Just a junior last year, he was content to learn the ropes from Division I quarterback Owen Daniels, now at the University of Wisconsin. But then a season-ending knee injury in Week Three forced Daniels out of action.

And it forced Horvath into the limelight.

"I was shocked when Owen got hurt," Horvath said. "I wasn't really nervous, though, because I prepared all off-season as if I was going to play.

"My coach always told me I was one play away from being in there."

Mike Lucas, Matt Benson and Ryan Senica were thrust in the unenviable position of having to shore up a severely-depleted defense.

Lucas came in under the most frantic of circumstances. In front of 15,000 fans at North Central College, he replaced Amberson in last year's 31-14 regular-season victory over Naperville North.

"It's one heck of a game to be thrown into, but I wasn't really that nervous," he said. "From game one, I was ready to play. As soon as someone got hurt, I knew I could do it."

Last year's pains have resulted in this year's benefits. That key experience has carried over to this season, allowing the Redhawks to break out to a 6-0 record, clinch their 10th straight playoff appearance and extend their regular-season winning streak to 24 in a row heading into tonight's showdown against Naperville North (4-2, 2-2) at North Central College.

Horvath and Lucas were workout partners during this past off-season, and came into the campaign as two of the more highly-touted players in the area at their respective positions.

Horvath has completed 54 of 91 passes for 1,041 yards, 14 touchdowns and 1 interception. Lucas leads the team in tackles with 49, including 31 solos. He also has 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, a caused fumble and an interception.

They both credit last season's experience with a major leap in ability.

"We talked a lot about how last year helped us both 100 percent," Horvath said. "If last year hadn't happened, I don't know how quickly we would have gotten to this level."

Unfortunately, the injury problems are back this season. Two-year starting tailback Kyle Griffith was probably lost for the season last weekend with a torn ACL in his left knee.

Suddenly, seniors Jason Paquette and Kyle Schueler, juniors Joel Barenbrugge and Dan Passarelli, and even freshman Eric Small are being put into the position so familiar to some of their teammates.

"It gives you a chance to go out and prove yourself to people," Horvath said. "I pulled Joel aside at halftime (last week) and told him this was his time to shine. You just have to go out there and do your best."

Just like last year, Griffith isn't the only one injured. Benson has missed the last few weeks with a tear of the medial collateral ligament in his knee, which will keep him out this weekend and beyond.

In his place, Brady Hester and Dave Atkinson have filled that outside linebacker spot.

As bad as the injury sounds, though, Benson plans to return for the playoffs. But it's still not much solace for missing tonight's game against rival Naperville North.

"I don't want to rush back because I definitely want to be back for the playoffs," Benson said. "With that experience from last year, you've always got that mental edge. I just want to get back out there."

Horvath, Lucas, Benson and Senica were well-prepared last season, but the injury buildup eventually caught up with the Redhawks. Their drive to a second straight Class 6A state title was cut short with a 36-33 quarterfinal loss to, of all teams, Naperville North.

The one positive, however, is that there are plenty of players on this year's team who remember that loss all too well.

For an experienced crew, it's something they don't want to experience again.

"There's two ways you can look at all the injuries," said Redhawks coach Joe Bunge. "One is 'poor me, why me.' The other is that the ship still sails and we're going to be on it. That's the way we look at it."