Upstate Eight River football preview capsule

Updated: March 22, 2011 4:28PM

Upstate Eight River

Outlook: A broken throwing hand will sideline St. Charles North quarterback Jake Bergren for at least four games, but the North Stars appear to have the talent to hold off challenges from Geneva, St. Charles East and Batavia, which returns 14 starters from a 2-7 team.

Top five players Ht. Wt. Yr.

QB Jake Bergren, St. Charles N. 6-1 190 Sr.

RB Jordan Dean, Elgin 5-11 175 Sr.

TE Cole Gardner, Batavia 6-5 250 Jr.

WR Josh Mikes, St. Charles N. 6-3 195 Sr.

DT Brian Wilson, Batavia 6-2 265 Sr.

Quote: ‘‘They're not going to surprise us, but they will surprise a lot of people.'' -St. Charles North coach Mark Gould on his dark-horse pick, Batavia.

Did you know? The Upstate Eight has expanded to 14 teams and split into two divisions with the addition of Batavia, Geneva and first-year program Metea Valley.

Predicted finish: St. Charles North, Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles East, Elgin, Larkin, Streamwood.

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