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 Aug. 1, we’ll unveil the @CSNPreps Top 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 26. You can view Edgy Tim's other football previews here.
School: Woodstock North Thunder
Head coach: Jeff Schroeder
Assistant coaches: John Fredericks, Matt Polnow, Chris Jackowiak
How they fared in 2015: 4-5 (2-4) Fox Valley (Fox). Woodstock North failed to qualify for the 2015 IHSA state football playoff field.
Biggest storyline in 2016: How will the Thunder fare in the new Kishwaukee River Conference in 2016?
Names to watch this season: OL/DL Zach Schau RB/DB Collin Mergi QB/LB Matt Zinnen
Biggest holes to fill: The Thunder will need to get some numbers and depth this season with several starters planning to play on both sides of the football.
EDGY's Early Take: The Thunder, along with sister school Woodstock, move into the new Kishwaukee River Conference along with several former Big Northern schools. The conference should benefit Woodstock North from an overall enrollment standpoint. Expect the Thunder to compete for a conference title and a state playoff spot.