By Brad Engel
STAFF WRITER

  Betting men pick Naperville Central to win, sometimes with the notion of any place, any time, anywhere.

   In the past two years, Central has won at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, North Central College and even Naperville North. Central has lost one game in the past two years, following its state championship in 1999 with a loss to cross-town rival Naperville North in the state quarterfinals last year at home.

   With senior quarterback Phil Horvath and senior running back Kyle Griffith both returning to an offense that averaged just under 35 points per game, one can bet the Redhawks will challenge everyone again this year.

   "It's pretty much business as usual, I think," Central coach Joe Bunge said. "Not too many unique things."

   For the second year in a row, Bunge has the benefit of returning a top quarterback. After starting quarterback Owen Daniels suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3, Horvath started the next nine games. He finished the season completing 88 of 150 passing attempts for 1,427 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.

   Along with the goals of winning the DuPage Valley Conference and state championship this year, Horvath wants to break Tim Lavery's single-season passing record of 2,417 yards, set in 1995 when Lavery's Redhawks lost to Wheaton Warrenville South in the state finals.

   Horvath has also noticed his defense, which he says has been giving the offense problems during summer camp. Bunge expects senior linebackers Mike Lucas, Nick Ehrlich and Matt Benson to form a solid group. He also said reserve linebacker Bob Lynch, offensive lineman Brendan Baskin, fullback Jason Paquette and defensive back Dave Atkinson have stood out in camp.