Preview capsule: Lincoln-Way North football

"Our kids are well aware of the tradition this area has in football," Czart said. "It's evident by the number of state championships you see being won almost every year. The kids have been watching. It was just getting that first-hand experience of going against great players and great teams every week.

"One thing I'm looking forward to is seeing how they respond from gaining that experience. They shouldn't be passive. They know what to expect."

Backfield: Quarterback Tait Erikson, a football/baseball standout and honors student, bids to bounce back after suffering a season-ending toe injury in a 44-7 loss to Bolingbrook. He completed 35-of-87 passes for 388 yards. He threw 7 interceptions and had no touchdown passes.

"At times, he was a victim of what was surrounding him -- small and inexperienced linemen and inexperienced receivers," Czart said. "And he was only in his second year playing quarterback. So, there was a learning curve for him. His supporting cast will be much more sound."

Fullback Jimmy Hermle has bulked up to 200 pounds and will be a workhorse in the backfield. He rushed for a team-high 401 yards on 112 carries. Alex McInerney, Colin Hannigan and Tyler Willig also will work into the mix as running backs for the Phoenix.

Linemen: Jake Bice, Brian Wolfe, Eric Lindgren, Dan Enns and Justin Lovelace return. Bice, a tackle, is the biggest of the bunch at 6-3, 255. Mike Medina and Randy Remblake will push for playing time. "We're not asking them to bulldoze 300-pounders," Czart said. "We're going to rely on quickness and technique. They just have to give Tait (Erikson) some time and our backs some time. We're going to ask them to get in the way and use cutoff blocks to create little gaps."

Receivers: Ryne Lyson demonstrated an ability to make plays over the summer. He will add wideout duties to his cover-corner responsibilities. Third-string quarterback Nolan Gonciarczyk moves up from the sophomore team and moves into a new role, too. He'll work into the mix Steve Snedden. Bo Beniac (15 catches, 134 yards) and Troy Miroslaw are the tight ends.

Linemen: Nose tackle Jake Gerlach will be one of the mainstays in an eight-man rotation up front. Wolfe, Nick Knaperek, Ryan Smith and Jim Hammar will flank him at times. Hammar is a little guy with a big motor. "He was a wide receiver," Czart said. "But with all the injuries we had last year, we moved him over to the D-line. He's tough. And he's been 100 percent in terms of participation in the offseason. You want to reward that kind of dedication."

Linebackers: Dan Wiatrowski and Juan DeLeon are returning starters on the inside. Billy Chase, Mike Taylor and Joey Mateicka will rotate on the outside. Mateicka moved up from the sophomore team midway through last season.

Secondary: Lyson and Joe Pergolizzi are the two corners. Alex Cappos and backup quarterback Jack Irace will rotate in at corner or safety.

Pergolizzi returns to handle placekicking duties after going 2-for-2 on field goal attempts and 6-for-7 on PATs. Erikson presents the threat of a fake whenever he lines up to punt. He throws righty and kicks lefty. Two years ago, when North first started playing football, the current group of seniors played on a sophomore team that won six games.

"We know we're blessed with some talent," Czart said. "But now we've got to see if they've put in enough hard work to grow and get better, if they can excel. Just because you had a good sophomore record doesn't mean you're going to have a good varsity record. It doesn't always translate."

The Phoenix open against Central.

"It would be good for the kids especially to start with a win," Czart said. "But to me, honestly, I'm going to be more concerned about how we execute.

"Did we do the things we worked on well? We're trying to put the kids in a position to be successful. I'm more worried about the overall picture. We're trying to build a program. When you do things the right way, winning takes care of itself."