Scouting Naperville Central at Waubonsie Valley
Naperville Central at Waubonsie Valley
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
Last year: Naperville Central 25, Waubonsie Valley 17.
Outlook: Neither Naperville Central coach Mike Stine nor Waubonsie Valley counterpart Paul Murphy would like a replay of at least one facet of last year's game - 9 total turnovers, including touchdowns scored by both teams on interception returns. Naperville Central twice held inside its own 30-yard line in the final five minutes. Of course, both teams look much different this time around. Naperville Central graduated All-Area quarterback Nick Linne, but Stine believes his offense remains in good hands - all four of them. Six-foot-four, 190-pound University of Illinois-bound senior Hayden Daniels, one of the area's top receivers last season, shifts to his sophomore position behind center. The Redhawks still want to utilize Daniels' skills out wide, though, so junior Ian Lewandowski also will see time at quarterback. Another key to the offense is junior running back Matt Randolph. Combined, they'll present a more diverse Redhawks offense than last season. Defensively Naperville Central returns one of the DuPage Valley Conference's top players in 6-foot, 215-pound senior linebacker Will Sayer. After gaining 348 yards of offense in this game a year ago, most of Waubonsie Valley's offensive principals have since moved on, a notable exception being Northwestern-bound tight end Mark Szott, who caught 4 passes for 22 yards against the Redhawks. Instead of the graduated Kenny Clay throwing the ball it'll be Tommy Kolzow, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior who has earned Murphys praise for his throwing ability. Kolzow will target a receiver corps Murphy sees as a strength of this offense. An early window into Waubonsie's season will be gauging the effectiveness of running back-defensive end Devon Morgan, a bull at 6-3, 215. Waubonsie also will trust it has an answer for Naperville Central's with its experienced defensive secondary headed by Trey Waldman, Johnny Giba and Jakobi Johnson.
Next week: Naperville Central at Neuqua Valley; Waubonsie Valley at Oswego.