Experienced North Stars aiming high

Goal is to end run of playoff disappointment

St. Charles North offers proof that success is in the eye of the beholder.

The North Stars enter the 2009 season hoping to extend their streak of seven straight playoff appearances. While nobody in the program is complaining about that level of consistency, North's record in the postseason isn't too stellar.

The North Stars have only one victory in those seven trips to the playoffs, a fact that isn't lost on coach Mark Gould. But with noteworthy experience returning on both sides of the ball, Gould thinks this might be the year his team bucks the trend.

"Every player who has come through St. Charles North has played in the playoffs, but we've only advanced once," Gould said. "That is something that is really sticking in people. This group has a goal of advancing farther in the playoffs and doing more than any other St. Charles team has done before. I think that's our real focus."

Coming off a 6-4 campaign in 2008, Gould lauds the physical nature of this year's team. He also thinks this group might have more team speed than any squad in the program's nine-year varsity history.

Running back Jordan Huxtable tops the list of returnees. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound senior led the team with 961 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns last year.

"Jordan certainly worked hard in the offseason and gained a lot more strength," Gould said. "He has nice speed and is definitely a more powerful runner than he was last year."

Senior Mike Ghanem (6-1, 220) also returns at fullback and will likely see some time at tight end. Junior fullback Dirk Schmitt (5-11, 205) and junior wing back Ben Hodges (5-8, 185) will also contribute in the offensive backfield.

Senior Connor McShane (6-1, 185) and juniors Jake Bergren (6-1, 190) and Matt Shiltz (6-0, 155) are all competing for the starting quarterback job. With a clear cut choice yet to emerge, Gould said the position may not be decided until several weeks into the season.

Whoever takes the snaps will have a reliable target in senior receiver Jeff Stolzenburg (6-4, 175), who led the team with 359 receiving yards last year. Junior Josh Mikes (6-4, 195) is another dangerous receiver, but a back injury will likely keep him on the sidelines for the first half of the season.

Senior Matt Mautone (6-4, 275) is back for his third year as a varsity starter on the offensive line. Mautone moves to guard this season after playing center the past two years.

He'll be joined up front by senior tackle Ryan Brown (6-7, 260), who is also a returning starter. Juniors Pat Smith (6-6, 250) and C.J. Van Petten (6-2, 250) will also contribute on the offensive line.

Senior linebackers J.J. Weaver (6-1, 200), Ben Dvorak (6-1, 200) and Dominic Imbordino (6-1, 205) all return to help lead North's defense, which held opponents to an area-low 13.3 points per game last season. Seniors Dan Lynch (6-4, 210) and Matt Scanlon (5-10, 180) are also expected to make an impact at linebacker.

Senior Connor Mohs (5-8, 170) is the team's top defensive back. He'll be joined by seniors Justin Miller (6-0, 170), Pat Killeen (6-1, 180) and Taylor Coughlin (6-0, 180).

Senior Josh Peters (6-0, 260) is back as North's starting nose guard and will anchor an otherwise inexperienced defensive line.