The West Suburban Conference Silver Division has produced four different conference champions in as many years, dating back to 2004. It appears that parity will again be on the slate in 2008 as defending champion Lyons Township has 2006 champ York and 2004 champ Hinsdale Central to hold off. (Technically, York shared the 2007 and 2005 titles, but lost tie-breakers). Glenbard West, led by Notre Dame-recruit Chris Watt, pops into the picture this year.

Downers Grove North, the 2005 champ, is looking to rebound from a disappointing 2-7 campaign last year and Oak Park-River Forest can’t be overlooked, either. Add to that an improving Proviso West squad (which went 4-5 two years ago and has the ship righted under Famous Hulbert), could be the sleeper team.

Lyons Township gets the nod as early conference favorite thanks to its defending the title, though York and Hinsdale Central should have something to say about it. The Lions haven’t fared well against the Red Devils recently, beating them just once in the past six years.

The Silver is known as a smash-mouth conference and this season should be no different. Most of the teams in the Silver prefer a run-first, pass-second offense and play a 3-4 defense with mobile linebackers designed to stop the run.

Downers Grove North
NICKNAME Trojans
COLORS Purple and white
STADIUM Carstens Field, 4436 Main St., Downers Grove
ENROLLMENT 2,271
CLASS 7A
COACH John Wander
2007 RECORD 2-7
CONFERENCE RECORD 1-5 (T-6th)

Glenbard West
NICKNAME Hilltoppers
COLORS Green and white
STADIUM Duchon Stadium, 670 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn
ENROLLMENT 2,129
CLASS 7A
COACH Chad Hetlet
2007 RECORD 6-5
CONFERENCE RECORD 3-3 (4th)

Hinsdale Central
NICKNAME Red Devils
COLORS Red and white
STADIUM Dickinson Field, 55th St. and Grant St., Hinsdale
ENROLLMENT 2,635
CLASS 8A
COACH Mike DiMatteo
2007 RECORD 7-4
CONFERENCE RECORD 4-2 (3rd)

Lyons Township
NICKNAME Lions
COLORS Blue and gold
STADIUM Bennet Field, 4900 S. Gilbert, Western Springs
ENROLLMENT 3,876
CLASS 8A
COACH Jack Derning
2007 RECORD 8-2
CONFERENCE RECORD 5-1 (T-1st)

Oak Park-River Forest
NICKNAME Huskies
COLORS Blue and orange
STADIUM Huskie Stadium, Lake St. and East Ave., Oak Park
ENROLLMLENT 3,172
CLASS 8A
COACH Jim Nudera
2007 RECORD 4-5
CONFERENCE RECORD 2-4 (5th)

Proviso West
NICKNAME Panthers
COLORS Red, black and white
STADIUM Proviso West Field, 4701 W. Harrison, Hillside
ENROLLMENT 2,852
CLASS 8A
COACH Famous Hulbert
2007 RECORD 2-7
CONFERENCE RECORD 1-5 (T-6th)

York
NICKNAME Dukes
COLORS Green and white
STADIUM Clarence D. East Field, 355 W. St. Charles Rd., Elmhurst
ENROLLMENT 2,587
CLASS 8A
COACH Bill Lech
2007 RECORD 8-3
CONFERENCE RECORD 5-1 (T-1st)