The Eau Claire Crush may be all well and good, but were they undefeated last season? How about league champions? No, that title’s currently held by the Chippewa Valley Predators, and they don’t seem to be ready to give it up anytime soon. Expect the Preds to hit hard right out of the gate this season to show the Northern Elite Football League what it’ll take to be top dog. Their first opponent this season will be the Menomonie Thunderhawks, back for their second year in the Northern Power Football League where they face such threatening opponents as the Duluth-Superior Shoremen and the Minnesota Sting. After their inter-valley clash with the Preds at Carson Park on April 24, I bet the Thunderhawks will be able to handle some fishermen and bees.