21 Days to Kickoff: Hinsdale Central

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NBCSportsChicago.com preps reporter "Edgy" Tim O’Halloran spotlights 100 high school football teams in 100 days. The first 75 team profiles will focus on teams making strides across Chicagoland and elsewhere in the state. Starting Aug. 5, we’ll unveil the @NBCSPrepsTop 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 30.

School: Hinsdale Central

Head coach: Brian Griffin

How they fared in 2018: 8-3 (5-1 West Suburban Silver Conference). Hinsdale Central made the Class 8A state playoff field and defeated Conant. They lost to Warren Township in second round action.

2019 regular season schedule:

Aug. 30 vs Naperville Central
Sept. 6 @ Morton
Sept. 13 @ Hinsdale South
Sept. 20 @ Oak Park-River Forest
Sept. 27 vs Downers Grove North
Oct. 4 @ York
Oct. 11 vs Proviso West
Oct. 18 @ Glenbard West
Oct. 25 vs Lyons Township

[MORE: 46 Days to Kickoff - Downers Grove North]

Biggest storyline: How the team is moving on after an intense offseason. The football program was in jeopardy, but is now on stable ground thanks to a District 86 referendum that successfully passed in April. Can the Red Devils now have a seamless transition under new head coach Brian Griffin?

Names to watch this season: DB Owen Goss (Sr.), WR Braden Contreras (Sr.) and OL Kiran Amegadjie (Sr.)

Biggest holes to fill: The Red Devils will need to fill some key impact starters from last season's squad including quarterback and running back.

EDGY's Early Take: Brian Griffin has been a long-time assistant coach at Hinsdale Central, so the transition from former head coach Dan Hartman (Lyons Township) should be seamless. Look for the Red Devils to turn some heads this year. A strong senior core will be asked to play a big role in leading a young, but talented group. Senior DB Owen Goss (Colgate) is an all-area caliber player who can also see playing time at multiple spots as needed. The Red Devils always have speed, talent and numbers in the program. The regular season schedule is always an interesting one, punctuated by a must-see opening game against Naperville Central.

 

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