Each of the teams will feature a new starting quarterback, although not all of them lack varsity experience.
BENET
The Redwings (7-4) look to keep the momentum going after reaching the second round of the Class 5A playoffs last year. Senior Ben Clevenger is the new quarterback and has a talented receiving corps, led by senior Luke Doyle, an all-conference pick. Senior Ben Albert, junior John Ericson and sophomores Giovanni Sanderlin and Luke Crowder will also be targeted. Offensive tackles Alex MacDiarmid and John Sciortino, both seniors, are back.
On defense, senior Jack Clevenger and junior Dean Meah are moving from linebacker to the line, while senior Dominik Tomala returns at cornerback.
NAPERVILLE CENTRAL
The Redhawks (11-2), who lost to York in the Class 8A state semifinals last year, are replacing one of the most experienced teams in program history with one of the youngest. But they also have their largest roster in a decade, and the defense figures to be their calling card again. That unit will be led by four returning starters: seniors Paul Peradotti, Matt Guerin and Gavin Ellison and junior Jaxon Pytlak.
On offense, senior receivers Vincent Bern and Dylan Martin are back, as are senior linemen Teddy Vilim and Jameson Rosenfeld. Senior left tackle Gage Mills, a transfer from Texas, is tasked with protecting the blind side of quarterback Jackson Loth, the first junior starter at the position in five seasons.
NAPERVILLE NORTH
The Huskies (7-3) will take a much different approach after qualifying for the Class 8A playoffs last season. The high-flying passing offense will be replaced by a stout ground game. With senior Josiah Nothacker as the new starting quarterback, senior William Eloe leads a talented group of running backs that should find room behind the blocking of returning senior linemen Will Harvey and Connor Schultze and senior tight end Finn Bretag (Illinois State).
The defense could be much stouter. Senior linemen Gabriel Hill (Indiana), Jovani Dones and Will Wagner lead the way along with senior defensive backs Quincy Blaise (Illinois State) and Griffin Jurjovec and senior linebacker Drew Murphy.
NEUQUA VALLEY
The Wildcats (2-7) are looking to bounce back from their first losing season since 2009, and coach Bill Ellinghaus said effort and attitude remain outstanding. The defense should be a strength. It has four returning starters: senior safeties Andrew Hoffmann and Tommy Westrom, junior linebacker Pierce Stevens and senior defensive end Luke Hammond.
Junior quarterback Drake Mennecke takes the reins of the offense that returns junior lineman Max Schueneman, senior lineman Isaac Brown, senior running back Andrew Barkley and senior receiver Danny Robinson.
WAUBONSIE VALLEY
The Warriors (5-5) lost a large senior class that earned their first playoff berth in six years, but coach Adam Pucylowski enters his second season pleased with his team’s work ethic and chemistry. Senior Colin Ford will play quarterback full time and has some experienced teammates with senior linemen Stilian Pavlov and Trey Fregia, senior receivers Gavin Ali-Hanlon and Chase Kolodziej, senior running back Ishmaiah Elliott and senior H-back James Stancel Jr.
Senior linebacker William Tracy, senior defensive back Nate Cerilli and senior lineman Leo Hobson are back to lead the defense.
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.