5 Questions for the 2020 Dupage Valley Conference
So who is the favorite to win the Dupage Valley ?
Not sure to be honest....and while some teams have a lot of strength back they also have in my mind as many questions in 2020. Naperville Central (4-5) was the preseason favorite and was also highly ranked in the preseason, but then the schedule took ahold and the Redhawks never was able to recover after playing some monster teams in non conference play last season. The Redhawks are also under serious consideration as the preseason favorite in 2020 as well. Back is senior QB San Jackson (Purdue) and the Redhawks are again stacked in the offensive skills department. Yet can the Redhawks line play get better this fall along with a defense that brings back just 4 starters from a season ago. DeKalb was one of the better stories from the DVC in 2019, entering the conference last fall for the first time and made quite an impression. Head coach Keith Snyder welcomed back some key names led by senior QB Trenton Kyler along with 14 other returning starters and the Barbs inb my mind are right at the top as contenders. Neuqua Valley and head coach Bill Ellinghaus always finds a way to win yet the Wildcats also need to reload in some key spots including QB and both the offensive and defensive lines. Waubonsie Valley and new head coach Tom Baumgartner takes over the Warriors program but will need to seriously reload this fall.
So who could make a move up in the Dupage Valley conference in 2020?
Technically I guess Naperville Central would fit here after going 4-5 in 2019, but also just listed them as one of the team to consider as favorites so...Naperville North (2-7) to me is in an intriguing team for 2020. The Huskies played a ton of young guys last season and head coach Sean Drendel welcomes back 13 returning starters (7 offense 6 defense) and the overall talent level is pretty high. The schedule is truly front loaded for Naperville North this fall and a big key for me is how they can find a few early wins in the non conference portion of the schedule. Yet out of the teams who had a losing record in the DVC in 2019, North could be a nice breakout choice here.
Which Dupage Valley teams will be ranked in the 2020 Preseason EDGYTIM Chicagoland Top 30 poll?
Two and I'm looking hard at three teams to fit in the two ranking spots. Naperville Central will again get a lot of consideration along with DeKalb. Neuqua Valley always seems to find a way to reload year in and year out and they also have earned that preseason ranking consideration. I can see the top team getting into the Top 12 range then the second team in the 15-25 range and a third getting into the others. Reminder...I have yet to truly sit down and plan out the Chicagoland Top 30....that will be happening very soon.
Who are the preseason favorites to be the 2020 Dupage Valley Conference MVP?
The DVC is never in short supply when it comes to talent and MVP caliber type of candidates. Naperville Central senior QB Sam Jackson I feel is the top name to watch here. Jackson has the tools to become a major player both in the DVC this fall as well as a state wide MVP candidate. Jackson has several key targets on offense this fall and if he can get time to throw look out here. DeKalb also has a steady and solid performer in senior QB Trenton Kyler. Kyler, who will be a three year varsity starter in 2020 has a terrific arm with touch and just seems to play as consistently well as anyone in the DVC. Nequa Valley senior RB Armani Moreno is another multi-year starter who is in line for a big 2020 senior season. Waubonsie Valley will be seeking some seriously new names to replace a very strong graduated senior group from the 2019 squad, yet senior WR Sean Clinton is a veteran and a key player for Waubonsie this fall. Naperville North as mentioned was young in 2019, and I expect more names to emerge this fall yet junior WR/S Zeke Williams is an explosive playmaker to watch this fall. Metea Valley also has experience back in 2020 and junior WR/S John Flynn just never leaves the field for the Mustangs.
Who has the toughest non conference schedule in the DVC for 2020?
Naperville Central- vs Hinsdale Central/@ LW East/@ Novi (Mich) Cemntral Catholic and then @ East St. Louis in Week 9. Yep nothing easy here again in 2020.
Waubonsie Valley- vs Oswego East/@ St. Charles East/vs NV/vs OFallon Very solid here
Naperville North- vs Benet/@ Glenbard North/@ Centerville Ohio/vs NV- Centeerville Ohio game is interesting here.
Neuqua Valley- @ Oswego/@ WWS/@ WV/@ NN Week 1 is a dandy and all four games are solid
DeKalb- @ Evanston/vs Sycamore @ NIU/@ Belleville West/vs Cahokia Sycamore at NIU is always a big deal.
Metea Valley- vs Geneva/@ Lockport/vs Belleville East/@ Rich Township I see a few potential wins here for the Mustangs.
So who is the favorite to win the Dupage Valley ?
Not sure to be honest....and while some teams have a lot of strength back they also have in my mind as many questions in 2020. Naperville Central (4-5) was the preseason favorite and was also highly ranked in the preseason, but then the schedule took ahold and the Redhawks never was able to recover after playing some monster teams in non conference play last season. The Redhawks are also under serious consideration as the preseason favorite in 2020 as well. Back is senior QB San Jackson (Purdue) and the Redhawks are again stacked in the offensive skills department. Yet can the Redhawks line play get better this fall along with a defense that brings back just 4 starters from a season ago. DeKalb was one of the better stories from the DVC in 2019, entering the conference last fall for the first time and made quite an impression. Head coach Keith Snyder welcomed back some key names led by senior QB Trenton Kyler along with 14 other returning starters and the Barbs inb my mind are right at the top as contenders. Neuqua Valley and head coach Bill Ellinghaus always finds a way to win yet the Wildcats also need to reload in some key spots including QB and both the offensive and defensive lines. Waubonsie Valley and new head coach Tom Baumgartner takes over the Warriors program but will need to seriously reload this fall.
So who could make a move up in the Dupage Valley conference in 2020?
Technically I guess Naperville Central would fit here after going 4-5 in 2019, but also just listed them as one of the team to consider as favorites so...Naperville North (2-7) to me is in an intriguing team for 2020. The Huskies played a ton of young guys last season and head coach Sean Drendel welcomes back 13 returning starters (7 offense 6 defense) and the overall talent level is pretty high. The schedule is truly front loaded for Naperville North this fall and a big key for me is how they can find a few early wins in the non conference portion of the schedule. Yet out of the teams who had a losing record in the DVC in 2019, North could be a nice breakout choice here.
Which Dupage Valley teams will be ranked in the 2020 Preseason EDGYTIM Chicagoland Top 30 poll?
Two and I'm looking hard at three teams to fit in the two ranking spots. Naperville Central will again get a lot of consideration along with DeKalb. Neuqua Valley always seems to find a way to reload year in and year out and they also have earned that preseason ranking consideration. I can see the top team getting into the Top 12 range then the second team in the 15-25 range and a third getting into the others. Reminder...I have yet to truly sit down and plan out the Chicagoland Top 30....that will be happening very soon.
Who are the preseason favorites to be the 2020 Dupage Valley Conference MVP?
The DVC is never in short supply when it comes to talent and MVP caliber type of candidates. Naperville Central senior QB Sam Jackson I feel is the top name to watch here. Jackson has the tools to become a major player both in the DVC this fall as well as a state wide MVP candidate. Jackson has several key targets on offense this fall and if he can get time to throw look out here. DeKalb also has a steady and solid performer in senior QB Trenton Kyler. Kyler, who will be a three year varsity starter in 2020 has a terrific arm with touch and just seems to play as consistently well as anyone in the DVC. Nequa Valley senior RB Armani Moreno is another multi-year starter who is in line for a big 2020 senior season. Waubonsie Valley will be seeking some seriously new names to replace a very strong graduated senior group from the 2019 squad, yet senior WR Sean Clinton is a veteran and a key player for Waubonsie this fall. Naperville North as mentioned was young in 2019, and I expect more names to emerge this fall yet junior WR/S Zeke Williams is an explosive playmaker to watch this fall. Metea Valley also has experience back in 2020 and junior WR/S John Flynn just never leaves the field for the Mustangs.
Who has the toughest non conference schedule in the DVC for 2020?
Naperville Central- vs Hinsdale Central/@ LW East/@ Novi (Mich) Cemntral Catholic and then @ East St. Louis in Week 9. Yep nothing easy here again in 2020.
Waubonsie Valley- vs Oswego East/@ St. Charles East/vs NV/vs OFallon Very solid here
Naperville North- vs Benet/@ Glenbard North/@ Centerville Ohio/vs NV- Centeerville Ohio game is interesting here.
Neuqua Valley- @ Oswego/@ WWS/@ WV/@ NN Week 1 is a dandy and all four games are solid
DeKalb- @ Evanston/vs Sycamore @ NIU/@ Belleville West/vs Cahokia Sycamore at NIU is always a big deal.
Metea Valley- vs Geneva/@ Lockport/vs Belleville East/@ Rich Township I see a few potential wins here for the Mustangs.
