Team Preview: Woodstock North

EDGYTIM.com previews the 2017 Woodstock North Thunder here. For more in depth preseason coverage including state wide team coverage along with daily recruiting news and updates, make sure to subscribe to the EDGY Nation today.

School: Woodstock North

Mascot: Thunder

Conference: Kishwaukee River Conference

Team Twitter:

Head Coach: Jeff Schroeder

Assistant Coaches: Chris Jackowiak - DC, John Fredericks, Matt Polnow

2016 results: 6-4 (3-3 Kishwaukee River Conference). The Thunder made the 5A state playoff field and lost to Rich Central in opening round action.

2017 Woodstock North Thunder schedule

Westosha Central (WI)

@ Antioch

@ Harvard

Marengo

Richmond

Johnsburg

@ Burlington Central

@ Woodstock

@ Rock Falls

Returning Offensive Starters

Collin Mergl QB 6'5 190 2018

Dylan Martinez OL 6'2 270 2018

Brian Kline OL 5'9 190 2018

Trevor Stinger OL 6' 215 2018

Nicco Mazzanti RB 5'8 165 2018

Joe Grover RB/ WR 6' 2 175 2018

Returning Defensive Starters

Collin Mergl OLB

Dylan Martinez DL

Jake Miceli OLB 5'10 170 2018

Nicco Mazzanti FS

Trevor Stinger LB

Joe Grover DB

Newcomers to Watch

Chris Flores OL/LB 5'9 230 2018

Derek Freeman OL/DL 6'3 260 2019

2017 Woodstock North Thunder summer Camp/7on7 plans

Hosting our own on July 11/18 Richmond Burton on Saturday the 22nd

Top Impact Player for Woodstock North in 2017? Senior QB Collin Mergl has been a multi-year starter for the Thunder. Mergl will also play outside linebacker this season and will provide leadership on and off the field for Woodstock North in 2017.

Biggest Concern heading into 2017? Overall depth and number. The Thunder, like most programs in the State of Illinois these days has been dealing with decreased overall numbers at all levels of football. While the Thunder has talent they will also need to develop some much needed depth to make a run in 5A this fall.

EDGYTIM's Way Too Early Take on the 2017 Woodstock North Thunder?

Veteran head coach Jeff Schroeder always seems to find a way of getting his teams to compete. The Thunder are looking to make back to back state playoff appearances in 2017. Wood Stock North welcomes back a good core of experienced starters but as I mentioned above overall numbers and depth will be an issue this fall. If the Thunder can catch a few breaks (including avoiding the injury bug) look for them to again challenge in the Kishwaukee River Conference and beyond.

EDGYTIM's Way Too Early regular season record prediction for the Woodstock North Thunder? 6-3/5-4