot of success recently. Just kind of nice seeing them back and winning games.

And if anyone can explain the North Suburban Conference to me, please call me because I can’t figure it out. I couldn’t be happier for Mundelein and Zion-Benton. But if you would have told me at the beginning of the season that they’d both be 2-0 and the rest of the conference would be 0-2, it’s kind of nutty.

Round Lake, again, just generally didn’t expect to see them 2-0.

KS: Which 0-2 teams from the area surprise you?

ET: Glenbard East and West Aurora but, to be fair, they’ve lost to pretty good opponents. Two solid programs. I think when it’s all said and done, those teams could end up winning the (Upstate Eight Conference).

Maine West, I see them every summer at 7-on-7. I just didn’t see them coming out this slow, but they could still win the (Central Suburban League North Division).

St. Viator, 0-2 and giving up that many points. I’m not sure what’s going on, but hopefully they can turn it around. That’s pretty high up there in terms of surprises. I saw them in the spring at one of the combines and they looked pretty good.

It’s really hard to reload, especially at a public school. But you’d be hard-pressed to find a coach who’s reloaded better than Joe Sanchez at Barrington. They’ve been a model of consistency, and 0-2 is just not in their DNA in my opinion. But I think those guys will figure it out.

KS: Which conference openers are you looking forward to this weekend?

ET: The DuKane Conference, and you can flip a coin for which one.

Batavia and Glenbard North. First of all, Glenbard North blowing out Benet was surprising. And Batavia losing the way it did to Rochester, I don’t think anyone saw that coming. It’s a good measuring stick game for sure.

The other one is St. Charles North and Geneva. Geneva lost to a very good Oswego team. St. Charles North is 2-0 and they’re always in the hunt.

In the Fox Valley, Burlington Central and Cary-Grove, even though it’s not a conference opener. Burlington actually beat them last year, and I don’t think that sat very well with the Cary folks. It’s a program on the rise for sure.

North Suburban, Zion at 2-0 hosting Lake Forest. It’s definitely an eye-opener for Lake Forest. It’s a big game for Zion, too. It’s the first of several big tests for them. And then the two 0-2s with Warren and Libertyville. Someone’s going to be 0-3, and that’s never good.

Grant and Antioch in the Northern Lake, generally two of the better teams up there.

And then Downers Grove North and Hinsdale Central in the West Suburban Silver, both 2-0. It’s a big test for both of them.

KS: With the expanded playoffs, do you think some 2-0 teams have already qualified for the playoffs?

ET: No, no, no (laughing). I don’t know if I feel safe with seven wins, but that’s just my philosophy.

I think it’s been refreshing. A lot of coaches were hesitant about the expanded playoffs, but now they’re taking more of a wait-and-see attitude. But I don’t think anyone’s printing playoff T-shirts yet, if that’s what you’re asking.

If you’re 2-0 and it hasn’t happened in a while, celebrate it. There’s nothing wrong with that. But I think it’s too early to say if two-win teams will make the playoffs. I think we’ll know better in the next few weeks.

KS: Where are you going this weekend?

ET: Right now I’m debating between Downers North and Hinsdale Central or Joliet Catholic and Providence on Friday. That’s just a huge rivalry. Always well-played, always physical, always intense. It’s a big deal. But I’ve got to figure it out.

And then Saturday is a mystery. There’s not a whole lot out there Saturday. I might end up in the (Chicago) Public League to see Lane vs. King at Stagg Stadium.