It is good to see that Scott Powers of ESPN Chicago is ready for the 2010 Illinois High School Prep Season, so are we!  Seems he is more of a hoops guy, we love the Pigskin!

See What Scott Had to say - http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/teams/preps/news/story?id=5454069

Of note is his top ten reasons to be hyped for this year.

1. Maine South hasn't lost a game in two seasons and will be looking to build on its 28-game winning streak and back-to-back state titles.

2. Maine South, the defending Class 8A champs, and Wheaton Warrenville South, the defending 7A champs, meet the second week of the season.

3. Speaking of great games, Joliet Catholic and Montini meet in a rematch of the Class 5A state championship during Week 1. Not a bad way to start the season.

4. The best two wide receivers in the area are teammates. The football gods have blessed Vernon Hills with two amazing receivers in DaVaris DanielsEvan Spencer. Good to luck to all opposing secondaries this season. and

5. Wheaton Warrenville South's Reilly O'Toole, the area's top quarterback, is headed to Illinois. It's always more interesting when the area's top players stay in state, no matter where they're headed. Already, Illinois and Northwestern have a number of in-state 2011 commitments.

6. The area's running backs could be special. It may not be the year of the quarterback like last season, but there is plenty of talent in the backfield. St. Rita's Jahwon Akui and Lake Zurich's Jacob Brinlee, all-area selections, are back. Thornridge's Mikail McCall is headed to Michigan State. Joliet Catholic's Josh Ferguson is committed to Illinois. Downers Grove South's Josh Williams, Carmel's Jordan Kos, Minooka's Kyle Banks, Oak Park's Tony Stapleton, and Schaumburg's Shepard Little are all also returning.

7. The power conferences continue to be powerful. Let the debate continue which is the area's best conference. The DuPage Valley, Catholic League Blue, East Suburban Catholic, North Suburban Lake, Southwest Suburban Blue and West Suburban Silver are all stacked again.

8. The best aren't afraid to compete with the best. Some of the year's best games may occur in the opening weeks of the season thanks to the top teams scheduling each other. Maine South and Wheaton Warrenville South headline the list, but there are plenty of other great games. In Week 1 alone, the matchups include Montini-Joliet Catholic, Fremd-Lake Zurich, Bolingbrook-Downers Grove South, Libertyville-Barrington, Glenbrook South-Minooka, Wheaton Warrenville South-Hinsdale Central, Oak Park-Glenbard North and St. Charles East-Carmel.

9. Friday night football. Yes, this is very general and could be said for every season, but there's nothing like two of the area's best teams going after each other for four quarters in front of a packed stadium on a Friday night.

10. The unknown. Who could have expected Montini to win a state championship last season after almost not reaching the playoffs at all? Who could have predicted Marist would reach the Class 8A title game? Many unexpected events will happen this season, and I can't wait to find out what they are.

Scott Powers covers high school and college sports for ESPNChicago.com