Friday was an interesting day for me to say the least......work for me on Friday was a complete madhouse and I was more than fortunate to get out by 6PM (thanks Markie, Joanne and Renee!), but I was able to battle the less than light Friday rush hour traffic and make it to Hinsdale Central with time to spare to witness the Old Oaken Bucket game against Downers Grove North.....and I'm more than glad that I did!

Hinsdale Central? Besides the obviously incredible facilities at Central (I know it's a given) I couldn't of asked to be treated better than the Central folks treated me.......first class all the way....but not in the phony way that some places can be......the Central folks really go out of their way for you....and it's genuine!

Before the game, I was fortunate to met several of the Red Devils parents and supporters.......then I was introduced to Marge and Tom Noble......gee.....Tom Noble....I know that name! Turns out that Noble, a 1937 grad of Chicago Mount Carmel was also the main recruiter for the University of Michigan for many, many years and is the Godfather of Hinsdale Central's fine S Rob Anderson. In the short 20 to 30 minutes or so of conversation, I learned so much from this legend......from the fact that Noble sent 88 Chicago area players onto U of M to comparing notes on the game and recruiting today versus the good old days....Noble is literally a walking and talking High School football history book! As Noble put in his own unique style "It was a pleasure for you to meet me!" Yes indeed Mr and Mrs Noble.......my pleasure indeed! Remember all, you might get mad at the "older folks" from time to time (grocery lines and driving come immediately to mind!) but we all can learn so much from the stories and experiences of those who came before us! Respect your elders!

Now.......back to the field!

Hinsdale Central has a really solid team again this year......but like years past I remained somewhat leery, so I needed to see for myself. The offense is again solid. Junior QB Brad Bower (6'2" 195) is more than worthy of all of the preseason hype......Bower is mobile, has a very strong and accurate arm and will be one of the Top returning signal callers for the Class of 2003.....but if your looking for BIG passing numbers.....the Red Devils has several reason as to why the passing game will be a mix of run and pass.

The Central backfield is again quality. Junior RB Brian Grzelakowski (5'11" 190) has size, strength and speed.....also senior FB Max Tornatore (6'1" 212) is a load to bring down and is also......solid. The Red Devils O line is a good one as well.....Junior OT Pat McGrath (6'3" 300) and senior OT Dan Weisseg (6'4' 235) are joined by senior Pat Timson (6'2" 205) Ryan Altice (6'1" 240) and Dane Kriks (6'0" 225).....the Red Devils will mix things up but look for them to rely heavily on the ground game.

The defense? The Red Devils have some seriously good and talented kids throughout.....ILB Pat Kelley (6'2" 225) has added weight yet retained his overall impressive speed from last season as a DB, and look for his recruiting stock to rise this season.....also S Rob Anderson (6'1" 205) continues to impress with his overall athleticism and abilities.....Anderson plays the saftey position extremely well. The defensive line (seniors Dan Sarther/Greg Pace and Nick Lunon) also played well against the DGN option attack and caused havoc all night long!

Overall? This team is worthy of it's newly accquired EDGY 25 ranking......and should battle all in the West Sub Silver.

Downers Grove North you ask? Make no mistake about it.....0-3 is 0-3 and head coach Pete Ventrelli hand staff have their work cut out......but I can hardly remember a team as good as this one COULD be at an 0-3 start.......honestly I wouldn't be shocked to see the Trojans fire off 4-5 wins in a row and make the expanded playoff field when the 2001 season is all said and done.

The offense is still option oriented at North, and while it took a half of football for the Trojans to get things together, the second half against Central proved that their is some life here. QB Jim Sharwarko (6'0" 180) can and will run the option attack pretty well......once Sharwarko was able to turn the corner good things happened.....the backfield with FB/DL Erryn Conn (6'2" 230) and a mix of RB's can be really effective.....and senior Anthony Staple (5'8" 155) makes for an interesting switch between his style and the Bull in a China shop style of Cobb. The O line isn't really large.....but in the DGN offense they really don't need to be BIG.....just quick.

The defense? What can you really say about Erryn Cobb except that here is one great player......on the D line Cobb just beats people with his strength and speed......I can easily see this kid playing D-1 football somewhere.....and the tackle that Cobb made on the goalline on 4th and 1 to stop a Central drive was classic BIG play stuff.....Cobb is a Big Play kind of kid. The linebackers are young but good, and both junior Craig Lewis (6'2" 218) and sophomore Tom Edwards (5'11" 175) have serious potential. The secondary is solid as well, with senior Lamont Woods (6'2" 180) looking like a recruiting sleeper here....the kid has all the tools. Junior S Grant Kramer (6'3" 180) is also another name to keep an eye out for!

Overall? Again.....0-3 is a tough hole to climb out of.......but if anyone can do it.....it could very well be this team!

Sure.....I went to the Walther Lutheran/Chicago Christian game...and had a BALL! Sure.....the field isn't fancy.....but everything else is basically the same as a 7A/8A game......if not better! My purpose in seeing a 2A game? Simple.....I'm a fan and really wanted to see how good Walther really is......and I wasn't disappointed. QB Bo Flowers you ask? The kid is everything he's suppose to be and a bag of chips.......on offense he has the patience, the maturity well beyond his years....and flat out God given athletic ability. He has touch and strength on every pass......has the feel for pressure coming, and once in the open field......gone! But what is the most misleading fact on Walther Lutheran is that they are basically a one-man team.......they are NOT! RB Tony Stanton leads a DEEP and talented group in the backfield and the skills are as good as many Class 4a-5a teams and above! The WL line play is impressive as well, good size for a 4A-5A school....and for a 2A school? Wow! Keep an eye on junior OL/DL Floyd Turner (6'4" 245) who is a monster player.......and Chicago Christian? A school that was able to hang well for the first half, but then the second half was another story.......I saw this team in the Summer and they looked good......and expect CC to bounce back and make the playoffs again in 2001!

So how different are games at the 2A level? Not really different at all......the excitement, the fans, the food......whoa.....the food at Walther Lutheran rocks! Overall I really enjoyed my day away from the Bigger Boys......and if you get the chance you might want to go see Walther Lutheran this season.......this IS a good team folks......and don't be shocked to see this team break into the EDGY Chicagoland 25 poll sometime soon! It's just good football over in Melrose Park over bye dere!

Thinking about a few games......like Sandburg at LW Central.....check the Remember Devin Board (formerly the Football Board) later this week!

I will need to change the EDGY logo for various reasons SOON......above is an example of what I'm shooting for....the I in Tim will be cleaned up......post your thoughts on the Remember Devin Football Forum today!