Opening day brings dose of optimism

With the official opening of the 2009 high school football season today, we take a few minutes to wonder just what might transpire between now and State Finals weekend in late November.

• What kind of sequel can Bartlett author following the best-ever season in Hawks' history?

Most of the stars are gone from a 12-1 state semifinalist. But here's betting that cagey veteran coach Tom Meaney has something in store for Bartlett fans again. Returning tight end Greg Partyka is a solid player to build around.

• Can an Elgin School District U-46 program other than Bartlett reach the playoffs?

Elgin, Larkin, South Elgin and Streamwood went a combined 8-28 last season.

Larkin went 4-5 and missed the postseason party last fall. Second-year coach Matt Gehrig figures to have the Royals ready to rumble. And they've added a player who figured to contribute significantly for crosstown rival Elgin.

Junior Lee Jackson, who played quarterback for the sophomore team at Elgin High last fall, signed up for the Larkin team on Monday, according to Gehrig.

Elgin and coach Dave Bierman are trying to turn the tide and produce a winning season for the first time on the east side of town since 2001. The Maroons could be a work in progress after losing some key players to graduation.

South Elgin continues to seek its first winning campaign. The Storm scored 19 or more points in five of its last games, finishing 3-6 after a tough start to the season offensively.

Streamwood usually has playmakers but getting a consistent effort from the entire crew is what the Sabres need.

• St. Charles North is looking for its eighth consecutive playoff bid under the only coach the program has known in Mark Gould. The North Stars open against Tri-Cities rival Batavia.

• St. Charles East begins the Mike Fields coaching era this fall after Ted Monken left to erect the Metea Valley program. The Saints went 8-3 last season, losing to Cary-Grove in the second round of the playoffs.

• St. Edward appears headed in the right direction. The Green Wave went 4-5 last season when a four-game losing skid cost the program a chance at its first postseason berth since 2003. Look for powerful linemen Shane Finnane and Nathan Gaige to anchor a sturdy Green Wave contingent as the Suburban Christian Conference opens this fall.

• Dundee-Crown fizzled after a 3-1 start last season, dropping its final five games. The Chargers haven't tasted playoff football since 1994. D-C opens at Elgin and plays host to Streamwood, setting up another potentially quick getaway.

• Jacobs has fallen on hard times since the Golden Eagles made a second-round playoff appearance in 2006. They've mustered just six wins since then, including a 2-7 mark in 2008. Jacobs lost five consecutive games by at least three touchdowns during a seven-game slide last fall.

• Huntley no longer has the graduated Jordan Neukirch to lean on and the Red Raiders are coming off their first postseason appearance in eight years. Former head coach Mike Slattery is back with the program, manning the offensive coordinator post. Slattery guided Huntley to the state semifinals in 2001.

• Hampshire lost a lot to graduation, but figures to make a run at defending its Big Northern Conference East Division crown. The Whip-Purs went one and done in the playoffs last season after opening the campaign with an 0-3 record.

• Burlington Central took its lumps last season, posting a 2-7 mark. The Rockets hope to rebound, but doing so in the BNC East is a tough chore.

• Genoa-Kingston took a step in the right direction last season, returning to the playoffs after qualifying in 2007. Veteran coach Bill McCarty has the Cogs on the upswing.