2012 record: 4-5 overall, 2-3 CSL North
2012 playoffs: Didn’t qualify
Last playoff appearance: 1992
Head coach: Mark Egofske, entering his second year
Game to watch: Niles West at Niles North, 1 p.m. Sept. 7.
The schools call this the Skokie Skirmish as the neighborhood rivals vie for supremacy and Niles North tries to avenge last year’s 30-21 loss.
Who made the most of the offseason?
“(Julian Garrett) increased his strength and speed over the offseason,” Vikings coach Mark Egofske said of the junior running back and defensive back. “He worked hard and really picked up his football speed.” Niles North is aiming to have an improved passing game and a big season by Garrett could allow the aerial attack to flourish. “He’s going to help us out a lot,” said JJ Myles, a senior wide receiver and defensive back. “He has the speed to get to the ball and I’ve hardly ever seen him drop it.”
Who will be the difference maker this season?
“JJ has the speed, ability and great football instincts. He’s got ability on both sides of the ball,” Egofske said. Myles also knows how to make clutch plays in big games: He helped lead the Vikings to the Class 4A boys basketball sectional finals in the winter.
What adjustments did the program make during the offseason?
“Our spread offense is tailored to the kids. Every year we fine tune to get better,” Egofske said. The hope is that the deeper playbook will keep defenses guessing, allowing for big plays.
— Mark Perlman
What I did over my summer vacation … Vincent Rodriguez
My mother got a promotion for her job and the ceremony was in Baltimore, so I went out with my sister to support her. We went to the Orioles and Red Sox game. We went to the aquarium and they had a wide selection of species.
— Rodriguez is a senior linebacker and running back
