Johnsburg grad a big target in N. Central offense

North Cental College's football team has won 19 games and at least a share of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin title the past two seasons.

Despite tying for the league title with Illinois Wesleyan last season, an overtime loss to IWU kept North Central out of the NCAA Division III playoffs.

For Johnsburg grad Kyle Fiedorowicz, a senior tight end for the Cardinals, being left out of the NCAA field is not something he wants to repeat.

"It was a little disappointing," Fiedorowicz said. "We think we're just as good as any team in D-III."

The Cardinals hope to prove that this season with Fiedorowicz among six returning all-conference players. 

North Central is ranked in the top 16 in four preseason polls and was chosen earlier this month to win at least a share of its fifth consecutive CCIW title by the league's coaches, garnering six of the eight first-place votes. The Cardinals open the season Sept. 4 at Cornell College in Iowa.

The 6-foot-7 Fiedorowicz was a big part of the offense last season, catching six touchdowns as the Cardinals rolled up a school-record 490 points.

"We're a really good passing offense, and that just opens up the running game," Fiedorowicz said. 

Getting back to the playoffs is a major goal for the Cardinals, but the team does not want to stop there.

"We want to win a national championship," Fiedorowicz said.

To do that, Fiedorowicz expects an even bigger role in the offense.

"Maybe 10 touchdowns," said Fiedorowicz, who was named a second-team All-American by the Lindy's preseason magazine. That'd be a touchdown a game. That would be good."

D-III soccer rankings: Rock Island's Augustana College is ranked ninth in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's D-III women's preseason poll.

Augustana, which posted a school-record 20 wins last season, is the highest-ranked team from the CCIW.

Jacobs grad April Kathe, a sophomore back, is one of 20 returning letterwinners for the Vikings, who went 7-0 in conference last season.

Illinois Wesleyan is ranked 24th in the preseason poll of the nation's coaches.

IWU's roster includes standout junior midfielder Lauren Knaack, a McHenry West grad. Knaack is a two-time All-CCIW player who was named last season to the NSCAA All-Central Region third team. Jacobs grad Kelsey Quitschau is a freshman midfielder for the Titans.

Barry Bottino writes a weekly column and a blog about local college athletes for the Northwest Herald. Write to him at BarryOnCampus@hotmail.com and check out his On Campus column every Saturday in the Northwest Herald sports section.