Augustana (7-3, 4-3 CCIW in 2000)
Head Coach Jim Barnes will welcome a total of 46 letterwinners and 15 starters (seven on offense and eight on defense) back for the 2001 season. Offensively, a pair of NCAA Division III All-Americans need to be replaced with the graduation of tight end Chris Sally and guard Mackenzie Hay. The Vikings averaged 310.6 yards per game rushing which was the third best in the nation in 2000.

While Hay and Sally had a big part in that figure, several key performers do return to spearhead the vaunted Augustana rushing attack. Four starters on the offensive line: tackles J.D. Sheldon (Marian Central HS, Harvard, Ill.) and Mike Mueller (Thornwood HS, Calumet City, Ill.), guard Matt Kelly (Prophetstown HS, Tampico, Ill.) and center Bob Paulin (Naperville Central HS, Naperville, Ill.) have worked together as a unit for the past two years. Another plus is the return of the other tight end — Jim Triveri (St. Laurence HS, Burbank, Ill.). Sheldon earned first team all-conference and honorable mention NCAA Division III All-American honors last year and Triveri was a second team all-conference honoree.

While the line appears to be stable, the backfield also has a solid building block in the person of senior runningback David Chorney (Westmont HS, Westmont, Ill.). Chorney was a 1000-yard rusher as a junior in 2000 with 1,013 yards on 170 attempts for an average of 6.0 per attempt. He also scored nine touchdowns and he is currently in ninth place on the school's all-time rushing list with 2,081 yards. Last year Brad Wendell (Buffalo Grove HS, Buffalo Grove, Ill.) and Ben Kleinhans (Waubonsie Valley HS, Naperville, Ill.) split time at quarterback and between the two they completed 43 of 97 passes for 686 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 360 yards on 100 attempts with four touchdowns. At fullback senior Brad Carlock (Kewanee Wethersfield HS, Kewanee, Ill.) was a part-time starter a year ago and he gained 202 yards on 56 attempts with three touchdowns.

Besides placing third in NCAA Division III in rushing, Augustana was 47th in total offense with an average of 380.3 yards per game and 19th in scoring offense at 34.2 points per game.

Defensively the Vikings were young a year ago and Barnes figures that a year's worth of experience will make them that much better. Augustana allowed 273.2 yards of total offense in 2000, ranking 50th in NCAA Division III in that category and was 36th in pass efficiency defense with a figure of 88.9. The Vikings were 25th in turnover margin with a plus-1.20 per game average.

One of the keys this fall will be the play of the interior line where tackles Mike Brasile (Woodstock HS, Woodstock, Ill.) and Justin Georgacakis (Glenbrook North HS, Glenbrook, Ill.) anchor things. Georgacakis had 12 tackles for loss and Brasile seven in their first seasons in Augustana uniforms. Mike Hansen (Downers Grove South HS, Downers Grove, Ill.) and David Gonzalez (Maine West HS, Des Plaines, Ill.) will handle the defensive end positions once again. Junior Tim Williams (Rich South HS, Richton Park, Ill.) was a starter as a freshman and through four games last year before an illness ended his season. His return will be welcome.

There will be a search for help at linebacker where senior Roy Fritz (Woodstock HS, Woodstock, Ill.) is the lone returner. He led the team in tackles in 2000 with 60.

The secondary has a pair of seniors in the cornerback positions to anchor things. Todd Baldwin (Aledo HS, Aledo, Ill.) led the team in interceptions with five and Brad Haverback (Cambridge HS, Cambridge, Ill.) was fourth on the team in tackles with 50 while adding four interceptions. Chris Beard (Moline HS, Moline, Ill.) was the starter at free safety last year but he may be switched to the offensive backfield.

The special teams are in good shape as J.J. Hazelett (J.D. Darnall HS, Geneseo, Ill.) led the team in scoring with 58 points and Josh Jackson (Rockridge HS, Reynolds, Ill.) averaged 35.0 yards per punt.

Carthage (4-6, 1-6 CCIW in 2000)
One step forward. One step back. Bringing a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin football program back to the top is a tough assignment. After three consecutive years with 5-4 records and a feeling that the team was close to getting over the hump, the 2000 team took a step the wrong way. After winning its first three non-conference games over Lakeland (34-15 on September 9), Martin Luther (34-14 on September 16) and Adrian (21-3 on September 23), coach Tim Rucks' Redmen (Rucks' overall record 34-62-4, 11 years/25-29-1, 6 years at Carthage) dropped six conference games before rallying to a 56-52 win over North Park University in the season finale.

Four Carthage players were named to the 2000 All-CCIW football team. Wide receiver Rob Garnes (Jr., Rolling Meadows, Ill.) was named first team. Quarterback Patrick Brown (Jr., Rolling Meadows, Ill./Palatine William Fremd) was named second team, along with offensive lineman Rafael Lozano (graduated-senior, North Chicago, Ill./Mundelein Carmel) and defensive back Cameron Ridley (graduated-senior, Lansing, Mich./Sexton). Garnes and Ridley are repeat members. Garnes was named second-team all-conference in 1999 and Ridley in 1996.

Brown finished the season as the CCIW leader in both total offense (1,604 yards in conference play) and passing yards (1,320). Wide receiver Rob Garnes led the league in receiving yardage (672) and was ranked fourth in scoring (50 points). Place kicker Jeff Grybash (Sr., Palatine, Ill./William Fremd) was sixth in kick scoring (25 points). Tailback Randal Baker (Jr., Evansville, Ill./Memorial) was eighth in rushing (373 yards). Punter Adam Woodworth (So., Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon) was second in the league with a 37.3 average. Cornerback Conor Glascott (Sr., Chicago, Ill./Oak Park Fenwick) was sixth in punt returns (7.2 yards per return), and Dan Fontechia (graduated-senior, Mt. Prospect, Ill./Arlington Heights St. Viator) was sixth in kick returns (18.0). As a team, the Redmen were ranked fifth in offense (314.9 yards per game), eighth in defense (414.3), sixth in scoring offense (23.0 points per game) and seventh in scoring defense (34.6). Brown set six Carthage season records this year, including passing attempts (263), passing completions (139), touchdown passes (20), interceptions (14), passing yardage (1,696) and total yardage (1,970). Garnes set two season records with 64 receptions for 894 yards. Carthage returns 41-of-58 letterwinners and eight-of-11 starters on both offense and defense.

"If I didn't think we deserved to go out a winner, I'd so say," declared Rucks at the end of the season. "This team never quit, and they hung in to the end. A lot of teams would have folded up the tents in October or November, but this team went out fighting. Our biggest problem over the last two months of the season was not lack of talent but a lack of confidence. The only way to get that confidence is to win. We were in a position to do that three or four times in October and November and didn't get it done. The bulk of this team returns next year, and I know that North Park win will help us down that road. We have a lot of work to do in the off-season to get things fixed, but we're going into that process on a good note. We have a couple of leaks to fix. We'll plug those, and this won't happen again."

Elmhurst (2-8, 1-6 CCIW in 2000)
Heading into the 2001 season, Elmhurst has high hopes. The offense is loaded with veterans. The defense is speedy. And the team forges ahead with the goal of moving into the top half of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), a league that had four teams ranked in the Top 25 last season.

"The CCIW will again be a very strong, competitive and balanced football league this year," nine-year veteran head coach Paul Krohn said. "Our goal is to break into the upper division. That in itself is a very lofty goal, considering that for the past 10 years, the top four teams in the conference (Augustana, Illinois Wesleyan, Millikin and Wheaton) have remained the same all but twice."

The 2001 Bluejays will again be an option football team. "To diversify our attack, we will augment our running game with a three tier passing game — play-action, rollout and drop-back schemes," Krohn said.

At quarterback, sophomore Juan Quesada (Miami, Fla./Palmetto) returns after a brilliant freshman season during which he was 85-for-155 passing with only six interceptions en route to being named the Bluejays' Top Offensive Newcomer.

Battling Quesada for the starting spot will be senior Karl Smith (Loxahatchee, Fla./Wellington), who sat out last season with a knee injury. "Juan and Karl provide a wealth of game experience at the quarterback spot," Krohn said.

The bulk of the running game will be split between a host of veteran backs — as many as seven — and will be led by senior Chris Welter (Boynton Beach, Fla.), the 2000 team leader in rushing yards (765).

In addition, Elmhurst's offensive line returns starters at four of the five spots, and will be anchored by senior tackle Tony Burke, a three-year starter.

The Bluejay defensive scheme consists of a 46 defense that was implemented midway through the 2000 season. "We feel we are best equipped to compete with this defensive structure," Krohn said.

Crucial to the success of the defense is senior safety Adam Less (Davenport, Iowa/Davenport North), who suffered a knee injury last year and was sorely missed. "The return of a healthy Adam Less to his safety position will solidify that area of the field," Krohn said.

Also key are Florida's Faron Ryan (Miami, Fla./Miami South), an all-conference honoree last season, and John McMillian (Miami, Fla./Miami South), the CCIW champion in both the 100- and 200-meters last year as a freshman on the Bluejay track team.

"The speed of Faron and John has been proven on the track," Krohn said of his two defensive backs. "They will run with any of the fastest receivers in the league."

At linebacker, Krohn will have to fill the colossal loss of all-CCIW honoree Dallas Till (Grand Junction, Mich./South Haven), who led the Bluejays in tackles during each of his four seasons (77, 90, 106 and 120), making him second on Elmhurst's all-time list in total tackles.

Krohn expects three freshmen — Brian Parker (Cooper City, Fla.), Marshall Parks (Eastbay, Fla.) and Mitch Keyes — to "immediately show their presence at the linebacker spots."

In addition, the Bluejays have hired Mark Kryzkowski, a former standout at Carroll College, as defensive line coach. Kryzkowski comes to Elmhurst from Mount Horeb (Wis.) High School, where he served as the head football coach. Prior to his arrival, the Mount Horeb team had not had a winning season in more than 10 years; Kryzkowski's teams had winning records in each of his three years there.

Despite the 10-year dominance of the CCIW by the same four teams, Krohn and the rest of the Bluejay coaching staff are optimistic about their chances of attaining their goals. "I believe that the traditionally strong teams will remain strong, but the aspiring teams, like ourselves, will make advances in the league standings," Krohn said. "With a solid group of game-tested players with ability, the challenge is in the players' hands to perform consistently."

Illinois Wesleyan (9-1, 6-1 CCIW in 2000)
IWU finished 9-1 and was co-champion of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, led primarily by the Titans' strong defense (9th in Division III in scoring defense, 18th in pass efficiency defense, and 13th in turnover margin). With a host of returners on defense — including the entire secondary — and an infusion of personnel in an innovative, explosive offense, the Titans expect to be strong contenders in the national picture again.

Senior running back Aaron Telford and junior fullback Pat Spangler will line up with good speed and size behind senior quarterback Kyle Eash, a passing and running threat. The entire offensive line also returns, including second team all-league selection Adam Miller.

Two senior tight ends return to help solidify the offense in Jacob Quinton and Shaun Frizielle, both of whom are talented blockers and receivers.

The defensive backfield features All-American candidates Brad Andrekus and Kevin Kaplan along with seniors Craig Kastning and Creighton Drescher, both starters last year.

The linebacking corps is also a source of strength behind second team all-CCIW player Joel Dodson and seniors Andy Rader and Mike Clark, both of whom are returning from leg injuries last season.

Head coach Norm Eash has a chance to get his 100th coaching victory this season. His 14-year record is 92-38-1.

Millikin (9-2, 6-1 CCIW in 2000)
On the heels of a 9-2 season and a second CCIW Championship and NCAA playoff berth in three seasons, the Millikin football focus will be simple for 2001 — improve on both sides of the ball.

That may not be easy to do. The Big Blue set a handful of school records in the always tough College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, leading the conference in scoring and total offense and scoring and total defense. Millikin sports a 24-4 regular season record the past three seasons under coach Doug Neibuhr, a record that is the best among colleges and universities in Illinois. That includes three consecutive wins against rival Augustana.

The Big Blue lost record setting quarterback Tim Brylka and perennial all-Conference selections Jerome Jackson and Bob Meyer to graduation, but return surprising depth on both sides of the ball.

Offensively, Millikin returns eight of the 10 linemen in its final two-deep from 2000. Those returnees will clear a path for all-conference running back Deon Packer, who set new school and conference rushing records as a junior. Packer rushed for 1,124 yards and 19 touchdowns in 10 games. Ryan Corley (33 rushes, 182 yards), a bruising fullback is back, as is Packer's backup for much of the 2000 season, John Bell (61-314).

The line will be anchored by Erick Olson, a 6-0, 265-pound senior guard. He will be joined by Matt Hecht (6-3, 290, Jr.) and Charles Walls (6-0, 265, Jr.), who split time at center; Patrick Jacobs (6-2, 290, Sr.) at guard and Lee Mateer (6-4, 285, Jr.), Francis Schumacher (6-1, 270, Jr.) and Ryan Wamser (6-7, 290, Jr.) at tackle. Brandon Witte (6-4, 225, Jr.) played plenty as a back-up tight end and he will team with Beau Albert (6-3, 250, Sr.) to provide quality depth there.

Brylka and his career records for completions, touchdown passes, total offense and yardage have departed and that will signal a significant shift offensively for the Big Blue. His replacement, Donnell Brown (6-2, 170, So.) or Jake Fry (5-11, 180, Fr.), will likely set up from the pocket rather than rolling out as the shorter Brylka did. Neibuhr said the starter will be decided in fall camp.

The athletic Brown appeared in eight games as Brylka's backup, hitting 10 of 19 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 90 yards on 16 attempts. Fry took snaps in several games, but had no passing or rushing attempts.

Jackson was a record-setting three-year starter at receiver. His loss will be mitigated by returnees Ryan Miller (6-1, 185, Jr.) who had 24 catches for 471 yards and five touchdowns and Mike Gardiner (6-2, 205, Jr.) played in eight games and had six catches for 38 yards. Miller also shows promise as a return man.

Darrell Scruggs, who received a medical redshirt after injuring a knee in the second game of the 2000 campaign, will move from running back to receiver. Scruggs had TD catches of 71 and 53 yards before being hurt in the second game of the season.

Defensively, Millikin returns all conference linebacker Dan Potempa (6-0, 225) and defensive lineman Mike Lindsay (6-1, 230).

Seven of eight players in the D-line two-deep return. Joining Lindsay are Jason Halm (6-4, 240, Sr.), Nate Carden (6-3, 230, Jr.), Clint Wolfe (6-4, 240, So.), Tim Blankenship (6-1, 245, Jr.), Jeff Beck (6-0, 245, So.) and Nick Shaub (6-0, 250, Jr.).

Joining Potempa in the linebacking corps are Zach Harris (6-0, 200, Sr.), Eric Nepute (5-10, 225, Jr.) and Jamie Luzinski (5-11, 210, Sr.).

Young faces will populate the defensive backfield. Semaj Allen (5-7, 165, Sr.) started at one cornerback slot last year, while Richard Carter (5-10, 160), Lee Clayton (5-10, 190, So.) and Adrian Koehler (5-11, 175, Jr.) all saw time as backups.

The kicking game is solid as Mat Jensson returns for his fourth year as a punter while sophomore Andy Beals, who won the job early in the season, returns as placekicker.

North Park (3-7, 1-6 CCIW in 2000)
Robin Cooper takes over the helm for the North Park Vikings in the 2001 campaign. Cooper served as the head football coach for the past two seasons at College of DuPage. Cooper restarted the football program at DuPage, and he posted a record of 13-8 in his two seasons.

Prior to coaching at DuPage, Cooper served as the head coach at the Evansville from 1991 to 1998, leading the Aces to a record of 36-33. Before that, Cooper was an assistant coach at Western Illinois from 1987 to 1991. While Cooper was an assistant at WIU, the Leathernecks won the Gateway Conference and earned a berth in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs in 1988. Cooper's first college head coaching job was starting the program at MacMurray in 1984. Cooper led the Highlanders to a 20-8 mark in his three seasons.

The Viking offense has the most question marks going into the 2001 season. Gone are tailback, Darnell Rios (1,223 yards rushing 15 TD), quarterback, Dana Anderson (1657 passing yards, 10 TD passes) and fullback, Mike Lundberg (31 receptions, 319 yards 3 TD). Despite these key losses, the offense returns five starters, lead by three-year letterwinner, Mike Rice (Chicago, Ill./Mather), who will shoulder the load at tailback. Rice rushed for 575 yards on 117 carries and caught eight passes for 53 yards as a junior. On the offensive line, the Vikings return Ryan Greenan (Chicago, Ill./DeLaSalle), Alfredo Calderon (Chicago, Ill./Prosser) and tight end, Kurt Rowells (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates), who also handled the punting duties as a freshman. Steve Eifrid (Chicago, Ill./St. Patrick) (21 catches, 209 yards, TD) and Dominic Senese (Downers Grove, Ill./Nazareth Academy) (15 catches, 164 yards) return at wide receiver.

The North Park defense returns 13 letterwinners, including 7 starters. On the defensive line, the Vikings return All-CCIW defensive end, Pat Ryan (Chicago, Ill./Notre Dame). Ryan has displayed a knack for making big plays, making 23 tackles, racking up four sacks, recovering three fumbles, breaking up two passes, intercepting a pass and returning a fumble for a touchdown as a freshman. In his sophomore season, Ryan was nearly unstoppable, tallying 12½ sacks, 64 tackles and 25 tackles for loss. Ryan also recorded a team-high 14 quarterback hurries. The linebacking corps is the Vikings' most experienced group of returnees. John Zinchuk (Chicago, Ill./Notre Dame) recorded 39 tackles, one sack and an interception as a sophomore. Tim Wisnar (Morton Grove, Ill./Niles West) piled up 56 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and a sack last season. Senior, Steve Jurevis (Chicago, Ill./Curie) made 34 stops including one sack as a junior, and junior, Jackie Wayne (Glenwood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) racked up 45 tackles and five sacks as a sophomore. Senior defensive backs, Chuck Jones (Markham, Ill./Thornwood) (35 tackles/4 PBU) and Shazad Carbaidwala (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Fremd) (40 tackles/2 PBU) return in the secondary.

Wheaton (8-2, 6-1 CCIW in 2000)
At the beginning of the 2000 football season, Wheaton was thought to be extremely talented, but young and somewhat inexperienced. As the 2000 season continued, the team's talent began to prevail. The Thunder concluded the season with an 8-2 overall record, a 6-1 conference mark and a share of its first College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Championship since 1995. Wheaton's two losses were at Hope and Millikin, clubs that participated in the NCAA playoffs.

As the start of the 2001 season nears, Wheaton's team is seen as experienced and loaded with talent. The Thunder return 14 starters, with seven returning on each side of the ball. Wheaton's solid recruiting the past two to three years has given head coach Mike Swider's club tremendous depth.

DEFENSE: Wheaton's staunch defense returns seven starters, including three players on the defensive line and the entire starting defensive secondary. The defensive line will be anchored by three very talented returnees. Senior captain Jamie Busch returns at defensive end, after an all-conference junior season that saw him record a team-high 5½ sacks. Standout defensive tackles Dane Lundgren and Jeff Darnauer return for their junior campaigns. Lundgren, an All-American in his freshman season, made 64 total tackles with five sacks and 12 tackles for lost yardage in just eight games, after missing the first two
games of the season with an injury. Darnauer is the leading returnee in total tackles, making 73 last season. He also tied Busch for the team lead in sacks with 5½, had 10 tackles for loss and added seven pass deflections. Linebacker is the one spot on the Wheaton defense at which fans will see new
faces, as all three starters have graduated.

Wheaton's trio of losses at linebacker includes All-American J.D. Leman, two- time all-conference selection Greg McMillin and Brett Wyss. Junior Justin Knapp will probably replace McMillin at middle linebacker this season. In Wheaton's season-ending 37-30 overtime win against Augustana, Knapp's abilities were shown when he recorded 13 total tackles in his first collegiate start replacing the injured McMillin.

Wheaton returns four starters in the defensive backfield, including senior cornerbacks Bryan Ittersagen, an All-CCIW honoree last season and Ryan McCaffrey. McCaffrey led the team in interceptions with four and also passes broken up with 13, while making 57 total tackles. Sophomore Grant Tillotson and senior Bob Bollweg will also return at safety. Last season Bollweg led the secondary in tackles with 70. Tillotson will also assume duties as the team's placekicker this season, and will battle returning punter Randy Rosen for the punting chores.

OFFENSE: Last year the Thunder used two sophomores at quarterback throughout the season. Both Josh Anderson and Neil Anderson will return for their junior seasons and will again battle for playing time under center once the preseason camp begins. Josh Anderson completed 54% of his passes last season on 75-for-139 passing with six interceptions in seven games. Neil Anderson, a fleet-footed runner, completed 45.7% of his passes (75-for-164) with 14 interceptions.

At running back Wheaton loses two-time all-conference performer Brian Pastermack, who ran for 1,082 yards last season, the second-best single-season performance in school history. Replacing Pastermack will be two talented returnees in senior J.E. McKissic and junior Mike Whalen.

At wide receiver Wheaton loses All-American Jeremy Amos, who was a First Team All-CCIW selection last season as both receiver and kick returner. Wheaton does return junior Jon Wills, who made the most of his opportunities last season with five touchdowns on only nine catches for 229 yards with an average of 25.4 yards per catch. Two transfers will also make an impact on the receiving corps as Derek Peek will come to Wheaton from Southern Methodist, while Brad Musso is coming from James Madison. All-CCIW center Jon Adams returns as a team captain this season to an offensive line that returns three starters from last season.

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