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Hinsdale Central will need to come of age

Heading into this football season, just about everyone knows Hinsdale Central standouts Brian Allen and Ian Bunting.

The Red Devils’ success, however, depends on other players becoming household names with opponents.

Bunting, Allen and linebacker-fullback Jacob White are the lone returning starters for #147;We#146;ve got a lot of untested players, but I think we#146;ll be OK,#148; said Red Devils coach Rich Tarka. #147;We have a nucleus of a good senior class, and we#146;ve had some real good competition at a bunch of positions.#148;At least a few positions are not up for debate, starting with ">Hinsdale CentralAllen;http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/news/_/id/169957/brian-allen[URL] and Bunting. Allen, a two-way lineman, is committed to Michigan State, and [/URL]Bunting;http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Ian-Bunting-142176[URL], a receiver, is headed to Michigan.

While Allen was a rock in last year#146;s lineup, Bunting missed much of the season due to injury and finished with 16 catches for 412 yards and 4 touchdowns. White carried the ball only 7 times for 40 yards.

Newcomers fill the skill positions headed by quarterback Chase Hamilton, last season#146;s backup. Hamilton will be featured in the running game, complemented by several backs including White, Juwan Edmund, a state runner-up in wrestling, and Ben Stefani.

Three junior starters on the offensive line epitomize the youth of the unit.

#147;We have the potential to be more diverse on offense,#148; Tarka said. #147;It#146;s still the same offense, but we#146;ll look to run it a little more.#148;

White, second on last season#146;s team with 61 tackles, is the lone returning starter on defense although Allen will see time on the line. Fellow senior linebacker Trevor Paul stepped up late in the year, but juniors and sophomore Matt Bradley will play beside them.

Young as they may be, the [/URL]Red Devils;http://www.hcfootball.com/[URL] envision another playoff appearance.

#147;This is a good group,#148; Tarka said. #147;With the athletes we have out there, there#146;s huge upside.#148;

Follow Kevin on Twitter [/URL]@kevin_schmit;https://twitter.com/kevin_schmit[URL]

Schedule

Fri, 8/30 Bolingbrook at Hinsdale Central 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 9/6 Addison Trail at Hinsdale Central 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 9/13 Hinsdale Central at York 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 9/20 Proviso West at Hinsdale Central 7:30 p.m.

Sat, 9/28 Hinsdale Central at Glenbard West 1:30 p.m.

Sat, 10/5 Lyons Township at Hinsdale Central Noon

Fri, 10/11 Hinsdale Central at Hinsdale South 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 10/18 Hinsdale Central at Oak Park 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 10/25 Downers North at Hinsdale Central 7:30 p.m.

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North Stars struggle offensively in loss at Hinsdale C.

Glenbard West down, but not out

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