Jake Kolbe, quarterback...

...for Naperville Central, just committed to Illinois State. Congrats to him and the Redbirds!

I didn't see Kolbe or Central play last year; the Redhawks went a disappointing 4-5 after making it to the semifinals in 2011. (They lost a heartbreaker that year to the eventual champs, Bolingbrook, 22-19. I know; I was there.)

So do you want to see the 6'2", 170-pound Kolbe play this year? Me too. Looks like we'll have plenty of opportunities from the looks of the schedule (last year's records in parentheses):

Aug. 30 Waubonsie Valley (10-2)

Sept. 6 Neuqua Valley (12-1)
Sept. 13 Lake Park (4-5)
Sept. 20 Glenbard East (1-8)
Sept. 27 @ West Aurora (3-6)

Oct. 4 @ Wheaton Warrenville South (4-5)
Oct. 11 Glenbard North (12-2)
Oct. 18 @ Wheaton North (10-2)
Oct. 25 Naperville North (5-5), at North Central College

Now, I know what you're thinking: the Redhawks have to open up against Waubonsie and Neuqua? Yikes!

But wait; the Warriors graduated star running back Austin Guido (Western Michigan) and the Wildcats graduated two stars from their 2012 squad, quarterback Dylan Andrew (St. Thomas) and running back Joey Rhattigan (Princeton). Neuqua still has wide receiver, Mikey Dudek, who's already committed to Illinois. But do the Wildcats have anyone who can throw to him? Does either team have a running back who can fill Guido's or Rhattigan's outsized shoes? I don't know.

If Central can beat one of these two teams at home, they would then face four schools with losing records last year. Now, don't kid yourself: Wheaton Warrenville South had an off year last season and coach Ron Muhitch will no doubt have his Tigers back on the winning track in 2013.

But, at this point in the season, I would guess the Redhawks could be a very respectable 4-2.

Then comes Justin Jackson and Glenbard North, and Clayton Thorson and Wheaton North. Uh-oh. Okay, now Central is 4-4.

So might the 2013 season all come down to the last game against the Redhawk's cross-town rival, Naperville North? Here are the results from the last five years:

2012: North 26, Central 23
2011: Central 36, North 26
2010: North 27, Central 24
2009: Central 24, North 21
2008: North 35, Central 21

I'd say it's Central's turn to win. But who knows? That's why they play the game. (And I just might be there.)