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'll unveil the @CSNPreps Top 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); the Redhawks failed to qualify for the 2016 IHSA state playoff field.
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2017 regular season schedule:
Aug. 25 – @ Glenbard North
Sept. 1 – vs. Neuqua Valley
Sept. 8 – vs. Metea Valley
Sept. 15 - @ Waubonsie Valley
Sept. 22 - vs Wheaton South
Sept. 29 – vs St. Edward (Ohio)
Oct. 6 - vs Naperville North (at North Central College)
Oct. 13 - vs Wheaton North
Oct. 20 - @ Lake Park
Biggest storyline: Can the Redhawks reload and make the IHSA state playoff field this fall?
Names to watch this season: Senior RB AJ Deinhart, Junior OL Luke Hallstrom, Junior QB Payton Thorne.
Biggest holes to fill: The Redhawks will need to replace nine graduated starters from a season ago.
EDGY's early take: The Redhawks will need to reload a little, but this program always seems to have talent and overall numbers on board every year. The addition of junior transfer QB Payton Thorne (Metea Valley) is a real boost. If the new faces on defense can gel, look for Naperville Central to make a run back to the playoffs.