Expect Warren High to be in the running

Warren ran the table in the North Suburban Lake Division last fall.

This year, the Blue Devils are guaranteed to at least run.

Fast. And well.

An all-area running back as a sophomore before missing last season because of an off-the-field incident, senior Greg Kennedy returns for his senior year to dart through tackles and speed downfield.

"He looks good," coach Dave Mohapp said. "He looks a lot like when he finished up as a sophomore. He had a great year. He's a little bit of a stronger running back for us right now. The nice thing for us is that we have a feel for what he can do."

Kennedy, who rushed for 1,144 yards and scored 15 touchdowns in 2007, gives the defending NSC Lake champs two of the top running backs in the county.

Tom Lindal took the carries that Kennedy was supposed to get last season and made the most of them, emerging as a unexpected star in his sophomore year. Lindal rushed for 1,308 yards (8.5 average) and 18 TDs, earning all-conference and all-area honors and helping the Blue Devils go 9-2 (6-0 in the NSC Lake).

"We're working on trying to find ways to get them both the football," Mohapp said. "They're both going to get their touches in a game. They're a little bit different players in terms of how they play and what they do for your football team."

With two-year staring quarterback Zach Shaw having graduated, either senior Patrick Oliver or sophomore Patrick Kenney will start behind center. Mohapp considers Oliver the more mobile of the two, while Kenney is more of a drop-back passer.

"It's been, really, a great competition," Mohapp said. "As a coach, it's what you want to see in a competition, because those two guys working together have made themselves so much better."

While wide receiver Ryan Maguire (Elmhurst College) also graduated after catching 48 passes, including 10 TDs, the Blue Devils return three starting offensive linemen in Jason Freeck (5-10, 245), Jeff Cernucan (6-2 1/2, 260) and Jose Guevara (5-9, 235). Freeck, who will play guard in his third year as a starter, was all-conference last year.

Fellow all-NSC selection Mike Liao will not play this season after rushing for 618 yards and starting on defense, too, at safety. The senior underwent shoulder surgery two weeks ago.

"That's just a huge loss for us," Mohapp said. "He was a hitter."

Back on defense are outside linebacker Addison Clark (6-2, 190) and inside linebacker Jon Duncan (5-10, 190).

Senior free safety Taylor Stahl played for Warren as a sophomore but then moved away.

"He's a good football player," Mohapp said. "He's really had a nice off-season."

Another newcomer to watch is junior Zak Lowe (6-0, 250).

"I think he's really got some nice potential," Mohapp said. "I think he's going to be disruptive in our defense."

Another linebacker, junior Gary Eppinger, also has impresed Mohapp.

"Our defense, I like where we're at," the coach said last week. "Offensively, I think we're a little behind."

With Kennedy and Lindal, the Blue Devils' offense figures to catch up quickly.