McHenry Times

After the first seven games of the season, the Woodstock North football team was on a path to a familiar place: the postseason.

The Thunder, who haven't been to the playoffs since 2012, went 5-3 to start the season for their most wins in a year since that season.

“I think the key has been running a system you believe in and working hard with the kids in the offseason,” Thunder head coach Jeff Schroeder told the  McHenry Times.

Woodstock North went to the playoffs in back-to-back years in 2011 and 2012, going 7-3 and 7-4, respectively. However, after that 2012 season – which included a playoff win – the Thunder sustained heavy losses in personnel to graduation. Woodstock North went 1-8 in 2013, although three of the losses were by seven points or less, according to MaxPreps.com.

The following season, in 2014, the Thunder made strides upward, outscoring the opposition 242-237 over the course of the season and having a 4-3 record at one point before ending at 4-5. The 2015 edition of the Thunder started 3-0 before ending 4-5 and again outscored the opposition, this time 244-192.

This season, Woodstock North bolted to a 4-0 start – including a win over Marengo – and had a 243-151 advantage in points over the opposition in the first seven games. The Thunder outscored their first three opponents 155-7. Woodstock North's only two losses through the first seven games were to Richmond-Burton and Johnsburg, who had a combined record of 12-2 at that point.

Before the season, Schroeder told the McHenry Times that the team had 11 players with starting experience – including seven on offense – back this season, and that has proven to be a key for this season's results.

“I think our strength this season is our experience,” Schroeder said. “We have several starters returning so that has helped us to work through some of our adversity.“

Indeed, three of the Thunder's offensive leaders are seniors.

Through the first seven games, according to statistics from Schroeder, senior quarterback Matt Zinnen was 17-of-43 passing, for 363 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. Zinnen also had 70 carries for 379 yards and five touchdowns. Senior running back Casey Dycus had 122 carries for 829 yards – an average of 6.7 yards per carry – with 12 touchdowns.

Other offensive statistical leaders for Woodstock North included junior Collin Mergl, who had 44 carries for 679 yards – 15.4 yards per carry – and eight touchdowns, and junior Joe Grover, who had five catches for 204 yards – or 40.8 yards per catch – and three touchdowns.

This season also marked the Thunder's first season in the new Kishwaukee River Conference, which brought together programs of similar size. Schroeder said the move to the new league has gone well.

“Many great programs to contend with each week, but it's a fair playing field from the standpoint that most rosters are about the same size, so that helps some,” Schroeder said.