This was a deep group, with five teams making the playoffs and Kaneland less than a touchdown away. Yet it was Class 7A quarterfinalist Geneva that swept the WSC field. Though the Vikings graduated seven all-WSC selections, they still return a ton of talent, led by Republican Player of the Year Michael Ratay (1,743 rushing yards, 34 total TDs), linebacker Brennan Quinn (125 tackles) and defensive lineman Cory Hofstetter.

Batavia, a Class 6A finalist in 2006, returns the strong-armed Jordan Coffey at quarterback and  the speedy J.R. Kabba at running back. The Bulldogs also sported a deceptive .500 record, with its last four losses having a total margin of 16 points.

Glenbard South had one of its best seasons in the last decade and returns five all-UEC picks — linemen Alex Pulos (one of four offensive linemen back) and Austin Teitsma, defensive backs Ryan McKean and Kyle Slott and linebacker Louis Erkins, plus QB Kevin Marshall.

Rochelle graduated a lot from the top scoring defense in the WSC but its wing-T attack will be potent again with the return of RB Devon Mancillas (108.4 yards per game, 9 TDs).

Sycamore made the playoffs for the third time in the last 22 years but lost QB Nick Anderson and WSC defensive MVP Jason Schepler to graduation. Tom Fedderly is back for a second season as head coach at Kaneland, which missed the playoffs for the first time since 1994. DeKalb returns all-WSC linebacker Matt Fletcher but hasn’t made the playoffs since 1989. Yorkville will be hard pressed to move up in the WSC or return to the postseason for the first time since 2002, especially after graduating all-WSC defensive lineman Spencer Britt and all-WSC wide receiver Shawn Corwin.


Batavia
NICKNAME Bulldogs
COLORS Crimson and gold
STADIUM Bulldog Stadium, 1200 W. Wilson St., Batavia
ENROLLMENT 1,859
CLASS 7A
COACH Mike Gaspari
2007 RECORD 5-5
CONFERENCE FINISH 4-3 (T-2nd)

DeKalb
NICKNAME Barbs
COLORS Orange and black
STADIUM Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium, Stadium Drive, DeKalb
ENROLLMENT 1,710
CLASS 6A
COACH Kurt Johansen
2007 RECORD 3-6
CONFERENCE FINISH 2-5 (7th)

Geneva
NICKNAME Vikings
COLORS Royal blue and white
STADIUM Burgess Field, 1482 Gray St., Geneva
ENROLLMENT 1,978
CLASS 7A
COACH Rob Wicinski
2007 RECORD 11-1
CONFERENCE FINISH 7-0 (1st)

Glenbard South
NICKNAME Raiders
COLORS Red, white and royal blue
STADIUM Raider Field, 23W200 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn
ENROLLMENT 1,421
CLASS 6A
COACH Dan Starkey
2007 RECORD 7-4
CONFERENCE FINISH 4-3 (T-2nd)

Kaneland
NICKNAME Knights
COLORS Black and white
STADIUM 47W326 Keslinger Road, Maple Park
ENROLLMENT 1,141
CLASS 5A
COACH Tom Fedderly
2007 RECORD 4-5
CONFERENCE FINISH 3-4 (6th)

Rochelle
NICKNAME Hubs
COLORS Purple and white
STADIUM Douglas A. Creason Field, 1401 Flagg Road, Rochelle
ENROLLMENT 1,116
CLASS 5A
COACH Kevin Crandall
2007 RECORD 7-4
CONFERENCE FINISH 4-3 (T-2nd)

Sycamore
NICKNAME Spartans
COLORS Black and gold
STADIUM Harry Engh Field, 555 Spartan Trail, Sycamore
ENROLLMENT 1,162
CLASS 5A
COACH Joe Ryan
2007 RECORD 5-5
CONFERENCE FINISH 4-3 (T-2nd)

Yorkville
NICKNAME Foxes
COLORS Red and white
STADIUM 797 Game Farm Road, Yorkville
ENROLLMENT 1,295
CLASS 5A
COACH Jim Still
2007 RECORD 2-7
CONFERENCE FINISH 0-7 (8th)

3 Games to Watch
Rochelle at Kaneland, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12
Glenbard South at Geneva, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19
Batavia at Geneva, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24