With the 2008 regular season about to end, what better time to take a look ahead to what we might expect in 2009.
Although a number of area teams are dominated by talented seniors this year, there are a plenty of underclassmen making a big impact.
Look no further than Bartlett and Huntley, the two unbeaten teams in the area, to find some of the best young talent around.
The Red Raiders will undoubtedly have a tough time replacing three-year varsity star Jordan Neukirch, but a trio of juniors are contributing on offense and should be ready to shoulder the heaviest load next year.
Junior quarterback Brandon Luczak continues to make strides under center. Meanwhile, junior running backs Tanner Stearns and Brett Kleckner have enjoyed big games this season. Kleckner, who led Huntley with 101 rushing yards and three touchdowns in last week's thrilling win against Prairie Ridge, also contributes at linebacker.
Meanwhile, most of the skill position players will be gone next season from this year's Bartlett team, and that will be a major loss. But the Hawks do have talented junior tight end Greg Partyka coming back, as well as junior defensive back Mike Banks and junior linebacker Grant Becker.
Other playoff-bound teams with notable talent returning are Hampshire and St. Charles North. The Whip-Purs lose a hard-working senior class, but juniors Ryan Burke and Caleb Kendricks should be ready to step in as leaders next fall. Meanwhile, junior tailback Jordan Huxtable has made an impression for the North Stars this year, as has junior defensive back Conner Mohs.
Two teams not headed to the playoffs but loaded with young talent are Burlington Central and St. Edward.
Juniors Tim Botsford and Kevin Kellish and sophomores Tim Maroder and Brandon Westergaard headline a group of underclassmen who have seen major playing time this year for the Rockets.
The Green Wave will welcome back a host of players up front, including juniors Shane Finnane, Rich Budish and Daniel Duffy. Zack Von Ahnen, David Hoebbel, Jon Godfrey, Jordan Torres and Nathan Gaige will also return to a group that could help St. Edward get over the hump and reach the postseason in 2009.
Among the other top returnees in the area are Genoa-Kingston sophomore running back Robby Thurlby, Elgin receiver Tim Newcombe, Larkin running back Jalen Williams, St. Charles East receiver Tyler Nutting, St. Charles North receiver Jeff Stolzenburg, Jacobs quarterback Alec Starr and South Elgin receiver Jake Kumerow. Streamwood junior running back Derrick King and junior receiver Joey Hanover will be two other players to watch next fall.
It was brought to my attention that I overlooked a pair of players returning for Hampshire next season.
Juniors Cooper Smith and Ron Laramie, who started as sophmores on Hampshire's varsity team last year, will also be returning. Laramie has 121 rushing yards as well as 16 unassisted tackles this year while Smith is a key up front for the Whip-Purs.