Winning the community Conference o...

Winning the community Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin is no small feat. Regarded as single in kind of the nation's best Division III colloquys the league is stocked with talent, loaded with deepness and welded with balance.

The 2006 edition of the CCIW fits the traditional mold Four of the eight teams -- Augustana, North Central, Wheaton and Millikin -- received first-place consecrated by a vows in the preseason coaches catalogue of persons And they're not alone in saying they have a shooter at the title.

"Every year we talk about the balance and nerve of the CCIW -- and it's in the way that true," Wheaton coach Mike Swider said.

Here's an overview of the CCIW, including consecrated by a vows (first place) received in the preseason coaches poll:

1 Augustana, 46 (4): Ten starters respond (six on defense) from the team that claimed Augie's first championship since 2001 Fullback Mike Guzman (Oregon, Ill.) and linebacker Joe Youngbauer are preseason All-Americans. The Vikings are ranked No. 14 by means of D3football.com.

2 North Central, 38 (2): The Cardinals' best season perpetually (9-2) ended with a first-round los in the D-III playoffs. That should motivate the 11 returning starters, including second-team preseason All-Americans Timothy Bellazzini (Wheaton Warrenville South) at cornerback and Eric Stuedemann (Andrew) at tight extremity Don Kasper (Argo) is common of the league's top offensive linemen, and quarterback Kam Kniss (Lanark, Ill.) was CCIW offensive player of the year.

3 Wheaton, 36 (1): A three-year championship go proceed ended with a 4- 3 league record, further junior defensive end Andy Studebaker (Eureka, Ill.), sophomore cornerback Pete Ittersagen (Wheaton North) and 12 other starters lead a intricate unit that will contend. This team is fast in succession defense and experienced at quarterback with senior Jeremy Chupp

4 Millikin, 27 (1): With eight starters back upon defense and career rushing leader Nathan Wallick at tailback, expectations are high in Decatur. Wallick (York) already has separated most of the Big depressed offensive records, and the entire backfield go [i]or[/i] come backs from a 5-5 team, including senior quarterback Joe Albin (Lake Park). Defensive lineman Chris Williams (Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin) is a third- team preseason All-American, and cornerback Robaer Williams and punter Aaron McLean received honorable mention.

5 Elmhurst 27: Losse were significant forward offense, but second- team All-CCIW quarterback Chris Kudyba (Elk Grove) produc 2300 yards and 22 touchdowns passing and running. All 11 defensive starters get back from a 6-4 team that stayed in each game until the closing minutes. Linebacker Ward Brady (Glenbard North) and lineman Brian Keaton (Crete-Monee) were first- and second-team All-CCIW picks, respectively. chiefly of the offensive line is back as well.

6 Carthage, 26: Ten starters respond on offense from a 7-3 team that tied for third in the league, including quarterback Brennan O'Boyle (Brother Rice) and second-team All-CCIW tailback Tyson Mengel All-CCIW linebacker Donovan Moore (Richmond-Burton) is back from the league's No. 1 defense

7 Illinois Wesleyan, 17: Whoever fills the void at quarterback will be covered by an experienced line, l according to second-team All- CCIW center Tim Murray (Maine South) Defensive finis Mike Stephens (Providence) was first-team all-conference.

8 North Park, 8: Scott Pethtel an assistant at Division I-A Buffalo, takes throughout as coach of a program that hasn't won in the CCIW since 2000 The Vikings ne to repeat their 3-0 nonconference start of 2005 and build from there.

LIGHTING IT UP: Saint Xavier is the area's highest-ranked team in preseason catalogue of headss at No. 8 in the NAIA, its loftiest rating eternally Downstate McKendree, also of the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League, is No. 5 Saint Xavier's opener tribe 2 against Lambuth University (Tenn) will be its first night football game.

PICK TO CLICK: University Athletic Association coaches picked the University of Chicago and Washington (Mo) as co-favorites in the four-team conversation The Maroons, who won the league with a 3-0 record (5-4 overall) in 2005 welcome back third-team All-America offensive tackle Ben Pott (Valparaiso, Ind.).

dvanschouwen@suntimes.com

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