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Naperville North Huskies don't plan to miss playoffs again

In more ways than one, Naperville North hopes to look like its old self again.

With a return to the double-wing offense that epitomized the glory days of the football program, the Huskies also aim to return to the playoffs after missing out for the first time since 1996.

"It hasn't been easy," coach Sean Drendel said. "We had a bad year. When you have one of those you have to get back to what made you a great program."

It's a young group that'll try to get the Huskies back on track. While the run game will be prominent with returning back Mikey Caldarazzo, who rushed for 220 yards last year, he'll be running in front of a junior-heavy line.

Three junior running backs - Matt Montgomery, Cross Robinson and Eric Wright - also figure into the ground game. Vic Slopecki, Dylan Fadden and Luke Cegles are all in the mix at quarterback, which makes the passing game a little uncertain.

There's certainty on defense, at least on the line, where Tom Rizzi and Edi Dalazi return from a stellar junior year. Jack Hamman's back at linebacker, but that's the bulk of the experience for a team returning only five starters overall.

Junior talent is a big part of the Huskies' defensive plans as well with linebacker Derek Amend and the secondary tandem of Cam Hardy and Grant Ericksen.

Despite the abundance of juniors, Drendel isn't daunted by the young Huskies having to hit the ground running in the DuPage Valley Conference. He's banking on it.

"A lot of people get scared by youth, but these are good players," Drendel said. "This group gets it. They understand what's at stake and what's important. They know it's not going to be easy, but they're ready to go."

The breakdown

Coach: Sean Drendel (sixth year, 25-26).

2014 record: 2-7, 0-5, sixth in DuPage Valley Conference.

Top players: Tom Rizzi (DL, 6-4, 230, sr.); Edi Dalazi (DL, 6-0, 260, sr.); Mikey Caldarazzo (RB, 5-8, 170, sr.); Chris Hall (OL, 6-2, 235, sr.); Jack Hamman (LB, 6-0, 195, sr.); Dylan Fadden (QB, 5-9, 170, jr.); Luke Cegles (QB, 6-4, 187, jr.); Vic Slopecki (QB, 5-11, 155, sr.); Grant Ericksen (DB, 5-11, 165, jr.); E.J. Vaughn (WR, 6-4, 185, sr.); Mitch Lewis (WR, 6-5, 194, jr.); Derek Amend (LB, 6-3, 208, jr.); Cam Hardy (DB, 6-1, 178, jr.); Matt Mastri (RB, 5-10, 175, sr.).

- Kevin Schmit

Schedule

Naperville North

Fri, 8/28 Sandburg at Naperville North, 7:30 pm

Fri, 9/4 Naperville North at Metea Valley, 7:30 pm

Fri, 9/11 Wheaton North at Naperville North, 7:30 pm

Fri, 9/18 Lake Park at Naperville North, 7:30 pm

Fri, 9/25 Naperville North at Glenbard North, 7:30 pm

Fri, 10/2 Naperville North at Neuqua Valley, 7:30 pm

Fri, 10/9 Naperville North at Naperville Central, 7:30 pm

Fri, 10/16 Waubonsie Valley at Naperville North, 7:30 pm

Fri, 10/23 Naperville North at WW South, 7:30 pm

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