CN100 Game of the Week preview: Football - Crystal Lake South vs. Marian Central Catholic

WOODSTOCK – The 2012 season kicks off with a pair of McHenry County powerhouses which were both knocked off in the state quarterfinals a year ago and each feature Division I talent.

The best of them all is Marian Central senior quarterback Chris Streveler. The area’s player of the year as a junior, Streveler threw for more than 2,500 yards and topped 1,000 yards rushing before accepting a scholarship offer to Minnesota.

Massive Kurtis Stirneman (6-foot-6, 275 pounds) committed to Western Michigan and will be the one protecting Steveler’s blind side all season.

“I am looking for big things from these two, but we are young around them,” legendary coach Ed Brucker said.

Crystal Lake South coach Chuck Ahsmann is certainly impressed with what he’s seen in preparing for the game.

“Our opponent is very good,” Ahsmann said. “Marian Central is a perennial playoff team and always competes at the top of their conference. They have a D-I quarterback that is very good at throwing and running the ball. We will have our hands full in Week 1.”

CN100, The Comcast Network, will air the game at Noon and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25, and at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 27. The game will also be available throughout Chicagoland with Xfinity On Demand. Be sure to tune in to see Edgy Tim offer his “Keys to the Game." Check out his website at edgytim.com.

Brucker has coached high school football has more than 40 years of experience as he begins his 10th season at Marian. In his time in Woodstock, Brucker has compiled a 75-27 record, missing the playoffs only twice and finishing second in Class 5A in 2006.

“Ed Brucker will likely be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Ahsmann said.

Ahsmann is not off to a bad start as a head coach himself, going 21-3 in his first two seasons at the helm. Last season, the Gators went 10-2, finished second in the Fox Valley Conference at 5-1 and lost in the Class 6A quarterfinals to Rockford Boylan.

“South has been a powerhouse for a long time and we know that we will have to play our best to stay with them,” Brucker said.

The Gators are paced by some massive bodies on both sides of the ball. Toledo recruit Boston Mathews (6-foot-3, 265 pounds) anchors the offensive line. Defensive end Nick Amren and linebacker Brendan Chrystal, who are both getting FCS recruiting looks, lead the defensive side.

- Paul Johnson, CN100 Correspondent

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