Preview capsule: Plainfield North football

Plainfield North needed a victory over Morris in its final game last season to qualify for the playoffs, but it did not happen. That helped set the goal for this season.

"We started out 0-3 with losses by 6, 2 and 2 points, and then we lost later by 1 point in overtime to Oswego," Tigers coach Tim Kane recalled. "So we need to get off to a better start. We're looking to get into the playoffs. That's certainly what we need to do."

The Tigers suffered significant graduation losses, but they do return key veterans on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. So the building blocks are in place.

"We lost some good players and emotional leaders," Kane said. "They played the game how you wanted it to be played. We need to understand how to play with the passion, excitement and enthusiasm you need."

Backfield : Senior Bryce Corrigan returns for his third year as a varsity quarterback. He has not always started, but he has seen significant playing time. Last season he completed 44-of-101 passes for 569 yards and 8 touchdowns. "I think Bryce's experience at the varsity level and within our system is providing a level of comfort," Kane said. "On checking in and out and doing different things, he has been around the game enough and trusts himself enough to get us where we need to be. He always has thrown the ball well, now he understands the game better."

Senior Devonta Davis is a key returning back who also can catch Corrigan's passes. He rushed for 153 yards and caught 18 passes for 275 yards last season. Having junior Kapri Bibbs available to run the ball will allow Davis to play more as a receiver. Standout linebacker Matt Meyers or Nick Pietrek will be at fullback.

Linemen : Senior guard Andrew Scarmardo is the only returning starter in the offensive line. The rest of the line will include center Alex Molek, guard Kyle Ryan and tackles Kyle Possedi and Matt Cassidy, although Eric Rodriguez also is battling for playing time at guard or center. Ryan and Rodriguez are juniors. "We have decent size up front, and one of the best assets is the kids there are able to move well," Kane said. "It's nice to have linemen who can move."

Receivers : In addition to Davis, Chris Whitehead and Brent Shelton are returning starters. Kane said junior Erran Pagan "is extremely fast and has good hands," and junior Courtney Johnson also can help, so Corrigan will have targets. If the Tigers use a tight end, juniors Cody Lopez and Joe Pendolino are available.

Linemen : The Tigers employ a 5-2 defensive alignment. Possedi is a returning starter at tackle and so is Molek at end. Some combination of tackles Arlander Wade, Jordan Holsbrook and Isaiah Gardiner and ends Anthony Lewis, Will Chacon and Jake Seeland will fill out the line.

Linebackers : This is Meyers' third year starting, and he is attracting significant college looks. He played at about 190 pounds last year, now is 215. "He's really a good player and understands the game well," Kane said. With Lopez, who started much of last year, and Pietrek also available, Kane said, "We are good there at linebacker."

Secondary : Davis will play corner or safety and will be a main man in the secondary. "We are not all that solidified otherwise," Kane said, naming Evan Whaley, Kyle Palendeck, Shelton, Mike Laudizio and Creston Caldwell as candidates for playing time.

Three-year kicker Tim Eulitz is at Upper Iowa, and the Tigers are looking to Sean Renzi and/or Phil Lawler to do their punting and kicking. The return game is in good shape with Davis and perhaps Whaley and Bibbs.

Kane said he thought the Suburban Prairie Conference race would be wide open last year, and he feels it is again. "It's there for the team that plays well and eliminates turnovers and mistakes," he said. "I feel we can be that team. With a third-year quarterback in Corrigan and five defensive starters back, including our two inside linebackers, that will help."

Now, it is a matter of this year's group understanding the passion of an Andrew Starks, the Tigers' all-everything from 2008 who now is at Princeton.