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Still looking for a dominant team

It's among the oldest clichés in the playbook, but is it true?

Do prep football teams truly make their biggest improvements between Week 1 and Week 2? This week's Eyes on Five tries to answer that question and more as we ramble toward another week of trying to get better!

Sorry ... had to throw another cliché in there.

1. You better, you bet:

Of course teams got better last week. Few, however, made the epic leap from the opener.

Some games stand out, like Waubonsie Valley's 27-20 win over Oswego, Montini's 46-32 marathon over East St. Louis and Naperville Central's 19-0 shutout of Neuqua Valley. Against quality competition each victor showed noticeable improvement from the week before, especially with Montini and the Redhawks bouncing back from Week 1 losses.

Beyond that you saw a general mix of solid performances and disappointments. The latter isn't tough to find: seven DuPage County teams sitting at 0-2, including half the DuPage Valley Conference.

Improvements didn't produce results.

"We took a step," said Willowbrook coach Nick Hildreth, "but not a big enough step."

The first two weeks won't define the season, which is probably a good thing. It simply hasn't been a memorable start for most teams.

The SuperTeam - here at home and throughout the state - has yet to reveal itself, and may not exist among the many title contenders. That means revolving rankings and multiple-loss state champions may rule the day by late November.

Let the parity party begin...

2. Pieces in the Valley:

As mentioned above, half the DVC remains winless and needs to get healthy in a hurry before they cannibalize each other during conference play.

Saturday's crossover with six teams from the Chicago Public League is that chance to get healthy, but don't count on it being easy for the DVC. Between the three games at Lane Tech and the three at Gately Stadium, there's bound to be some surprises.

Simeon, which plays Wheaton North, nearly topped St. Rita in Week 1. Phillips, Naperville North's opponent, hammered defending Class 3A champion Stillman Valley 51-0 in its opener.

Lake Park's opponent, Raby, features a pair of FBS-caliber defensive linemen in Jamal Milan and Malik Haynes.

That's not to say the DVC isn't heavily favored on Saturday - it is. But the sense of urgency needs to kick in.

The league went 5-7 in the first two weeks, meaning limited playoff points for everyone. The chance to double the number of conference wins in one day can't be passed up.

3. Ram tougher:

In 1999 Glenbard East made an exhilarating run to the Class 6A semifinals after squeaking into the playoffs. The only thing that stood in the way of a trip to the title game was a juggernaut Naperville Central team that went 14-0 with little challenge.

It was a brilliant season no one saw coming. And it was 15 years ago.

The Rams haven't won more than four games in a season since, and 1999 remains the program's lone playoff appearance. That could change this year.

In its first season removed from the DVC, Glenbard East is 2-0 heading into its Upstate Eight Conference debut this weekend. Now comes the reason why the Rams left the DVC for the UEC.

It's time to develop into a consistent playoff qualifier.

The quest continues in a big way with Friday's home game against Neuqua Valley. Yeah, the Wildcats are 0-2, but make no mistake. A Rams victory would be a major statement.

With the Rams' remaining seven opponents holding a combined 5-9 record, now's the time to break that streak.

4. Strike three?:

For months the Hinsdale Township High School District 86 Board of Education and its teachers have been negotiating terms for a new contract. The previous contract with teachers expired on June 30.

On its website the Hinsdale High School Teachers Association on Monday released its latest contract proposal. It's presented to the school board in what it terms the initiation of the "public posting process."

A quote from the teachers' lead negotiator, Jeff Waterman, notes this is "one of several processes that" gulp... "precede a lawful strike."

Football, meanwhile, goes on with blinders to the situation.

Hinsdale Central took a step back with last week's loss to Addison Trail, but momentum remains from its season-opening win over Bolingbrook. Hinsdale South - after starting last season 0-3 - is vying for a 3-0 record this weekend against Willowbrook.

As the school board chews on the latest proposal, strike talk lingers.

"We're just hoping for the best and going about things business as usual," said Hinsdale South coach Mike Barry.

For the teams' sake, let's all hope for the best.

5. Stat time:

With Tuesday's announced agreement with the IHSA, Comcast SportsNet Chicago will broadcast 12 live playoff football games this season including the eight state title games and four games in the weeks leading up to championship weekend. CSN Chicago again will broadcast a playoff pairings show the night of Oct. 25.

CSN Chicago extends its broadcasting of IHSA events with live coverage of the four boys and girls state basketball tournament weekends in addition to tape delay broadcasts of state finals in boys and girls soccer, girls volleyball, individual wrestling, and competitive dance and cheerleading.

That's 59 total IHSA state final events on one channel.

In other words, finding your favorite prep sports on television just became a whole lot easier.

Follow Kevin on Twitter @kevin_schmit

  Addison Trail's Jaavion Bradley, left, and Anthony Metallo, right, strip the ball from Hinsdale Central's Ryan Doney. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
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