Wondering what's coming up? So am I

This started out as a lament over the loss of so many great players from last year. I started listing them - Blaine Schmitt, Heath Nickles, Briggs Orsbon, Zac Dysert and Todd Ruggley.
And something hit me like an angry linebacker out for blood.
Man, the Northwest Conference was good.
It happens every year in high school football. The established stars leave a seemingly gaping void in their absence, and fans rush to the Internet message boards to see what's coming back. It's built into the game - here today, gone tomorrow.
I would hazard to say, though, the NWC had never seen a collection of talent like it saw last year. Actually, it would be hard to imagine that much talent populating any small-school conference at one time.
Well, except the Midwest Athletic Conference, but I'll save you from another "the MAC is best" column. Even though they've proven they are.
Anyways.
Take Schmitt. The former standout running back at Allen East amassed more than 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. If you add 6 inches to his height, the Division I college recruiters would have been beating a path to Lafayette.
Ruggley was a recent addition to the NWC talent, having transferring to Lima Central Catholic from Bath before his senior season. He rushed for 928 yards and 13 TDs for the Thunderbirds.
Nickles waited for three years, through nagging injuries, to get his chance to put his name in the annals of Columbus Grove football. He did just that, with 1,406 yards and 11 TDs, and he moved on to the Ohio State University as a track athlete.
And we know all about Orsbon and Dysert, Division I college football players at Ball State and Miami of Ohio, respectively.
So, what's next?
Who knows. I haven't been keeping a close eye on those Internet experts.
But there was a time before Dysert, Orsbon and Schmitt. Columbus Grove seems to churn out running backs like it's the city's leading export. And never underestimate Jerry Cooper and LCC.
One thing is for sure, though - someone is bound to pop up in the NWC and surprise us. Someone will fill that void.
My focus is on Western Buckeye League standouts Logan Kaufman, of Ottawa-Glandorf, and Brandon Stephenson, of Shawnee. Those two should put up quite a battle for The Lima News rushing leader, and their meeting in Week 10 is sure to pack plenty of meaning.
It will also be interesting to see how life AD (After Dysert) shapes up in Ada. The sky isn't falling, yet, with junior Mitchell Faine stepping in. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Faine was last seen pressed into action when Dysert went down with a broken finger last year. He threw for 684 yards and a pair of TDs, while rushing for 215 yards and three scores.
I'm also interested to see how once-proud programs Bath, Elida and Lima Senior progress in their relatively early road back to respectability.
And, well, Grove will be Grove.
No matter what happens, though, in 12 months, we'll certainly be lamenting the loss of another great senior class and wondering who's next.