We're in the process of finishing our football previews and making observations and predictions about all of your favorite local teams. Which brings me to a guy who has probably fielded more calls and e-mails about his rankings than anyone I know.

Matt Ginnetti qualifies as Joliet Catholic Academy's version of Aaron Rodgers. Where the Green Bay quarterback must live with the pressure of replacing future Hall of Famer Brett Favre, Ginnetti takes over for graduated all-stater John Ruettiger with the Hilltoppers.

Dave Bierman's decision to leave as Larkin's varsity football coach to take the same position at Elgin High surely caught many area fans by surprise.

It was a pep assembly in an e-mail. It was a thank you. More than anything else, the words Jim “DiDi” DiGregorio wrote to his Lemont Rockers players before they embarked on their trip to Moline for the Amateur Softball Association Nationals were a challenge.