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Prairie Ridge has the weapons again

Since the Fox Valley Conference split into divisions in 2006, only Prairie Ridge has won multiple outright Fox Division titles (two).

The Wolves, under the direction of 14th-year coach Chris Schremp, would like to add to that total this season.

Prairie Ridge, which shared the title with Grayslake North in 2014, returns 11 potential starters on offense that saw significant action in the double-wing option offense in 2014. The Wolves averaged 32 points a game last year.

Sophomore Samson Evans (6-2, 185, QB-WR) and senior Luke Annen (6-1, 175, QB-WR) are competing for the starting quarterback spot. Four players return on the line and tight end Ryan Orr (6-1, 225) moves to guard. Sophomore Jeff Jenkins (6-3, 250) is drawing rave reviews at tackle. Tight end Austen Ferbet (6-3, 235) is new to the team after transferring from Missouri.

Senior fullback Nathan Griffin (5-8, 180) will be looked upon to carry the load in the backfield. "Nathan is an outstanding running back who can block, catch and run extremely hard," said Schremp, who is 5 wins shy of 100 for his career. "He should put up some outstanding numbers this season."

Five starters return on defense led by senior Jon Tieman (6-1, 185, safety). Sophomore middle linebacker Jacob Ommen (6-1, 190) started as a freshman. Matt Lorenz (6-0, 175, OLB, Sr.), Matt Henning (6-0, 180, OLB, Sr.) and Nick Greenberg (5-10, 160, Sr.) also are returning starters. Sophomore Joe Perhats (LB) and Nick Greenberg (secondary) also will help the Wolves' defense.

"We expect to be one of the top teams in the conference," said Schremp. "We believe we have a nice mix of experienced players and a lot of young talent. We should compete for the conference title and then make some noise in the playoffs if we stay healthy."

Prairie Ridge shared the title a year ago with Grayslake North. The Knights return offensive linemen Sean Pearce, Jack Rutkowski, Peyton Campbell and Bobby Thompson, along with wide receiver Matt Aiken. Quarterback Merrick Gentile is out for the season after sustaining an injury in the team's preseason scrimmage. Tenth-year coach Steve Wood declined to name his new quarterback.

Newcomers on offense for the Knights include Jared Sims (OL), JD Pelegrino (WR) and Joe Geary (WR) along with sophomore Elliot Hochstein (WR).

"We should be solid again on offense with a lot of experience returning," said Wood. "Finding a quarterback to run the offense in Merrick's absence is our top priority."

Bronson Watson (DL), Pearce (DL), Charlie Walker (LB), Stefan Davis (LB) and Dami Olenomoye (CB) return on defense. Newcomers on that side of the ball include Pete Stanfel (LB), Charlie Burr (LB), Sam Nayyer (DB), Blake Wilshire (CB), Devin Gains (CB), Jake Polina (DL) and Brandon Bock (DL).

"On defense we are faster than we have ever been," said Wood. "We have some great leaders on defense that will certainly make up for our lack of experience."

Grayslake North is looking for its third conference title in four years.

"But without an established quarterback the first few games are critical," said Wood. "We still have a lot of talent throughout this team and a fourth consecutive trip to the postseason is in the plans."

Wood named Crystal Lake Central (7-3, 4-2 a year ago) and Prairie Ridge as other top teams in the conference.

Woodstock North (4-5, 3-2 last year) has 3 starters back on offense and four on defense. Top returning players include Jake Schmitt (5-9, 170, RB-LB), Jake Varys (6-1, 285, OL-DL), Travis Busch (RB-DB) and Thery Sims (OL-DL).

Busch and Varys are returning all-conference performers with Busch running for 800 yards and 8 scores last year. Sims was the team's second-leading tackler a year ago. Colin Mergl (6-4, 180) is the quarterback.

North coach Jeff Schroeder likes his team's speed on offense and the physicality the defense shows.

"We feel we can be very competitive each week and hope to play to the best of our abilities," said Schroeder.

Woodstock, coming off a 1-8 season, is under the direction of new head coach Tommy Thompson, who coached in Mississippi the previous five years.

Senior quarterback Zach Cullum (6-3, 205) returns after throwing for 561 yards and 5 scores in part-time duty last year. Leading rushers Garrett Boyle (RB-safety, Sr.) and Jacob Sumner (RB-DB, Jr.) return. Sumner ran for 334 yards last year, while Boyle ran for 227. Senior Sam Wright (WR-FS) caught 11 balls for 122 yards in 2014.

Seniors Langdon Scott (6-3, 290), Devante Martyne (5-9, 270) and Jose Lopez (5-6, 205) and Jesus Hernandez (6-0, 295) anchor the offensive line. Scott, Martyne and Lopez will also play on the defensive line.

Seniors Nick Sunburg (6-0, 185, MLB), Garrett Boyle (5-10, 165) and Martin Halilaj (6-0, 195, ILB) return. Sunburg had 74 tackles last year, while Boyle had 66.

Thompson's son, Nick Thompson (6-0, 172) will play strong safety and halfback. He made 104 tackles and had 320 receiving yards en route to being named to the Biloxi Sun Herald All-South Mississippi state team.

Juniors Ryan Jendernoa (6-0, 170, CB-WR) and Nathan Hogue (5-10, 150, CB-QB) will help on defense.

"Our strength on offense is that we will be well-balanced and versatile," said Thompson. "On defense we will be a lot faster, extremely aggressive and eager to make stops. The overall feeling with our players is the overwhelming enthusiasm they have to win, which also is felt at our lower levels."

Thompson's coaching staff includes former Woodstock and Marian Central head coach Ed Brucker.

Grayslake Central went 0-9 last year, but returns the likes of Luke Shepherd (QB), Richard Novrouzov (LB), Zach Cashmore (OL), Noah Comerford (WR) and Mikey Andrews (RB). Top newcomers include defensive backs Sam Nozicka and John Corridon.

"We are looking to improve on last year's season," said Central coach Jason Schaal. "We return our starting quarterback, running back, wide receiver and a few offensive linemen. Our schedule is challenging and our conference is solid."

Last year the Fox Division produced three Class 6A playoff qualifiers in Grayslake North, Prairie Ridge and Crystal Lake Central. None of the three advanced past the first round.

Valley Division: McHenry looks to improve on last year's 3-6 mark. The Warriors have 5 starters back on each side of the ball.

Senior Corey Lersch (6-4, 215, TE-LB) is a Northern Illinois University commit who caught 16 balls for 385 yards and 2 scores last year. Senior Graham Waddington (6-5, 265) is back on both sides of the line (DT-OT). Junior Giovanni Purpura (6-1, 170, CB-RB) ran the ball 82 times for 540 yards and 4 TD as a sophomore. Seniors Danny Delgadillo (6-1, 205, FB-S, 45 tackles) and Sam Pautz (6-0, FB-DT) also return.

Newcomers for the Warriors include seniors Kevin Szamlewski (5-8, 150, wingback), DeShawn Wilson (6-2, 170, WR) and Ray Balog (6-2, 210, DE-WR), along with juniors Ray Vohasek (6-3, 254, DT-G) and Kyle Lim (6-0, 215, LB-FB), as well as Tyler Clendening (5-11, 210, DE-G) and Colton Folliard (6-1, 215, LB-TE).

"We have the biggest offensive line in quite some time (6-2, 230 average)," noted McHenry coach Dave D'Angelo. "We will have a balanced attack with the ability to run and pass. Putting the ball in the hands of Giovanni, Corey and Sam will be the main objective."

D'Angelo also has high hopes for his defense. "Defense has been our point of emphasis," he said. "So much so that I have given up the offense to my assistant and I will be calling the defense. This is the most talented defense we have had across the board."

D'Angelo said the Valley Division once again will be as competitive as ever. "The Valley is stacked," he said. "Anybody can win it. The front-runner always has to be Cary-Grove. Everything points to Huntley and Jacobs, too. Our seniors and juniors have had a lot of success at the under levels. If we stay healthy, we will be as good as any of the teams on our schedule. Last year we averaged 33 points a game and 390 yards a game. If we do that again and our defense can hold teams to 14 points or under we will have a lot of success."

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