Perennial playoff qualifier hungry for more in '10

Joe Mizera understands the tradition he and his Lincoln-Way East football teammates are trying to carry on.

The Griffins have the distinction, unique among Illinois high schools, of qualifying for the IHSA football playoffs every year they've fielded a varsity team.

''Every year, we hate to lose,'' said Mizera, a senior offensive lineman. ''It's the worst thing you can ever do.''

Making the playoffs? ''That's what we're supposed to do,'' Mizera said.

The Griffins, ranked 10th in the Chicago Sun-Times preseason Super 25, look poised to extend their postseason run to 10 seasons despite losing such standouts as All-State defensive lineman Austin Copley, …