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 July 30, we’ll unveil the @NBCSPrepsTop 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 24.
School: Neuqua Valley
Head coach: Bill Ellinghaus
Assistant coaches: Rodney Jones, Jason Berry, J.R. Niklos, Clayton Figi, Joey Michals, Tom Trayser, Tim Companey, Jack smilanic, Mike Parton, Billy Ellinghaus, David Ricca,Dominic Pisciteillo, Bill Miller, Jeff Wynne and Nico Vittori
How they fared in 2017: 5-4 (3-4 DuPage Valley Conference). Neuqua Valley failed to qualify for the IHSA state football playoff field.
2018 Regular Season Schedule:
Aug. 24 vs Glenbard North
Aug. 31 vs Stevenson
Sept. 7 @ Waubonsie Valley
Sept. 14 @ Normal Community
Sept. 21 @ Jacobs
Sept. 28 vs Waubonsie Valley
Oct. 5 @ Naperville Central
Oct. 12 vs Metea Valley
Oct. 19 vs Naperville North
[MORE: 95 Days to Kickoff - Waubonsie Valley]
Biggest storyline: Can the Wildcats rebound and get back into the state playoffs despite having a loaded regular season schedule?
Names to watch this season: WR Brandt Stare and DE Matt Quinn
Biggest holes to fill: The Wildcats will need to reload at a few key spots including quarterback and along the offensive line.
EDGY's Early Take: Despite posting a 5-4 record last season, the Wildcats stayed home during the playoffs. It's something that doesn't sit well at Neuqua Valley under head coach Bill Ellinghaus and staff. How will they bounce back? Neuqua Valley always plays a strong schedule. It'll be supercharged this fall due in part to the splitting of the DuPage Valley conference, which left just five teams remaining from a season ago. As a result, Neuqua plays archrival Waubonsie Valley twice. If the Wildcats can get out of the gates quick and develop some new names at a few key spots they will be playoff bound this season.