Aurora (7-4, 7-0 IBC in 2000)
In 1998 Aurora ended its independent status and became a member of the Illini-Badger Football Conference. Three perfect conference seasons later, the Spartans are looking to win a fourth consecutive conference championship. Since 1998 coach Jim Scott's (16th season, 79-54-3) Spartans have been a perfect 21-0 in conference.

"For us this has been a tremendous accomplishment," said Scott. "When you're on a streak like this, some things have to go your way. With two overtime wins and many close games, our hard work and dedication has given our team positive results."

These positive results have been credited to the tough non-conference schedule that the Spartans have been facing. The Spartans will start the 2001 campaign against two tough opponents in Bethel (NCAA playoff team in 2000) and Illinois Wesleyan (CCIW tri-champion). With the regular season finale at home against Division I-AA Valparaiso, the 2001 Spartans have their work cut out for them.

"We choose this schedule by design. We want a very rigorous non-conference schedule. To compete at the national level we have to be prepared to play those kinds of teams," said Scott. "We use those games to prepare for a tough conference season."

The upcoming season will indeed be a tough one. With the loss of 18 seniors, 16 starters, the holes to fill are a concern for the Spartan coaches. "Some of these kids have been starting for four years. In losing all this talent, including a couple of All-Americans, the experience level is going to be down this year," said Scott. "As a coaching staff we are confident in filling those gaps quickly."

Along with some key newcomers, the Spartans will look to the 13 returning starters (9 offensive and 4 defensive) to lead the way back to the NCAA playoffs. Scott's offense will look for sophomore quarterback Garrett Meyer (Hampshire H.S.) (47-93, 869 yds, 6 TD, 124.1 ypg.) to start the Spartan scoring attack this fall. Doing the rushing for the Spartans this year will be junior running back Kyle Schrader (Kaneland H.S.) (107 att, 470 yds, 5 TD), along with senior full backs Joe Schmitt (Annawan H.S.) (66 att, 340 yds, 4 TD) and Brian Herra (Kaneland H.S.) (5 att, 20 yds).

The blocking for this potent offense will be led by junior captain, offensive lineman, Byron Megli (Sterling H.S.) With three starting lineman lost on the offensive side, coach Scott and the Spartan offense will be looking for Megli to use his experience and talent to protect the backfield. Meyer's receiving core for the season will consist of a trio of seniors including team captain Paulie Forsythe (Joilet Central H.S.) (28 rec, 433 yds, 3 TD) and senior Jeff Pfeiffer (Ashton H.S.) (3 rec, 45 yds), along with part-time receiving help from 2nd year captain Kip Daniels (Ridgeview H.S.) (9 rec, 117 yds, 2 TD). Daniels, Aurora's all-time record setter in all receiving categories, will have spent his last two seasons primarily on the defensive side of the ball, and returning kicks.

One of the Spartans main goals this season will be to improve on the turnover ratio throughout the season. "In the 2000 season three of our four losses were in result of a negative turnover ratio," said Scott. "It is impossible to do away with all turnovers, but our main focus is to improve the turnover ratio."

Also improving on the turnover ratio will be assistant head coach Jon Cooper and the 2001 Spartan defense. The Spartans will walk onto the gridiron in 2001 with the loss of seven starters on the defensive side, including two All-Americans.

With the loss of so much talent the main goal for coach Cooper and the Spartans will be to improve each week. "As a young defense we must continue to improve each week. This is probably going to be the least experienced defense on the field that I have worked with. We are confident as a staff that the holes can be filled and the team will progress each week," said Cooper.

A strong point in the Spartan defense will be the return of three members in the secondary. Daniels (46 tackles) led the 2000 defense with four interceptions and will look to raise that mark in 2001. On the other side of the field junior defensive back Robert Watson (West Aurora H.S.) (29 tackles) will be coach Cooper's answer to the pass defensive scheme.

In 2000 the Spartan run-defense was one to be reckoned with. Giving up only 105.4 rushing yards per game, the 2001 team has some large gaps to fill. Returning as a run stopper will be junior captain Brandon Schweinler (Rockford Lutheran H.S.) (67 tackles) at one of the linebacker positions and senior defensive lineman Corey Harris (Rockford Boylan H.S.) (27 tackles, 2 sacks) will be looked at to provided experience in both run and pass defense.

"With a tough early schedule we must get started right from the get-go," said Cooper. "The potential is there and we have many good players coming in this year. Our defense will utilize the experience we have and progress each week with the new additions."

The special teams department in 2001 will be one with good experience. Both kickoff and punt returning responsibilities will be in the hands of Daniels. In 2000, the senior captain returned 24 punts for 388 yards and took back 11 kickoffs for 302 yards. The punting will be done by junior Ryan Dexter (Byron H.S.), with sophomore Ryan Glab (McHenry H.S.) taking care of the placekicking. "Special teams will be good this year, we have good return men as well as good kickers," said Scott. "We have gradually improved in this department and this will win some games for us this year."

The 2001 season will definitely be a test for the whole program. The success in the past will be the focal point for the future. With the addition of many newcomers blending with the experience of the veterans, the Spartans are looking to continue perfection in the 2001 conference campaign.

Benedictine (7-3, 6-1 IBC in 2000)
The 2001 Benedictine University football squad will look to build on the momentum from last season when they finished with a 7-3 overall record, winning seven consecutive games for the first time since the 1987 season. Having gone 6-4 the previous season, the Eagles put together their first back to back winning seasons in over a decade. With a 6-1 conference record, the Eagles finished second in the Illini-Badger Conference, 17 players were named to the All-Conference team.

The Eagles enter the 2001 season under new coaching leadership. Mike Murray, who has spent the past four seasons as the head football coach at Dubuque, becomes the 23rd coach in the 79-year football history of Benedictine. He takes over for Jeff Hand who departed for another head coaching position at Waynesburg.

The strength of the Eagle defense was a key factor in the success achieved during the 2000 campaign. The Eagles lose one starter from a defense that was rated first in the IBFC in team total defense and team rushing defense. Nationally, the Eagles were ranked twelfth in team rushing defense, 20th in team total defense and 28th in team pass efficiency defense.

Standout Charles Verdone (Naperville Central), who started for three and a half years at defensive back, completed his career as the new school record holder in career interceptions with 21.

Leading the pack of returners is senior defensive lineman Michael Gardiner (St. Patrick). In only two seasons, Gardiner already owns two school records that include the single season sack record, with 19, and career sack record, with an amazing 29 in only two seasons. Last season Gardiner earned IBFC Player of the Week recognition twice during the season and was the IBFC Most Valuable Defensive Lineman.

The core of Eagles returning on defense received numerous accolades as well following last season’s efforts. Junior linebacker Luke Stalets (Taylorville) concluded the season ranked 18th in the nation in tackles and was a first team all conference selection.

Senior defensive lineman Jeff Radomski (St. Rita), who appeared in the national rankings in sacks last season, was also a first team all conference selection. Junior defensive lineman Pat Holliday (Scecina Memorial) was an all conference selection as well. Senior linebacker Adam McCarthy (Hampshire), junior defensive back Casey Cronin (Andrew), junior linebacker Tom Shanahan (Lincoln-Way) all received all-conference recognition and return to bolster the top rated Eagle defense.

Offensively, the Eagles have a talented group of returners, but will have to adjust to the loss of four key contributors. Three of the four lost, Omar Davis (Crete-Monee), Joe Novak (Argo), and David Speicher (Naperville Central) started all ten games on the offensive line, each earning all-conference recognition. The fourth, Bob Bensfield (Riverside Brookfield), contributed at the quarterback position and earned all-conference recognition as well.

The Eagles offense returns five athletes that earned all-conference honors following the 2000 campaign, including two IBFC players of the week. Leading the pack is junior quarterback Michael Robinson (Curie) who, along with being named all-conference, received IBFC Offensive Player of the week twice during the season.

Sophomore wide receiver Sebastian Singleton (Curie) also earned IBFC Offensive Player of the Week as well as being named all conference. Senior offensive lineman Mike Nielson (Winnebago), junior running back Tandon Noplos (Sycamore) and sophomore full back Ryan Ferguson (Pekin) are the other returners that landed on the all-conference team and will be key contributors to the Eagles offensive attack during the 2001 season.

The Eagles also look forward to the return of Joey Poczatko (Argo), special teams standout, who concluded the year ranked 21st nationally in punt returns and 29th in kickoff returns. McCarthy, a starter on defense, also returns to punt for the Eagles. McCarthy earned all-conference recognition as both a punter and a linebacker last season.

Lakeland (4-6, 3-4 IBC in 2000)
After a slow start in 2000, the young guns at quarterback are poised and ready to go in 2001. Kevin Cox, Brent Luebke, Jed Manders and Nick Timmerman will all be competing for leadership of the high-powered Muskie offense. Luebke and Cox split duties throughout 2000, while Manders and Timmerman played the role of understudies. High hopes are placed on the shoulders of these young quarterbacks who threw for 857 yards and seven touchdowns in the last two games of the 2000 season for the Muskies.

The Muskies will look to improve upon their fifth-place finish in total rushing yardage in the IBFC. Two-time unanimous all-conference running back David Wulff returns for his junior year. Over the past two seasons, Wulff has rushed for over 1,700 yards and caught 111 passes out of the backfield. Returnees Sean Burgess and Jayson Taylor-Dawkins should help to provide the depth that the Muskies need. Newcomer Nick Hunter has the speed and explosiveness to make running back one of the deepest positions in the offense.

The Muskies will be facing a challenge at wide receiver in 2001. Gone from the 2000 team are three IBFC all-conference receivers. The lone returning starter is Jason Inghram. The Muskies are looking forward to having the experience of senior Scott Huber back after a season-ending injury in 2000. Speedster James Hayes, a redshirt sophomore, will be called upon to stretch the defense and light up the scorebook. Also returning at wideout are Chris Zablocki and Jeff Taff, both of which saw considerable playing time in 2000. An old face to Lakeland but a fresh face to the football program, Shawn Behrend, a pitcher on the Muskie baseball team, brings great size and speed to the receiver position. Redshirt freshman Joe Huber and Jesse Ashauer, and special team standout Eric Fritz will be looked upon to help the Muskies reach the endzone. Newcomers Ryan Poux, Jeff Harding and Jeff Koepsell are all young receivers that will bring excitement to the receiving core.

There is excitement in the offensive line this season. The position that was decimated by injuries during the 2000 season, losing six players for all or part of the season, looks to see many of those players return to action this fall. Experience is one of the best qualities of the Muskie offensive line, which will return eight starters from a year ago. Nick Fox, Pat Romagnoli, Shane Straseske, Mike Hansen, Greg Doiron, Kyle Anderson, James Larkin and Jason King all bring added experience to the line this year. Mike Neuhaus, John Kelnhofer and newcomers Brandon Naylor and David McNeal will challenge for spots in the starting rotation. The experience, work ethic and positive attitude of the offensive line will provide the upfront support that will allow the Muskie offense to be successful in 2001.

The defensive line will again be the mainstay of the Muskies' defense. All-conference performer Mario Clark, along with Eric Luchina, Lawrence Adams and Matt Gunville will be the anchors at defensive tackle. Defensive end will see three very strong linemen returning to the rotation in Ryan Kalcich, Scott Schroeder and Santino Laster. Johnnie Ferguson, Thomas Dickerson, Nick Zech and Rick Bowerman are among a host of newcomers to the defensive line that will help solidify the front line, which yielded 3.3 yards per carry a year ago.

The 2001 linebacking corps will be looked upon to bring leadership to the Muskie Defense. This unit has two returning starters in first team all-conference performer Justin DeGroot and team leader Bryan Dermody. This season, the linebackers will have depth with returnees Scott Ring, Jeff Zastrow, Mike Pickett, Roosevelt Moore and John Rosales. Newcomers Mike Gregory, Justin Mickelson and Bill Krueger could play a significant role in the success of the Muskie campaign.

The Muskie defensive backfield will again be young and athletic, but more experienced with three returning starters of a year ago in Mark Edmond, Charlie Larsen and Corey Roberson. The secondary will also have three returnees: Erich Voight, Ryan Porten and Terrance Kilgore, who will compete for playing time along with 12 freshmen. This is one of the strongest freshman classes that Lakeland has ever seen. Dwight Crews, Jesse McLeod, Chris Davis, K.J. Sandusky, Jason Atanasoff, Matt Swain, Jason Tschudy, Sam Scharinger, Cedric Bess, Brad Goldstein, Kyle Stevens and Nick Villers should strengthen the Muskie defense for years to come.

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