Michael O'Brien's preseason Super 25 high school football rankings
Mount Carmel may be the most talented team the Chicago area has ever seen, but that doesn’t mean it will be the best. Caravan coach Jordan Lynch is very aware of the distinction. Having eight players who will eventually play major college football does not guarantee success.
“It’s great to have all this talent,” Lynch said. “We show flashes of being really special. But it doesn’t mean we are going to run the table and win state. Some of the best Mount Carmel teams have not been the most talented teams. And some of the most talented teams have not won state.”
Mount Carmel’s ability to assemble high-level talent is noteworthy. And it doesn’t happen by accident.
“Our players are our best recruiters,” Lynch said. “Other kids hear how great it is here and that we are doing things the right way. People shy away from that recruiting word. Everyone in this building is recruited, whether you play sports or not you are recruited here. We don’t necessarily want the best kids or the most talented kids. We want the right fit for the program. That’s what we have done and are most proud of. These are great kids with great families and are doing things the right way.”
1. Mount Carmel
The defensive line is huge and there is all kinds of speed in the defensive backfield and the receiver corps. Senior Emmett Dowling’s capability at quarterback will be the key thing to watch early. He says he is ready.
“You start learning the playbook your freshman year,” Dowling. “By the time you get to varsity you know every single thing. At game time you know exactly where you are going with the ball, every single play.”
2. Loyola
The Ramblers are rebuilding after three consecutive Class 8A championships. Can Beau Desherow and his star-studded coaching staff turn the talented sophomores into star varsity players? Quarterback Matthew Lee and receiver Jordan McKinley, both sophomores, already have college scholarship offers. Loyola always builds a solid defense and returning starters Kai Calcutt, Nick Richter and Gavin King provide a good leadership base on that side of the ball.
3. Lincoln-Way East
Griffins coach Rob Zvonar says that USC-bound quarterback Jonas Williams is his Michael Jordan. Williams is the early favorite for Player of the Year honors and has a talented receiving corps at his disposal, led by Blaise LaVista (Washington) and Jayden Cawthon. The defensive line, led by Illinois recruit Jacob Alexander, is a strength.
Read more on Lincoln-Way East.
4. Maine South
Eight starters return on defense for the Hawks and they have a star quarterback in junior Jameson Purcell (Indiana). Running back Niko Kokosioulis is poised for a breakout season. The opening four games (Lincoln-Way East, Warren, Palatine, Barrington) will be a massive test.
5. Downers Grove North
The Trojans’ trio of Big Ten recruits want a 7A title after falling short the last two seasons. Quarterback Owen Lansu (Minnesota), lineman Aiden Solecki (Purdue) and tight end/defensive end Will Vala (Illinois) are one of the most experienced groups in the state and the overall program has taken a huge step forward the last several years.
Read more on Downers Grove North.
6. Batavia
Linebacker Nick Jansey and defensive back Andrew Culotta return to lead a talented young defense but the Bulldogs plan to score a lot of points this season. Junior quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren is a burgeoning star. Top receiver Brett Berggren is back and coach Dennis Piron has high expectations for junior running back Charlie Rosengren, who will benefit from a strong offensive line led by Tucker Saam and Ryan Myers.
7. Nazareth
About a dozen returning starters will help the Roadrunners replace their terrific graduated senior class. Nazareth has won three consecutive 5A titles and moves up to 6A this season. The offense has a strong core on the lines with Christian Malachuk, Luke Injaychock, Nathan Sefcik and Chris Kasky. Pennsylvania transfer Jackson Failla and senior Frankie Nichols are competing for the quarterback job.
8. Brother Rice
This is a season the Crusaders have been building towards. Quarterback CJ Gray (Army) heads the offense and defensive end King Liggins (Illinois) leads the defense, which has been incredily strong at stopping the run recently. Keep an eye on two highly regarded sophomores, 6-5 tight end Jack McNamara and 6-3 athlete Kameron McGee.
9. York
The Dukes are firmly established as a Class 8A powerhouse. Henry Dude rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season and leading receiver Simon Kodosky returns. They should help senior Dominic Alfano, the new quarterback, get started. Hunter Stepanich, a 6-8, 230-pound Princeton recruit, stars at tight end and defensive end.
10. Fremd
A pair of Northwestern recruits lead the Vikings. Quarterback Johnny O’Brien should make a bid for Player of the Year after a strong junior season and lineman Owen Jakubczak will anchor the trenches. O’Brien’s top target, senior Marquan Brewster (WIU) also returns.
11. Warren
Senior Aaron Stewart (Illinois) was the most dominant running back in the state last season with 2,475 yards and 34 touchdowns in 12 games. Seven returning starters should help the Blue Devils’ defense return to dominance. Senior defensive back Chris McBride leads that group, which has a lot of experience on the line.
12. Marist
The RedHawks are inexperienced at some of the offensive skill positions and on defense, but everything starts with a dominant offensive line and that is set. Rico Schrieber (Purdue), Danzel Newell (New Mexico) and senior Dan Mahoney are large and experienced.
13. Cary-Grove
Fullback/linebacker Logan Abrams is healthy and will be one of the area’s top players. The Trojans’ triple-option offense has consistently been one of the state’s best over the past several seasons. Experienced linemen Jack Hissong and Andrew Bolf return.
14. St. Rita
The Mustangs have experienced, talented leaders on both sides of the ball in quarterback Steven Armbruster and linebacker Owen Lynch. Coach Martin Hopkins has succeeded with a young group the past two years and has 13 starters returning, including running back Brandon Johnson.
15. St. Charles North
Seventeen starters return from last season’s team that won the DuKane and finished 9-2. Receiver Keaton Reinke (Northwestern) is a difference-maker on offense and leading tackler Daniel Escaro, a defensive back, will help anchor the defense.
16. Hersey
New quarterback Jake Nawrot emerged as a college prospect this summer. The 6-4 junior has offers from Purdue, Miami-Ohio and Toledo. Speedy running back/defensive back Brandon Jenkins (Ohio University) scored 17 touchdowns last season.
17. Palatine
Linemen Tony Balanganayi (Illinois) and Evan Downer (Ball State) will help pave the way for rugged, experienced quarterback Will Santiago (St. Thomas). The receiver position is strong, led by Kole Fager (Princeton). The Pirates have qualified for the playoffs the last four seasons but suffered disappointing firs-round losses the past two seasons.
18. St. Francis
The Spartans will rely on an experienced defense led by lineman Jaylen Torres. The offense has standout talents in receivers Zach Washington (Michigan State) and Dario Milivojevic and lineman Brady Hill (San Diego State).
19. Richards
Fourteen starters return from a Class 6A semifinalist, including quarterback Noah Escobedo. Offensive lineman Josh Valenzuela and defensive backs Ahmad Buchanan and Jaiden Henry have college offers.
20. Prairie Ridge
Luke Vanderwiel missed the second half of last season, but he showed in the first half that he could be the Wolves’ next great triple-option quarterback. He’s fast and elusive and rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns in about six full games.
21. Montini
Junior quarterback Israel Abrams was a breakout star this summer. He has offers from Michigan State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Mississippi and many more colleges. The defending Class 3A state champions will be up in 4A and return just two starters on defense.
22. Fenwick
Quarterback Jamen Williams is back and healthy after missing last season’s playoff run. Senior safety Tommy Thies (Miami-Ohio) and his brother Jake, a junior, return in the defensive backfield with promising junior Josh Morgan. Noah Sur (Northwestern) is one of the state’s best kickers.
23. Joliet Catholic
There is lot for the Hilltoppers to replace from a squad that reached the Class 5A title game last season, but that usually isn’t an issue for one of the state’s powerhouses. Quarterback Lucas Simulick returns and lineman Ian Campbell (Navy) will lead the defense.
24. Glenbard West
One of the area’s proudest programs didn’t qualify for the playoffs last season, but the Hilltoppers should turn things around this year. Linebacker Max Hetlet and defensive end Jayden Daniel lead an experienced defense with good speed. Quarterback AJ Rayford transferred from Providence and joins all-conference running back Jamarcus Kelly and 6-4 tight end Brady Johnson on offense.
25. Crete-Monee
Expect the Warriors to be explosive behind the super-productive duo of quarterback Derrin Couch (2,082 passing yards, 41 TDs) and receiver Dorian Patterson (980 yards, 21 TDs).