CSNChicago.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 Jul. 31, we unveiled the @CSNPrepsTop 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 25.
School: Naperville Central
Head Coach: Mike Stine
Assistant Coaches: Mike Ulreich (Assistant Head Coach Defense/Defensive Coordinator), Eric Novak (D-Line), Tim Boecker (Defensive Backs), Marc Anderson (Defensive Backs), Josh McLeod (Linebackers/Rush Ends), Pat Watson (Assistant Head Coach Offense/Offensive Line), Chad Bradley (Quarterbacks), Adam Freed (Running Backs), Phil Allen (Tight Ends/Fullbacks),, Cris Crissey (Wide Receivers), Kofi Hughes (Wide Receivers)
How they fared in 2016: 4-5 (4-4 DuPage Valley Conference), failed to qualify for the 2016 IHSA state playoffs.
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2017 Regular Season Schedule:
August 25 @ Glenbard North
September 1 vs. Neuqua Valley
September 8 vs. Metea Valley
September 15 @ Waubonsie Valley
September 22 vs. Wheaton South
September 30 vs. St. Edward Ohio
October 6 vs Naperville North at NCC
October 13 vs. Wheaton North
October 20 @ Lake Park
Biggest storyline: Can the Redhawks potentially explosive offense help out a younger defense in 2017?
Names to watch this season: Senior RB AJ Deinhart, junior OL Luke Hallstrom
Biggest holes to fill: The Redhawks will feature just two returning starters on defense this fall in senior DL Lavar Arichibald and senior DB Braden Lindmark.
EDGY's Early Take: Naperville Central's offense was able to add a huge spark when former Metea Valley junior QB Payton Thorne and senior WR/DB Jayden Reed (Western Michigan) transferred into Naperville Central this past spring. The schedule is always rough in the DuPage Valley, including a Week 1 opener against Glenbard North, yet this Redhawks team has a ton of potential and longer term upside in 2017.