Kaneland just finished running through its third consecutive undefeated regular season. It also is the third consecutive season the Knights have won the Northern Illinois Big 12 Conference East title. After losing to Montini in the IHSA Class 5A semifinals last season, Kaneland hopes to get over the hump and make a trip to Champaign in 2012.

The top-seeded Knights open up playoff competition against No. 16 Belvidere at 7 p.m. today. The Knights came close to a state championship appearance the past two seasons.

Here are five reasons 2012 is Kaneland’s best shot at a state title: