NWH Prep Football_082318

Thursday, August 23, 2018 Clockwise from top left: Crystal Lake South’s Trevor Keegan, Marian Central’s Thor Paglialong, Crystal Lake South’s Dom Collado and Cary-Grove’s Addison West are among the area’s top offensive linemen.

Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

NORTHWEST HERALD PREP

FOOTBALL 2018

Cover story:

College coaches flock to area to recruit offensive linemen / Page 3 Also in this issue:

Five to Watch, conference and team previews, staff predictions, rosters and more

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

PREP FOOTBALL 2018

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IN THIS ISSUE

5

Cover story • The area’s history of producing Division I college offensive linemen continues. / PAGE 3

Great expectations • First-year Richmond-Burton coach Mike Noll is looking for big things out of senior running back and linebacker Mike Kaufman. / PAGE 6

to Watch

Take 2 • Northwest Herald sports writer Joe Stevenson and sports editor Kyle Nabors look at which teams are likely to make this year’s playoffs and how far they are likely to go. / PAGE 7

Fox Valley Conference • Overview / PAGE 9 • Prairie Ridge / PAGE 10 • Cary-Grove / PAGE 11 • Crystal Lake Central / PAGE 12 • Crystal Lake South / PAGE 12 • Huntley / PAGE 14 • Jacobs / PAGE 14 • McHenry / PAGE 15 • Hampshire / PAGE 15 • Dundee-Crown / PAGE 16

Crystal ball • Preseason All-Area team; predictions / PAGE 16

Kishwaukee River Conference

This season’s Five to Watch: (Clockwise from top), Richmond-Burton’s Mike Kaufman, Crystal Lake South’s Trevor Keegan, Cary-Grove’s Danny Daigle, Prairie Ridge’s Jackson Willis and Dundee-Crown’s Ricky Ibarra. Pages 17-21

• Johnsburg / PAGE 25 • Richmond-Burton / PAGE 25 • Marengo / PAGE 26 • Harvard / PAGE 26

East Suburban Catholic Conference • Overview / PAGE 29 • Marian Central / PAGE 29

• Overview / PAGE 22

• Burlington Central / PAGE 28

• Woodstock / PAGE 23

Illinois 8-Man Football Association

Rosters

• Woodstock North / PAGE 23

• Alden-Hebron / PAGE 28

• Rosters for all of the area’s teams / PAGE 30

WEBCASTS: Visit NWHerald.com to hear Jimmy Musial and Paul Chivari call the Northwest Herald Game of the Week.

3 PREP FOOTBALL 2018 Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018 Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

From left: Cary-Grove’s Addison West, Crystal Lake South’s Dom Collado, Marian Central’s Thor Paglialong and Crystal Lake South’s Trevor Keegan are keeping the area’s tradition of talented offensive linemen alive and well.

Hog heaven

By JOE STEVENSON joestevenson@shawmedia.com

Division I football coaches find hotbed of offensive line talent in area

T

he list of NCAA Division I schools that have offered football scholarships to Crystal Lake South junior Dominic Collado stands at three and likely will grow throughout this school year.

Collado, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound guard, can thank his father, Damien, for his stature. He can thank the coaches, such as former D-I lineman Steve Spoden, who have helped develop him.

He should give himself credit for developing his skills and strength.

And he also can be grateful for a lengthy list of talented linemen who have come through the McHenry County area over the past 15 years.

College coaches have recognized for a

At offensive line, the No. 1 determining factor is that height, that length, that size, and we’ve been really fortunate around here to have so many big kids.”

Brad Seaburg, Cary-Grove football coach

while now that the area is a hotbed for offensive linemen.

“The biggest thing is, from a recruiting standpoint, when these schools come down to look at other

guys, they notice me eventually,” Collado said. “When I was a freshman, there were so many Division I linemen in the (Fox Valley) conference, (Crystal Lake Central’s) Wyatt (Blake) and those guys. I already worked out with them. They helped me out in knowing what to expect in skill level in the conference and stuff. It’s a gift.”

One that keeps on giving.

The Northwest Herald All-Area team had Prairie Ridge’s Shane Evans (Northern Illinois, now Purdue) on the 2013 first team. In 2014, Cary-Grove’s Trevor Ruhland (Notre Dame) was on the first team.

Hampshire’s Matt Kielbasa (Western Illinois), Richmond-Burton’s Dal-

ton Wagner (Arkansas) and Prairie Ridge’s Jeff Jenkins (Iowa) were on the 2015 first team.

Jenkins and Wagner were joined on the All-Area team by Blake (Northwestern), Johnsburg’s Joe Moore (Air Force) and Jacobs’ Jimmy Wormsley (Southern Illinois) in 2016, and Jenkins, Blake and Wormsley were selected last year with Crystal Lake South’s Trevor Keegan and C-G’s Addison West, both current seniors.

C-G’s Brett Groves was an All-Area first-team pick on defense last year, but will play on the offensive line at SIU with Wormsley.

See HOG HEAVEN, page 4

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

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• HOG HEAVEN Continued from page 3 “We’ve been really fortunate to get these big-sized kids pumping through our conference,” South coach Rob Fontana said. “Dom started working out with Trevor (Keegan) right away when he came in. [Collado] has grown with a bunch of different guys. Dom’s a football junkie. He’s going to try and perfect his craft with everybody.”

Keegan (6-6, 310) is one of the most highly sought players in the state. He pared his list from more than 25 offers to six this summer: Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State. Keegan is leaning toward committing after the season at this point.

Keegan remembers some of his first South games and watching linemen Jake Bernstein and Fahn Cooper, who both played in the Southeastern Conference. Bernstein played at Vanderbilt and tried out with the Arizona Cardinals; Cooper was at Mississippi and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers.

“That was really awesome,” Keegan said. “Trevor Ruhland was one I always watched when (C-G) played against South. I met (Green Bay right tackle) Bryan Bulaga (a 2007 Marian Central graduate) after he won the Super Bowl (in 2011) when I was in the fourth grade.”

Bulaga, who attended Iowa, started a long line of area linemen, in general, and Marian linemen, in particular, to go D-I. Heading into this season, West (Western Michigan) and Marian center Thor Paglialong (Air Force) have made their commitments. Neither Keegan nor Jacobs’ Joey Price (6-8, 325) have committed. Collado, the only junior among the area’s top five linemen, will receive more attention as the year progresses.

“At offensive line, the No. 1 determining factor is that height, that length, that size, and we’ve been really fortunate around here to have so many big kids,” C-G coach Brad Seaburg said. “Addison is comparable sizewise with Trevor (Ruhland), so maybe that gives [West] a sense of, ‘Hey, I can do this. Maybe playing Division I is a reality for me.’ The size part is definitely something that gets your foot in the door.”

West (6-4, 270) was inspired by Ruhland and Michael Gomez, another lineman from the Trojans’ 2012 and 2014 state runner-up teams, but also by another former Trojan who was not a lineman. Alex Kube played linebacker at Northern Illinois and trained athletes at his Elite 7 facility. Kube died last year.

“It was just working hard with Alex,” West said. “That really, really helped. As a kid, I was really slow, and I got faster and faster. I’m really thankful for [Kube] helping me get more ath-

Offensive lineman Dominic Collado (left) works with a Crystal Lake South teammate during practice July 9 at South.

Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

letic and stronger.

Paglialong (6-4, 270) was getting noticed but helped himself in another way last winter.

“Wrestling helped me a lot and continuously lifting in the offseason,” he said. “When I was a freshman, there were a lot of guys around here, and I remember wanting to be one of them one day.”

Price’s path toward Division I football is vastly different than most players. His sport was basketball through elementary and middle school, but he

was talked into football last season by several of his friends who played, and

by Golden Eagles coach Bill Mitz. Even with his lack of experience, Price attracted interest from college coaches with his massive size.

Price visited Illinois, Iowa State and Minnesota this summer, all schools that have made him offers. He also has offers from Purdue and West Virginia and wants to visit West Virginia soon.

“If you had told me this is where I was going to be at a year ago, I probably wouldn’t have believed you,”

Price said.

Mitz said Price’s upside with his size has captivated college coaches.

With so many offensive line prospects coming from the area, Collado appreciates all of the resources available to make him better.

“I go to camps and learn from there,” he said. “I learn so many different styles, and it helps develop my game. I looked up to Wyatt (Blake) and Jeff (Jenkins), too, when I was younger. And then Trevor when I started playing with him.”

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R-B’s Kaufman: ‘A coach’s pleasure’ Noll points to senior RB/LB’s hard work, passion for football

Running back and linebacker Mike Kaufman lifts weights during football practice Aug. 6 at Richmond-Burton.

Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

By SEAN HAMMOND

shammond@shawmedia.com RICHMOND – After he was hired as Richmond-Burton football coach, Mike Noll met with a handful of Rockets seniors before he introduced himself to the entire team.

In that meeting was running back and linebacker Mike Kaufman, the McHenry County area’s leading returning rusher. Noll struck Kaufman as a motivational coach who seemed to know what he was talking about.

His résumé speaks for itself. He turned two big schools – McHenry in Class 7A and Glenbrook South in Class 8A – into consistent playoff contenders.

The first thing Noll noticed about Kaufman was that he looked his new coach in the eye.

“I can’t see enough positives,” Noll said. “He’s a coach’s pleasure. He’s passionate about football, and he works hard.”

Like Noll’s résumé, Kaufman’s 2018 statistics speak for themselves: 197 carries, 1,546 yards and 16 touchdowns.

R-B went 7-4 last season, winning a first-round playoff game before its season ended a week later.

Kaufman led the Kishwaukee River Conference in rushing by a wide margin. Only Prairie Ridge’s Samson Evans rushed for more yards (2,101) among McHenry County teams, and Evans did it with three more games.

Noll hopes to have the Rockets poised for a big season with key players returning on both sides of the ball.

Kaufman figures to be a big part of any success the team has in 2018.

“Looking at the year last year, he had a great year,” Noll said. “He did a great job on defense and was their bell ringer on offense. I would think he’s got a lot of confidence, and we hope that he doesn’t have to shoulder the burden this year. On offense, there’s other guys that can make plays, too, and we’re excited about that.”

Kaufman’s breakout season came a year after he spent much of his sophomore campaign on the sideline with a knee injury. He suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament and partially torn meniscus as a freshman in 2015 and missed 10 months, returning to linebacker for a few games at the end of 2016.

Playing the entire 2017 season injury-free was a breath of fresh air.

“It was nice starting from the begin-

Mike Kaufman (left) celebrates with Payton Minzey during R-B’s 35-7 victory last season at Marengo.

Shaw Media file photo

ning and getting into the groove of things earlier,” Kaufman said. “I think [this year] it will be the same as last year, hopefully. I’m excited with this new offense we’re running.”

At linebacker, Kaufman is an unquestioned leader. Noll hopes to give Kaufman frequent rests on offense. Not so on defense.

Kaufman calls the signals for the defense and has the coach’s trust to make adjustments.

“We’ve switched up to a completely different defense,” Kaufman said. “It was pretty easy to get the hang of. I think everyone is adjusting to it. We’re looking good.”

Offensively, R-B will look similar to

how it has in the past. Quarterback Luke Uhwat said there may be more quick passes, but the run game will look familiar.

During track season, Kaufman was second in the KRC in the 100-meter dash and third in the 200. His speed is one of his biggest assets. But implementing a new playbook is a lot of work, even for players with experience.

“At times, he’s like some of the other kids; at times, it’s all a little too much,” Noll said. “But he’s doing great with it. So I think he’s got good football aptitude, and I think he’s going to thrive in the new system.”

As Noll said, the hope is that

Kaufman won’t have to carry so much of the load. Senior Jimmy Horner had 26 carries for 147 yards in 2017. Uhwat carried the ball 26 times for 90 yards.

Each should see more carries with Shane Byrne, Matt Kortan and Blaze Bigos graduated (those three combined for 189 carries).

“I feel like our offense as a whole got stronger,” Uhwat said. “That’s only going to make Mike stronger, and it’s only going to make our team stronger.”

Noll has made an effort with Kaufman, and a number of R-B’s senior leaders, to be more vocal.

“We’ve got too many quiet leaders,” Noll said. “I do think there’s other ways to lead other than vocally. You can lead with your body language. But we need some of our seniors to speak more, and he’s one of them. He’s starting to do that.”

Uhwat described Kaufman as a “supportive” teammate and leader.

While other players might joke around, give each other a hard time before or after practice, Uhwat said Kaufman usually keeps it professional.

“I feel like you get a bigger leadership role being a senior,” Kaufman said. “I definitely try to be more of a vocal leader. I think I’m pretty good as a leader by example, but it just takes some time.”

R-B has made the Class 4A playoffs in 11 consecutive seasons. The Rockets open the 2018 season Friday at Wauconda.

Northwest Herald sports reporter Joe Stevenson has covered high school football in McHenry County for 29 seasons. Sports editor Kyle Nabors is back for season No. 2. They discuss which local teams have the best playoff chances.

Nabors: I’m at a loss, Joe. Here we are ready for another season of high school football, but even after hours of combing through rosters and talking with coaches, I’m still no closer to figuring out which team is going to win the Fox Valley Conference. Prairie Ridge was the clear favorite in each of the past two seasons, and it’s a weird feeling not having any clarity this close to Week 1.

Stevenson: I’m right there with you.

It’s nice when you can make definitive predictions and your teams then make you look smart. A lot of years around here it’s been Prairie Ridge or CaryGrove as the solid favorite, although the element of surprise will be a lot of fun as we see how things shake out.

Nabors: It’s definitely going to make the conference race more entertaining with this much uncertainty. And we won’t even get early clarity with the Jacobs vs. Huntley and Cary-Grove vs.

Prairie Ridge games moving out of Week 1 this season. Given the range in enrollments across the FVC, I think it’s

2

TAKE

Kyle Nabors and Joe Stevenson

FACE OFF

easiest to look at the largest schools – Huntley and Jacobs – first. Are they early favorites by default?

Stevenson: I’d toss Cary-Grove in there, as well. The Trojans have a great tradition, and most of their ballcarriers are back, such as Max Buss, Zach Perrone, Danny Daigle, Blake Skol and Quinn Priester. Prairie Ridge lost so much to graduation, but I still think the Wolves are a playoff team. Who else do you consider as an FVC playoff team?

Nabors: It’s hard to look at Prairie Ridge and point to a specific player or unit that makes you believe the Wolves can win the FVC. With that being said, I still think Prairie Ridge will be in con-

tention based on the program’s tradition and coaching. So if we think CaryGrove, Huntley, Jacobs and Prairie Ridge are playoff teams, that likely leaves us with one more. I’ll give you Dundee-Crown. I’m not sure the Chargers can stop anyone, but I sure like what they have returning on offense.

Stevenson: Since last season, I thought D-C could be a playoff team. It has some really tough teams early, starting with a nonconference game against Grayslake North. Crystal Lake South is another team that might be that fifth FVC playoff team. The Gators have a big line and several skill players returning, as well. It also has a tough nonconference matchup against DeKalb. Who do you like in the Kishwaukee River Conference?

Nabors: Johnsburg has been the king of the KRC in each of the conference’s first two seasons, but I think that reign comes to an end this fall. I really like what Richmond-Burton is doing. Not only do the Rockets have running back Mike Kaufman back, but they also have a terrific new coaching staff led by Mike Noll.

Stevenson: Johnsburg surprised us last year after losing a lot to graduation, installing a different offense and running roughshod over the KRC. But I

really like R-B, as well. Kaufman’s probably the best player in the conference, and the Rockets have a lot of other good ones. Noll was one of the best coaches in the state when he was teaching and coaching. Now he is retired from teaching and can focus on coaching. It was a great hire by R-B. Can Marian Central, our lone team in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, negotiate that rugged league and get to the Class 5A playoffs again?

Nabors: The Hurricanes’ schedule is always tough, but it helps that they avoid Benet. I think they get to six wins. That should give the area nine playoff teams – five from the FVC, three from the KRC and Marian. Care to go on the record with your best prediction?

Stevenson: I keep going back and forth on which of our teams makes the deepest playoff run. My top candidates are R-B and Marian, especially if Chicago Phillips moves up to 6A, as we have heard it is petitioning to do. R-B has a strong tradition with several deep playoff runs, a lot of returning talent and a really fast workhorse back with Kaufman. I’m less certain than the past two years with Prairie Ridge, but I’ll predict the Rockets are our last area team standing.

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7 PREP FOOTBALL 2018 Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

Taking a stab at which teams make playoffs

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

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FOX VALLEY CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

9 McHenry’s Braden Crowley catches a pass in front of Prairie Ridge’s Jared Lindquist last season in McHenry. Crowley is expected to see time at quarterback and running back on offense in addition to playing defensive back.

(Players highlighted in the Northwest Herald’s “Five to Watch” were not included here.)

Matt Burba, Huntley, jr., DL

Burba (6-foot-0, 235 pounds) was a Northwest Herald All-Area honorable mention as a sophomore and should be a force for an improved Red Raiders defense this season. He also competed at 220 and 285 pounds for Huntley’s wrestling team, which was fourth in the Class 3A Dual Team State Tournament.

Shaw Media file photo

Dominic Collado, CLS, jr., OL

Collado (6-4, 300) has NCAA Division I offers from Central Michigan, Western Michigan and South Dakota State and likely will have a lot more to come. He started as a freshman, and the Gators love running to the side where he is guard and Trevor Keegan (6-6, 310) is tackle.

Braden Crowley, McHenry, sr., QB-RB-DB

Crowley (6-0, 180) should be one of the top playmakers in the FVC with his speed and experience. He has been a home run hitter for the Warriors on offense since his sophomore season. He will play quarterback or running back on offense and play defensive back on the other side. He rushed for 555 yards last season and caught 17 passes.

Joey Price, Jacobs, sr., OL

Price (6-8, 320) played his first season of high school football last year and has multiple NCAA Division I offers, with Illinois, Iowa State, Minnesota, Purdue and West Virginia among them. Price’s size grabs coaches’ attention, but playing basketball also helped him develop his footwork.

Chris Raffin, Huntley, sr., QB

Raffin (6-0, 160) watched and learned behind one of the area’s best players, Eric Mooney, who now is a freshman at Northern Iowa. Raffin has the confidence of the players and coaches to step in and run the Red Raiders’ read-option offense proficiently.

Josh Raby, Dundee-Crown, sr., QB

Raby (6-5, 188) is the area’s leading returning passer (1,437 yards) from last season and could present some problems for opposing defenses. He has most of his leading receivers back, and the Chargers also have one of the area’s best running backs in Ricky Ibarra.

Blake Skol, Cary-Grove, jr., FB-DB

Skol (5-9, 170) became one of the Trojans’ top defensive players as a sophomore, then, after a slew of injuries for C-G at fullback, played a couple of games there, as well. He could get the starting fullback job, could be in the defensive backfield and could do both.

Addison West, Cary-Grove, sr., OL West (6-3 1/2 , 285) is committed to

NCAA Division I Western Michigan and will be a third-year varsity starter.

He is a good athlete who also plays basketball and will be a key figure on the line that leads C-G’s option offense.

2017 STANDINGS Team Prairie Ridge Huntley Cary-Grove Jacobs Crystal Lake Central Crystal Lake South McHenry Hampshire Dundee-Crown

Conf. Overall 8-0 14-0 7-1 8-2 6-2 7-4 5-3 6-4 4-4 5-5 2-6 3-6 3-5 4-5 1-7 1-8 0-8 1-8

PIVOTAL GAMES Jacobs at Huntley, 7 p.m. Aug. 31

Both teams are considered FVC contenders, so this Week 2 matchup will give one of them an advantage in the conference race. Jacobs has QB Anthony Wilson returning to lead its

offense, while Huntley will have new QB Chris Raffin running its offense.

Huntley at Prairie Ridge, 7 p.m. Sept. 14

Two-time defending FVC champion Prairie Ridge could run its state-best winning streak to 30 with wins in the first two games against Crystal Lake Central and Hampshire. This game against last year’s FVC runner-up should be more of a challenge.

Jacobs at Cary-Grove, 7 p.m. Oct. 5

If C-G contends again, as expected, this Week 7 contest could say a lot about who is going to win the conference title.

C-G was third and Jacobs was fourth last season.

TOP CONTENDERS Cary-Grove

The Trojans took two of their four losses last season to Class 6A state champion Prairie Ridge by a combined

five points. They have enough key players back, along with a tradition of being in the race each year, to win the FVC championship.

Huntley

The Red Raiders were FVC runners-up last year and third the year before. Huntley knows its offense will not be as explosive, but coaches feel their defense will be improved and make it tough on opponents.

Jacobs

The Golden Eagles lost a lot of key players, but they have enough returning to again be a factor in the FVC. Under coach Bill Mitz, among the 30 winningest coaches in state history, Jacobs usually is one of the FVC’s top teams.

– Joe Stevenson joestevenson@shawmedia.com

PREP FOOTBALL 2018 Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

PLAYERS TO WATCH

PRAIRIE RIDGE WOLVES QUICK HITS Coach: Chris Schremp (17th season, 13450) 2017 record: 14-0 overall, 8-0 FVC (Class 6A state champion) Fast fact: With its Class 6A state championship last season, Prairie Ridge became the first McHenry County team to win back-toback state titles since Marian Central, which won in 1986 and 1987.

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

PREP FOOTBALL 2018

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SCOUTING REPORT • Prairie Ridge enters the season with the longest winning streak in Illinois at 28 games.

The Wolves haven’t lost since the Class 6A state semifinals Nov. 21, 2015.

• Junior QB Connor Lydon will have the tough task of replacing three-year starter Samson Evans, who is now at Iowa. Lydon, however, does come in with experience.

With Prairie Ridge routinely routing opponents last season, Lydon saw plenty of time in the second half in most games. He also filled in for an injured Evans against Hampshire as the Wolves put up 55 points in the win.

• The Wolves do return some talent at the other skill positions. FB Jackson Willis rushed for 832 yards and 12 TDs last year. RB Ethan Kirchberg should see more carries after serving mostly as a blocker. WB Blake Brown also will see an expanded role. TE Carter Evans provides Lydon with a big target after playing wide receiver as a freshman last year.

• The loss of tackle Jeff Jenkins, also now at

Prairie Ridge fullback Jackson Willis Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 Crystal Lake Central 7 p.m.

Aug. 31 @Hampshire 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 Huntley 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 @Dundee-Crown 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 McHenry 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 @Jacobs 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 @Waubonsie Valley* 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 12 Cary-Grove 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 @Crystal Lake South 7 p.m. * Nonconference game

Iowa, and guard Justin Grapenthin will hurt.

Returning offensive line starters Riley Smith and Tim Maguire will transition to the tight side in Prairie Ridge’s option offense.

• The Wolves return only three full-time starters on defense: S Kyle Koelblinger, DL Josh Crandall and LB Drew Fryer. Jared Linquist and Charles Salerno also saw significant playing time in the secondary.

UNDER THE RADAR Drew Fryer, jr., LB The Wolves lost a lot of impact players at linebacker, including Joe Perhats, Jacob Ommen and Drew Norton. The 3-5-3 defense relies heavily on a quality linebacker corps, and it will be up to Fryer (6-2, 180) to lead a young group.

– Kyle Nabors knabors@shawmedia.com

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CARY-GROVE TROJANS

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Cary-Grove fullback Max Buss Shaw Media file photo

SCOUTING REPORT • C-G lost to Prairie Ridge and Huntley in the FVC regular season but almost derailed Prairie Ridge’s run toward backto-back Class 6A state championships in the second round of the playoffs. The Trojans return most of the backfield from that team, with the exception of fullback Max Skol. QB Quinn Priester (638 yards), FB Max Buss (483) and RBs Danny Daigle (429) and Zach Perrone (290) all return. • Junior Blake Skol FB-DB stood out on defense last season and also could step in at fullback for his brother. Skol, Daigle and Priester could see action on both offense and defense. • LB Ben McDonald is a returning starter but will have a different role to begin the season at quarterback. McDonald has taken most of the repetitions there this summer as Priester, a baseball commit to TCU as a pitcher, has competed at numerous high-level showcases. Priester

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SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 Crystal Lake South 7 p.m.

Aug. 31 @Crystal Lake Central 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 Hampshire 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 @Huntley 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 Dundee-Crown 1 p.m.

Sept. 28 @McHenry 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 Jacobs 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 @ Prairie Ridge 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 Naperville Central* 7:30 p.m. * Nonconference game

will not be available for the season opener, as he was unable to attend the IHSA-mandated 12 practices before the first game because of baseball. • OL Addison West (6-4, 270) is one of the area’s top big men and committed to Western Michigan. West and Jason Petko return to lead the line. DB Michael Boyd is another returning player on the defense.

UNDER THE RADAR Jake Johnson, jr., LB Johnson was injured during both his freshman and sophomore seasons, and served as manager last year, but listened and studied what was happening on the field. Seaburg said he plays fast and can make an impact this season. – Joe Stevenson joestevenson@shawmedia.com

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PREP FOOTBALL 2018 Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

QUICK HITS Coach: Brad Seaburg (eighth season, 69-17) 2017 record: 7-4 overall, 6-2 FVC Fast fact: The Trojans have been to the playoffs 14 consecutive seasons, currently the best streak in the area, and have not lost a first-round game in that stretch.

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

PREP FOOTBALL 2018

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CRYSTAL LAKE CENTRAL TIGERS QUICK HITS Coach: Jon McLaughlin (10th season, 40-46) 2017 record: 5-5 overall, 4-4 FVC Fast fact: Quarterback Jake Staples’ 2,948 yards from scrimmage (passing and rushing) were second in the area last season to Huntley’s Eric Mooney (3,369).

SCOUTING REPORT • Central made the playoffs for the eighth time in 10 years, but it was the Tigers’ first trip in three seasons. They almost upset Cary-Grove in the regular-season finale, losing, 36-35, when the Trojans scored a late touchdown and made the 2-point conversion.

• The graduation losses were heavy for the Tigers, who have to replace Staples, leading rusher Braden Bisram and top receivers Daniel Manning and Cade Gau. Their best player, OT Wyatt Blake, also is now at Northwestern.

• LB Jack Munn was one of Central’s best defensive players and returns to lead the defense as a third-year starter. LB T.J. Keene, DB Jake White and DB Christian Mascari also return for the defense. Sophomore Cole Keenan, whom McLaughlin calls “a clone” of his big brother Cade, steps in on the defensive line to help. Cade Keenan is playing at NCAA Division I Butler.

• Aidan Ellinger steps into the quarterback role where Staples flourished the past two seasons. McLaughlin feels like Ellinger has similar abilities to Staples. “I’m sure he’ll do some good things,” McLaughlin said. “And there may

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Aug. 24 @Prairie Ridge Aug. 31 Cary-Grove Sept. 7 @Crystal Lake South Sept. 14 @ Kankakee* Sept. 21 Hampshire Sept. 28 @ Huntley Oct. 5 Dundee-Crown Oct. 12 @ McHenry Oct. 19 Jacobs * Nonconference game

Crystal Lake Central quarterback Aidan Ellinger

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Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

be some growing pains.”

• Central could end up using several players at running back, where White, Brendan Parks and sophomores Jake Coss and Peyton Falco are all working.

• Aidan Landt, Cam Calhan, Ryan Pipitone and Clinton Lackey return on the offensive line. WRs Anthony Beck and Drew Jenkins also are back.

Beck caught 24 passes last season and Jenkins caught 12.

UNDER THE RADAR T.J. Keene, sr., LB McLaughlin sees the senior linebacker as a good team leader who can be a key figure on defense.

McLaughlin says Keene is “completely selfless and has a fantastic work ethic.”

– Joe Stevenson joestevenson@shawmedia.com

CRYSTAL LAKE SOUTH GATORS Crystal Lake South wide receiver Jacob Rana Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

QUICK HITS Coach: Rob Fontana (second season, 3-6) 2017 record: 3-6 overall, 2-6 FVC Fast fact: The Gators made the playoffs for 12 consecutive years from 2001 to 2012 but have been in the postseason only once in the past five seasons.

SCOUTING REPORT • Coaches say it all starts up front, in which case the Gators could be formidable. Senior OT Trevor Keegan (6-6, 310) is one of the top players in the state and will be a fourth-year varsity starter. Junior OG Dominic Collado (6-4. 300), OT Ethan Greenspan (6-0, 270) and OG Nick Morrissey (6-1, 235) give South a bunch that should move people around and protect QB Ian Gorken.

• Gorken returns after splitting time with Dylan Rhoades last season, and returning WR Jacob Rana led the team in receiving with 30 catches and five touchdowns. WR Michael Helm also is a returning starter. RB Zach Borgert was a Class 3A track and field state meet sprint qualifier and brings good speed to the backfield.

• On defense, DL Alec Natrop, LBs Sam Storck, Billy Epperson and Jacob Kocemba and DBs Mert Imeroski and Ryan Lawson are returning starters.

• OL-DL Jay Burburija, RB-LB Gio Idiaquez, WR-DB Jack Koenig, LB Des McCarthy, WR-DB Dan Sage and WR-DL Dylan Law are new players who could make impacts.

• “Our offensive line is a hard-working group that prides themselves in moving people and

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Aug. 24 @ Cary-Grove Aug. 31 @ DeKalb* Sept. 7 Crystal Lake Central Sept. 14 Hampshire Sept. 21 Huntley Sept. 28 @ Dundee-Crown Oct. 5 McHenry Oct. 12 @ Jacobs Oct. 19 Prairie Ridge * Nonconference game

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owning the line of scrimmage,” Fontana said.

• South knows how tough the FVC is after struggling to make the playoffs over the past five seasons. “We need to make sure we are ready to play 48 minutes each week,” Fontana said. “The Fox Valley Conference has to be one of the toughest conferences in the state. Each week is like it’s a playoff game in our conference.”

UNDER THE RADAR Billy Epperson, sr., LB Epperson (5-11, 200) added 15 pounds in the offseason workout program and is one of six starters returning on defense. Fontana said he is a team-first player and a great leader. “I’m really excited to see what the season holds for him,” Fontana said.

– Joe Stevenson joestevenson@shawmedia.com

13 PREP FOOTBALL 2018 Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

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Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

PREP FOOTBALL 2018

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JACOBS GOLDEN EAGLES QUICK HITS Coach: Bill Mitz (ninth season, 50-31) 2017 record: 6-4 overall, 5-3 FVC Fast fact: The Golden Eagles have not had a losing record in Mitz’s eight seasons at Jacobs and have missed the playoffs only once.

SCOUTING REPORT • Jacobs finished fourth in the FVC last season and lost its Class 7A first-round playoff game at Lincoln-Way West, 14-7.

• The Golden Eagles lost several key players to graduation, most notably running back Loren Strickland (947 rushing yards) and fouryear starting guard Jimmy Wormsley (now at NCAA Division I Southern Illinois).

• QB Anthony Wilson (6-0, 180) returns after throwing for 1,433 yards and nine touchdowns in his first season running the offense. OT Joey Price (6-8, 325) has multiple D-I offers after his first season of varsity football and is back on the line. G Nick Zonta (6-1, 225) will be a third-year starter on the line.

• FB Stephen Kavanaugh (5-8, 180) is small for his position but a tough inside runner who had 577 rushing yards. Jake Mobeck and Tommy Subaric also could get some carries at running back. Subaric brings good speed as a Class 3A state qualifier in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles.

• DT Cade Portell (6-2, 220) and LB Aidan Sproule (6-1, 210) are third-year starters for

Jacobs quarterback Anthony Wilson

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Aug. 24 Hampshire Aug. 31 @Huntley Sept. 7 Dundee-Crown Sept. 14 @McHenry Sept. 21 Neuqua Valley* Sept. 28 Prairie Ridge Oct. 5 @ Cary-Grove Oct. 12 Crystal Lake South Oct. 19 @Crystal Lake Central * Nonconference game

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Shaw Media file photo

the defense. DL Helios Martinez (6-1, 220) and LB R.J. Anderson (6-3, 190) are other returning starters.

• WR Nick Desmond and DB Travis Tanner will have expanded roles. OT Nick Caruso (6-4, 230) and WR Nick Hill also should help the offense.

• “We expect to be in the thick of things,” Mitz said. “It’s an exciting time for all.”

UNDER THE RADAR Josh Hill, sr., WR Mitz said Hill worked hard in the offseason and got 1,020 pounds in the team’s three big lifts – bench press, clean and dead lift. Hill also worked hard on his speed and could step into a significant role as a receiver.

– Joe Stevenson joestevenson@shawmedia.com

HUNTLEY RED RAIDERS Huntley linebacker Michael Talesky Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

QUICK HITS Coach: Matt Zimolzak (third season, 16-6) 2017 record: 8-2 overall, 7-1 FVC Fast fact: The Red Raiders made one trip to the playoffs before 2008 but have been to the postseason seven times in the past 10 seasons.

SCOUTING REPORT • Huntley may not see a player like former QB Eric Mooney for a long time. Mooney, now at Northern Iowa, produced 3,369 yards of offense from scrimmage (2,170 passing and 1,199 rushing) last season and was one of the area’s fastest players. Chris Raffin takes over the offense, and Zimolzak believes the offense is in good hands with the senior.

• The running back position next to Raffin could be filled by one of two sophomores, Ryder Havens or Bruno Bosman. Havens is a transfer from Hampshire. Bosman was the junior varsity quarterback last year. LB Michael Talesky, who will start for a third year on defense, also may be used at running back or receiver.

• WR Michael Boland caught 28 passes, seven for touchdowns, and returns as a starter. DB Ron Noll could play on both sides and adds speed at receiver. Cade Golembeck is a returning starter on the offensive line. DB Connor Fitzgerald also could see time at one of the receiver spots.

• Talesky, S A.J. Henkle, DB Patrick Roppolo and DL Alex Pitrone, Matt Burba, Nate Schupbach and Nolan Engmann all were in the rota-

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Aug. 24 @ McHenry Aug. 31 Jacobs Sept. 7 @ Prairie Ridge Sept. 14 Cary-Grove Sept. 21 @ Crystal Lake South Sept. 28 Crystal Lake Central Oct. 5 @ Hampshire Oct. 12 @ Naperville North* Oct. 19 Dundee-Crown * Nonconference game

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tion last season. DL Brad Walker (6-2, 240) is a sophomore attracting NCAA Division I attention.

• Zimolzak likes the way the defense looks with a lot of returning players. He thinks the Raiders will be improved on that side.

UNDER THE RADAR A.J. Henkle, sr., SS Henkle is built like a linebacker and is one of the Red Raiders’ best cover defensive backs.

Zimolzak calls Henkle one of their most physical defensive players. “He’s smart,” Zimolzak said.

“He played corner last year, but he put on weight and strength.” Zimolzak thought Henkle was going to concentrate on baseball before last season, but he liked football too much to quit playing.

– Joe Stevenson joestevenson@shawmedia.com

McHENRY WARRIORS

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SCOUTING REPORT • The Warriors came up one victory short of qualifying for the playoffs for back-to-back seasons. The 2016 season marked their first postseason game since 2008.

• Niemic, a 2006 Crystal Lake South graduate, takes over as head coach after two years as offensive coordinator under former coach Nat Zunkel.

Niemic previously was head coach for two seasons at Sioux City (Iowa) North.

• Senior Braden Crowley can do a little bit of everything and is one of the best playmakers in the area. He was getting a look at quarterback in training camp, along with Chris Zieba. If Crowley does not play quarterback, he likely will be the Warriors’ top running back. He rushed for 555 yards and five touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns.

• Blake Weisenberger (6-4, 260) and Jacob Lesus (6-0, 240) return to lead the offensive line.

SCHEDULE

McHenry offensive lineman Blake Weisenberger

Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 Huntley 7 p.m.

Aug. 31 @Dundee-Crown 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 @Yorkville* 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 14 Jacobs 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 @Prairie Ridge 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 Cary-Grove 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 @Crystal Lake South 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 Crystal Lake Central 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 @Hampshire 7 p.m. * Nonconference game

Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

• Crowley, a defensive back, is one of four returning starters. DE Dekota Fallaw (6-4, 240), DE Johan Campos (6-3, 220) and LB Ryan Kneip (5-9, 180) are the other returning starters.

• Some of the new players who could make impacts are RB Luke Peacock, WR Anthony Angeles and LB Paul Zunkel.

UNDER THE RADAR Luke Peacock, jr., RB-CB Niemic said Peacock (5-8, 160) is a small player who packs some punch.

The senior made himself known on special teams last year and will have an expanded role carrying the ball at running back and in the defensive backfield.

– Joe Stevenson joestevenson@shawmedia.com

HAMPSHIRE WHIP-PURS Hampshire offensive lineman Evan Wendt Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

QUICK HITS Coach: Jake Brosman (first season) 2017 record: 1-8 overall, 1-7 FVC Fast fact: The Whip-Purs made the Class 5A playoffs in 2013 and the Class 6A playoffs in 2015 for their last two postseason appearances.

SCOUTING REPORT • Brosman was an assistant coach at Class 5A state runner-up Dunlap before coming to Hampshire. While the Whips will run a lot of shotgun formations, Brosman said they will have a run-first mentality, which will be a switch from the wide-open passing game of former coach Mike Brasile.

“We’ll look spread out, but we’ll power run out of the shotgun,” Brosman said. “I’m a ball-control, power-run guy. We’ll put it in the air some, too; we have some pretty good receivers.”

• Brosman believes there are plenty of options at running back, with Jake See, Gio Chapel, Trevor Laffin, Gio Valdivia and Zach Golden all in the mix. Golden was third in the area with 48 receptions, so Brosman wants the ball in his hands however they can get it there. Laffin and Andre Allison also will be used at receiver.

• The quarterback spot will go to either senior Will Buterbaugh or one of two

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Aug. 24 @Jacobs Aug. 31 Prairie Ridge Sept. 7 @Cary-Grove Sept. 14 @Crystal Lake South Sept. 21 @Crystal Lake Central Sept. 28 Normal Community* Oct. 5 Huntley Oct. 12 @Dundee-Crown Oct. 19 McHenry * Nonconference game

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juniors, Ben Curran or Jackson Milison. Evan Wendt, Nick Saia and Jake Rambo return on the offensive line.

• Chapel will return at safety, while See is back at linebacker and Wendt returns on the defensive line.

UNDER THE RADAR Trevor Laffin, sr., RB-LB Laffin should see significant time on both offense and defense after missing his junior season with an injury. He gives the WhipPurs some versatility, as he could play running back and wide receiver on offense, and play linebacker or safety on defense.

– Joe Stevenson joestevenson@shawmedia.com

PREP FOOTBALL 2018 Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

QUICK HITS Coach: Jon Niemic (first season) 2017 record: 4-5 overall, 3-5 FVC Fast fact: The Warriors won their season openers each of the past two seasons over Crystal Lake South, putting up a combined 95 points in those two games.

PREP FOOTBALL 2018

DUNDEE-CROWN CHARGERS QUICK HITS Coach: Mike Steinhaus (fifth season, 7-29) 2017 record: 1-8 overall, 0-8 FVC Fast fact: The Chargers’ last victory over an FVC opponent came against Crystal Lake Central, 35-28, in Week 8 of the 2016 season.

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

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SCOUTING REPORT • D-C should be able to score some points with QB Josh Raby (1,437 yards, 13 TD), RB Ricky Ibarra (1,196 yards 11 TD) and WR Jack Michalski (46 receptions, seven TD) all coming back. Raby (6-5, 188) completed 59.8 percent of his passes and was sixth in the area in yardage. Ibarra (5-10, 185) was fifth in area rushing and logged the second-most carries in the area to Prairie Ridge’s Samson Evans, who played five more games.

• Raby has Michalski (6-3, 180) and Brad Stec (6-6. 195) as his top targets.

Stec caught 17 passes and Jordan Hairston, who has good speed and can leap, caught 13.

• OL Gabe Kurzynski (6-2, 260) and Jonny DeLaTorre (5-10, 230) return to lead the line.

• LBs Nick Wolfe (5-10, 190), C.J. Martin (5-9, 170) and Tony Fakhoury (5-0. 180), and S Ryan Lascano (5-10, 170) return as

Dundee-Crown quarterback Josh Raby Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 @Grayslake North* 7:15 p.m.

Aug. 31 McHenry 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 @Jacobs 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 Prairie Ridge 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 @Cary-Grove 1 p.m.

Sept. 28 Crystal Lake South 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 @Crystal Lake Central 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 Hampshire 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 @Huntley 7 p.m. * Nonconference game

son with the talent they have coming back. The offense should be able to produce yards and points. If the defense holds their opponents enough, even in a tough league, they could make it. Grayslake North in the opener will be a tough nonconference opponent, coming off a 7-4 season.

starters on the defense.

• TE-DE Justin Prusko (6-6, 220) and OL Austin Miller (6-0, 225) are two new players Steinhaus expects to make signif-

Northwest Herald Preseason All-Area Team Offense QB – Patsy Ricciardi, Marian Central, jr.

RB – Ricky Ibarra, Dundee-Crown, sr.

RB – Mike Kaufman, Richmond-Burton, sr.

RB – Jackson Willis, Prairie Ridge, sr.

WR – Mike Boland, Huntley, sr.

WR – Jack Michalski, Dundee-Crown, sr.

OL – Joey Price, Jacobs, sr.

OL – Trevor Keegan, CL South, sr.

OL – Dominic Collado, CL South, jr.

OL – Thor Paglialong, Marian Central, sr.

OL – Addison West, Cary-Grove, sr.

K – Jacob Kocemba, Crystal Lake South, sr.

Defense DL – Matt Burba, Huntley, jr.

DL – Justin Prusko, Dundee-Crown, jr.

DL – Cade Portell, Jacobs, sr.

LB – Michael Talesky, Huntley, sr.

LB – Jack Munn, Crystal Lake Central, sr.

LB – Jimmy Horner, Richmond-Burton, sr.

LB – Aiden Sproule, Jacobs, sr.

DB – Danny Daigle, Cary-Grove, sr.

DB – Charlie Kramer, Marian Central, sr.

DB – Blake Skol, Cary-Grove, jr.

DB – Braden Crowley, McHenry, sr.

P – Jacob Kocemba, Crystal Lake South, sr.

icant contributions.

• D-C has only made the playoffs once (2013) since 1994, but the Chargers have a legitimate shot at reaching the postsea-

UNDER THE RADAR Justin Prusko, Jr., TE-DE Prusko missed last season with an injury, but Steinhaus expects that he will make an impact both on offense and defense this season, and could attract significant college interest by next season.

– Joe Stevenson joestevenson@shawmedia.com

Northwest Herald staff predictions JOE STEVENSON Senior sports writer FVC champion: Cary-Grove FVC MVP: Blake Skol, Cary-Grove KRC champion: Richmond-Burton KRC MVP: Mike Kaufman, Richmond-Burton Longest playoff run: Richmond-Burton Offensive Player of the Year: Mike Kaufman, Richmond-Burton Defensive Player of the Year: Matt Burba, Huntley KYLE NABORS Sports editor FVC champion: Cary-Grove FVC MVP: Ricky Ibarra, DundeeCrown KRC champion: Richmond-Burton KRC MVP: Mike Kaufman, Richmond-Burton Longest playoff run: Richmond-Burton Offensive Player of the Year: Mike Kaufman, Richmond-Burton Defensive Player of the Year: Matt Burba, Huntley

Dundee-Crown running back Ricky Ibarra Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

TOM CLEGG Assistant sports editor FVC champion: Huntley FVC MVP: Ricky Ibarra, DundeeCrown KRC champion: Richmond-Burton KRC MVP: Mike Kaufman, Richmond-Burton Longest playoff run: Richmond-Burton Offensive Player of the Year: Mike Kaufman, Richmond-Burton Defensive Player of the Year: Jack Munn, Crystal Lake Central

SEAN HAMMOND Sports writer FVC champion: Cary-Grove FVC MVP: Danny Daigle, CaryGrove KRC champion: Richmond-Burton KRC MVP: Mike Kaufman, Richmond-Burton Longest playoff run: Cary-Grove Offensive Player of the Year: Ricky Ibarra, Dundee-Crown Defensive Player of the Year: Michael Talesky, Huntley ALEX KANTECKI Sports writer FVC champion: Cary-Grove FVC MVP: Ricky Ibarra, DundeeCrown KRC champion: Richmond-Burton KRC MVP: Mike Kaufman, Richmond-Burton Longest playoff run: Cary-Grove Offensive Player of the Year: Mike Kaufman, Richmond-Burton Defensive Player of the Year: Blake Skol, Cary-Grove – Northwest Herald

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17 PREP FOOTBALL 2018 Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

to Watch DANNY DAIGLE Cary-Grove, sr., RB-DB Daigle (5-11, 170) is a third-year starter for the Trojans at defensive back and also was one of their top runners last season until a right shoulder injury forced him out.

He came back to play but needed offseason surgery. He rushed for 429 yards and averaged 8.2 yards a carry, most of which came in the first four games.

He should be a big contributor on both sides for C-G.

Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

5

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Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

to Watch RICKY IBARRA Dundee-Crown, sr., RB Ibarra (5-11, 195) was productive and durable for the Chargers last season, carrying 201 times for 1,196 yards in nine games.

He averaged 5.9 yards a carry and was a Northwest Herald All-Area second-team selection. With QB Josh Raby airing it out, Ibarra is an ideal complement to keep defenses honest.

Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

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19 PREP FOOTBALL 2018 Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

to Watch MIKE KAUFMAN Richmond-Burton, sr., RB-LB Kaufman (6-1, 190) ran for 1,546 yards and 16 touchdowns last season for the Rockets, who made the Class 4A playoffs and won their first-round game.

He is one of the fastest players in the Kishwaukee River Conference and again should be one of the toughest runners around for defenses to slow down.

Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

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Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

to Watch TREVOR KEEGAN Crystal Lake South, sr., OT Keegan (6-6, 310) is one of the highest-rated players in the state and has NCAA Division I offers from all four of last season’s College Football Playoff schools (Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Oklahoma). Oklahoma did not make Keegan’s final six, but the other three did. The Gators are thrilled to have their big man back for a fourth varsity season to lead the line.

Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

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21 PREP FOOTBALL 2018 Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

to Watch JACKSON WILLIS Prairie Ridge, sr., FB Willis (5-8, 185) often was the third option for the Class 6A state champs last year behind QB Samson Evans and RB Zach Gulbransen. He ran 125 times for 832 yards and scored in the state title game.

Willis, a warrior in the weight room, likely will get the ball a lot more this season, which could have favorable results for the Wolves.

– Five to Watch capsules compiled by Joe Stevenson

Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

PREP FOOTBALL 2018

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KISHWAUKEE RIVER CONFERENCE OVERVIEW PLAYERS TO WATCH

(Players highlighted in the Northwest Herald’s “Five to Watch” were not included here.)

Woodstock wide receiver David Shinherr looks for some running room against Woodstock North last season at Woodstock.

Shaw Media file photo

Shawn Bough, Harvard, sr., TE/LB

Bough is one of Harvard’s best overall athletes. After battling injuries the past two seasons, he hopes to be one of the top linebackers in the area. He also has moved to tight end on offense.

Ed Flores, Woodstock North, sr., RB

Flores led North in carries last year and is one of the top returning rushers in the KRC. Though small in stature (5-7, 165), Flores should be a key piece to the Thunder offense.

Derek Freeman, Woodstock North, sr., DL

Last year Freeman showed his ability to bust through offensive lines and bring down a ball carrier. He will garner a lot of attention from opposing offensive lines in the KRC.

Jimmy Horner, Richmond-Burton, sr., RB/LB

Horner will be R-B’s second option at running back behind Mike Kaufman.

He also was a key contributor at linebacker in 2017 and will be an important piece for the Rockets’ defense.

Travis Knaak, Marengo, sr., QB

Knaak is the KRC’s leading returning passer and again will be at the helm of the Marengo attack. He threw for more than 1,000 yards and rushed for more than 400 in 2017.

Augie Lichtenstein, Johnsburg, sr., WR

Lichtenstein emerged as a dangerous receiver for Johnsburg last season (46 catches, 447 yards), although he was overshadowed at times by Brody Frazier and Nico LoDolce. With graduations ahead of him on the depth chart, Lichtenstein figures to be the No. 1 target out wide for the Skyhawks.

Payton Minzey, Richmond-Burton, sr., S/PR Minzey was all over the place at safety for the Rockets. He can break up passes and make open-field tackles.

Minzey also showed some skill as a punt returner.

David Shinherr, Woodstock, sr., WR

Woodstock’s top receiving target returns for his senior year. Shinherr caught 27 passes for 381 yards. He also rushed for 121 yards on 13 carries.

PIVOTAL GAMES Johnsburg at Richmond-Burton, 7 p.m.

Oct. 19

Two perennial KRC contenders square off in Week 9. Could the conference title be on the line? It’s too soon to tell, but this local rivalry will be much anticipated either way.

Woodstock North at Richmond-Burton, 7 p.m. Sept. 7

Over the past two seasons, these two have been the top KRC contenders behind Johnsburg. If one of them is going to overtake the Skyhawks at the top of the conference, this early-season

2017 STANDINGS Team Johnsburg Woodstock North Richmond-Burton Burlington Central Woodstock Marengo Harvard

Conf. Overall 6-0 10-1 5-1 5-5 4-2 7-4 3-3 5-4 2-4 4-5 1-5 2-7 0-6 0-9

matchup could provide a clue.

Burlington Central at Johnsburg, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 The nonconference schedule does no

favors for Johnsburg, with games against Marian Central and Rochelle in Weeks 1 and 2. The Skyhawks’ KRC opener could give an indication of how the two-time defending KRC champions will fare in conference play.

TOP CONTENDERS Johnsburg

With a new head coach and a new cast of characters, Johnsburg is a bit of an unknown again. If the Skyhawks can find the right formula, as they have the past two seasons, there’s no reason why they couldn’t sit atop the conference again.

Richmond-Burton

R-B has tons of experience back from a team that reached the second round of the Class 4A playoffs. Add a veteran coach in Mike Noll and the Rockets could be the favorites to knock Johnsburg from the top of the KRC.

Woodstock North

North’s 2017 season could have looked wildly different had the Thunder stayed healthy. North should be in the mix again. Last year’s only conference loss came against Johnsburg.

– Sean Hammond shammond@shawmedia.com

WOODSTOCK BLUE STREAKS

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Shaw Media file photo

SCOUTING REPORT • Brasile has made the goal clear: The Blue Streaks want to end their playoff drought.

Woodstock last reached the postseason in 2009. The Streaks are coming off back-toback 4-5 seasons.

• Although they both came into the 2017 season as backups, QBs Carl Anderson Jr. and Michael Purkey each earned their fair share of snaps because of injuries ahead of them. Brasile expects big things out of Purkey (6-2, 185), while Anderson (5-11, 175) could slide over to wide receiver.

• WR David Shinherr (5-11, 165) caught a team-high 27 passes in 2017 for 381 yards and two touchdowns. Andrew Adams (6-3, 170) provides a big target with varsity experience.

• RB Aidan Jacobs (6-3, 195) brings experience to the backfield. He piled up 201 yards on 49 carries last season. The Streaks return five senior offensive linemen with starting experience: Gavin Butenschoen (6-0, 275), Jacob Waryck (6-1, 230), Jonathan Perez (6-0, 230), Matthew Hickey (6-4,

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 Gary (Ind.) West Side* 7 p.m.

Aug. 31 @Ottawa* 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 Sycamore* 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 @Burlington Central 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 Johnsburg 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 Harvard 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 Richmond-Burton 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 @Woodstock North 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 19 @Marengo 7 p.m. * Nonconference game

245) and Danny Cubert (6-1, 230). Those five will share time on the defensive line, too.

• Jacobs, Adams and Anderson return with experience at linebacker on the defensive side. Shinherr will play defensive back, along with varsity newcomers Gavin White (6-1, 155) and Ian Dawdy (6-1, 155).

UNDER THE RADAR Michael Purkey, jr., QB Purkey did not begin 2017 as the starting QB but threw for 343 yards while completing 48.4 percent of his passes after injuries ahead of him on the depth chart. Brasile believes Purkey is poised for a breakout season.

– Sean Hammond shammond@shawmedia.com

WOODSTOCK NORTH THUNDER QUICK HITS Coach: Jeff Schroeder (10th season, 36-50) 2017 record: 5-5, 5-1 KRC Fast fact: North has made two consecutive Class 5A playoff appearances.

Three consecutive would be the most in program history. North began playing football in 2009.

SCOUTING REPORT • No team dealt with more key injuries in 2017 than Woodstock North. The Thunder used five players at QB because of injuries. Ryan Zinnen (5-8, 160) saw time as a sophomore last year before he too went down with an injury in Week 9.

Now a junior, Zinnen will step in as the starter.

• RB Ed Flores (5-7, 165) rushed for 467 yards and four touchdowns on 117 carries as a junior in 2017. Junior RBs Elijah Pena (5-9, 160) and Dane Williams (5-8, 165) will earn their share of carries, too.

• WR Carter Coalson (6-3, 180) played some QB when he had to last season, stepping into game action against Woodstock without having played QB in two years. The hope is to keep the senior at receiver this year to give Zinnen a tall target.

• Senior Matt Stevens (6-1, 215) and junior Hans Goll (6-0, 250) return expe-

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 @Westosha Central (Wis.)* 7 p.m.

Aug. 31 Antioch* 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 7 @Richmond-Burton 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 @Johnsburg 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 Burlington Central 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 @Marengo 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 @Lincoln* 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 12 Woodstock 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 19 Harvard 7 p.m. * Nonconference game

rience to the offensive line.

• Stevens and Zach Stopcynski (5-11, 175) return at linebacker. DL Derek Freeman (6-1, 250) and DB Cade Darling (5-10, 165) also bring experience to the defense. DBs Williams and Colin Zinn (5-9, 160) could be key newcomers on defense. Pena also will play linebacker.

UNDER THE RADAR Ryan Zinnen, jr., QB Zinnen only played a game and a half of varsity football last season before suffering an ankle injury. Schroeder believes the junior is in store for a big season at the helm of the Thunder offense.

– Sean Hammond shammond@shawmedia.com

Woodstock North running back Ed Flores Shaw Media file photo

PREP FOOTBALL 2018 Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

Woodstock quarterback Michael Purkey

QUICK HITS Coach: Mike Brasile (first season) 2017 record: 4-5, 2-4 KRC Fast fact: First-year coach Brasile comes to Woodstock after three seasons coaching Hampshire. Brasile was a member of the 1997 Blue Streaks state championship team.

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JOHNSBURG SKYHAWKS

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SCOUTING REPORT • After six seasons as defensive coordinator, Lesniak takes over as Johnsburg head coach. Former head coach Dan DeBoeuf, who was 31-5 in three seasons, is now the head coach at Prospect.

• Alec Smith (5-10, 180) steps in at QB. Smith has experience at CB on defense.

OL Ethan Rowe (6-1, 245) returns at center. WR Augie Lichtenstein (5-11, 210) caught 46 passes a year ago for 447 yards and five touchdowns.

• Two juniors, Jacob McKinney (5-10, 175) and Jacob Morin (5-10, 170), will look to step in at RB. Sophomore OL Dawson Peter (6-3, 245) is another varsity newcomer who provides some size at right tackle.

• On defense, Ryan Linkletter (6-2, 190) returns experience at inside linebacker. DE Cole Romano (6-0, 195) could

Johnsburg wide receiver Augie Lichtenstein Shaw Media file photo

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 Marian Central* 7 p.m.

Aug. 31 @Rochelle* 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 Burlington Central 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 Woodstock North 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 @Woodstock 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 @Appleton West (Wis.) * 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 5 Marengo 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 @Harvard 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 @Richmond-Burton 7 p.m. * Nonconference game

give opponents trouble up front.

• “This team will look different,” Lesniak said. “We have some upcoming starters that have bright futures and will make a big impact for us this year. This team can compete for a conference championship and make a deep run into the playoffs.”

UNDER THE RADAR Cole Romano, sr., DE Romano is a returning starter who “brings an edge to our team,” Lesniak said. “He plays with reckless abandon.

Cole is a tough kid that has a big motor.”

– Sean Hammond shammond@shawmedia.com

RICHMOND-BURTON ROCKETS QUICK HITS Coach: Mike Noll (first season) 2017 record: 7-4, 4-2 KRC Fast fact: Richmond-Burton has won six or more games in four consecutive seasons. The Rockets are aiming for their 12th straight playoff appearance.

SCOUTING REPORT • RB Mike Kaufman (6-1, 190) is the top returning rusher in McHenry County after racking up 1,546 yards and 16 touchdowns on 197 carries in 2017. RB Jimmy Horner (5-10, 185) should earn a fair share of handoffs too. Horner piled up 147 yards on 26 carries last year.

• QB Luke Uhwat (6-2, 185) started most of the 2017 season until R-B instead went with now graduated QB Shane Byrne to start Week 9 and the playoffs. Uhwat learned a lot from the benching. “Nobody likes leaving the team hanging like that,” Uhwat said.

“I’m the quarterback, I’m the leader. I’ve got to make sure I’m doing my job.” Now a senior, Uhwat is firmly in control of the starting QB spot heading into Week 1.

• Josh Dumont (6-0, 210), Kyle Curran (6-3, 260), Parker Gibson (6-2, 275) and Connor Donohoe (6-1, 210) return after

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 @Wauconda* 7:15 p.m.

Aug. 31 Aurora Central Catholic* 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 Woodstock North 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 @Harvard 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 Marengo 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 @Burlington Central 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 @Woodstock 7 p.m.

Oct 12 @Macomb* 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 Johnsburg 7 p.m. * Nonconference game

gaining experience on the offensive line.

It’s a promising prospect for a team that likes to grind out yards on the ground.

• Kaufman and Horner are key linebackers for the Rockets. DL/LB Dylan Szumanski (5-11, 210) and LB Dalton Wood (5-10, 170) also return. DBs Payton Minzey (6-0, 170) and Devin Bailey (5-10, 165) will roam the secondary.

UNDER THE RADAR Kyle Curran, sr., OL Noll called Curran “an emerging senior with a very high ceiling.” Curran has blossomed into an effective leader for R-B. – Sean Hammond shammond@shawmedia.com

Richmond-Burton quarterback Luke Uhwat (right) and running back Mike Kaufman Shaw Media file photo

PREP FOOTBALL 2018 Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

QUICK HITS Coach: Sam Lesniak (first season) 2017 record: 10-1, 6-0 KRC Fast fact: Johnsburg has not lost a regular-season football game since Oct. 9, 2015. That span includes back-toback 9-0 regular seasons in 2016 and 2017.

MARENGO INDIANS QUICK HITS Coach: Paul Forsythe (second season, 2-7) 2017 record: 2-7, 1-5 KRC Fast fact: Marengo missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, but three of the Indians’ losses in 2017 were one-possession games.

Marengo quarterback Travis Knaak Shaw Media file photo

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

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SCOUTING REPORT • Starting QB Travis Knaak (6-1, 180) enters his senior season as Marengo’s leading returning rusher.

He ran for more than 400 yards and four touchdowns and completed 55 percent of his passes for more than 1,000 yards last season. Knaak is the leading returning passer in the KRC. • WR/RB Finn Schirmer (6-2, 200) could be a playmaker on offense.

Senior RBs Cade Nolen (5-10, 175) and Zac Brandt (5-10, 180) could take handoffs too. Blake Heinberg (6-0, 215), Jagger Ferden (6-4, 250) and Danny Schenk (5-10, 200) all return on the offensive line.

• Defensively, Ferden and Schenk will play DL. Nolen and Schirmer will be joined at DB by Aaron Shepard (5-11, 170) and Colton Lohff (6-1, 190). LBs Heinberg and Colton Ervin

HARVARD HORNETS QUICK HITS Coach: Sean Saylor (fifth season, 6-30) 2017 record: 0-9, 0-6 KRC Fast fact: Harvard had only five seniors in 2017, which means the Hornets return 10 starters on offense and nine on defense.

SCOUTING REPORT • With so much experience returning, Harvard hopes to end its 17-game losing streak. The Hornets’ last win was a forfeit victory in Week 1 of 2016. The last victory on the gridiron came Oct. 9, 2015.

• WR/LB Gavin Perkins (6-0, 150) piled up 189 receiving yards on offense and 57 tackles on defense. LB Shawn Bough (6-1, 215) had 39 tackles, while missing three games with a collarbone injury. LB Tony Rodriguez (5-9, 172) had 34 tackles and LB Dawson Wallner (5-9, 145) contributed 42 tackles. Linebacker might be one of the most experienced positions for the Hornets.

• RBs Wallner and Rodriguez could be playmakers on offense. Both caught passes, as well, last year, with Wallner racking up 104 receiving yards.

• Saylor is excited about both options at QB: Junior Damon Mueller (6-0, 175) and sophomore Jacob Stanley (5-8, 152).

Stanley was thrown into the fire last

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Aug. 24 Lisle* Aug. 31 @Sandwich* Sept. 7 Marengo Sept. 14 Richmond-Burton Sept. 21 Rockford Christian* Sept. 28 @Woodstock Oct. 5 @Burlington Central Oct. 12 Johnsburg Oct. 19 @Woodstock North * Nonconference game

Time 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

year, making three starts after an injury to former QB Dylan Stephens.

• The Hornets scored a KRC-low 75 points for the season in 2017. With 10 starters back on offense, Harvard looks to improve that number drastically in 2018.

UNDER THE RADAR Jahkari Miller, sr., OL/DL Miller is a transfer from Crystal Lake Central who could have an impact on both lines. At 6-foot-3, 260 pounds, Miller should provide some size in the trenches.

– Sean Hammond shammond@shawmedia.com

Harvard linebacker Shawn Bough Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Aug. 24 Sterling* Aug. 31 @Plano* Sept. 7 @Harvard Sept. 14 @Stratford (Wis.)* Sept. 21 @Richmond-Burton Sept. 28 Woodstock North Oct. 5 @Johnsburg Oct. 12 Burlington Central Oct. 19 Woodstock * Nonconference game

Time 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

6 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

(6-1, 190) will roam the middle of the defense.

• OL/LB Sean Trainor (5-11, 200), WR/DB Cole Davis (5-9, 150) and OL/DL Jonah Pace (6-3, 200) are three newcomers who could make an impact for the Indians, Forsythe said.

UNDER THE RADAR Blake Heinberg, sr., OL/LB Heinberg gained starting experience last season and could be a top performer on the offensive line and at linebacker.

– Sean Hammond shammond@shawmedia.com

27 PREP FOOTBALL 2018 Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

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BURLINGTON CENTRAL ROCKETS QUICK HITS Coach: Brian Melvin (third season, 8-10) 2017 record: 5-4, 3-3 KRC Fast fact: The Rockets were one of the rare 5-4 teams that missed the postseason in 2017. Burlington Central last made the playoffs in 2014.

Burlington Central quarterback Johnny DiCostanzo Shaw Media file photo

SCOUTING REPORT • A torn ACL sidelined QB Johnny DiCostanzo (5-10, 190) in Week 3 last year. Jake Lenschow (6-3, 190) stepped in as a sophomore to replace him. DiCostanzo, now a senior, is fully healthy again, and the Rockets have two capable quarterbacks, a good problem to have.

• Matthew Ganziano (5-9, 185) returns at running back. Travis Schambach (6-2, 210) and Zachary Collins (6-1, 190) could take handoffs, as well.

• DiCostanzo and Lenschow will be twoway players, with DiCostanzo at LB and Lenschow at DB. Kyle Moring (6-0, 185) also brings experience at LB. • Keandre Holmes (5-8, 299) provides size on the offensive and defensive lines.

Collins and Schambach also will play up front at DL. OL/DL Jake Borman (6-3, 260)

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

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SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 @Sycamore* 7:15 p.m.

Aug. 31 Wheaton St. Francis* 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 @Johnsburg 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 Woodstock 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 @Woodstock North 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 Richmond-Burton 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 Harvard 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 @Marengo 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 @Westmont* 7 p.m. * Nonconference game

looks like an impressive sophomore lineman who could be a factor in the trenches.

OL/DL James Estes (6-0, 280) is a senior, but is a varsity newcomer with some solid size.

UNDER THE RADAR Jake Borman, so., OL/DL Borman (6-3, 260) “completely dominated everybody this summer,” Melvin said. “He has quickly become a leader for us, and if he continues, [he] has a very bright future on Rocket Hill and beyond.”

– Sean Hammond shammond@shawmedia.com

ILLINOIS 8-MAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION – ALDEN-HEBRON GIANTS QUICK HITS Coach: John Lalor (16th season, 96-56) 2017 record: 3-6 Fast fact: Alden-Hebron enters its second year playing eight-on-eight football, which is designated as an emerging sport by the IHSA. There are now seven teams (two more than last year) in the state playing eight-man football.

SCOUTING REPORT • QB/LB Brad Judson (6-2, 180) returns for his senior season running the Giants’ offense. Judson completed 56 percent of his passes as a junior for 404 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 262 yards on 62 carries.

• RB/LB Justin Strand (5-11, 190) brings experience to the backfield. OL/DL Christian Henderson (5-10, 185) and OL/DL Tommy Pahl (6-3, 300) are returning starters on the offensive line. Pahl is a sophomore who provides some serious size inside for the Giants.

• Lalor is excited about newcomers in TE/ DL Gideon Schauer (6-3, 195), a senior, and RB/LB Aven Strobel (5-10, 200), a sophomore. Lalor said those two “could have a huge impact on our season.” OL/DL Zach Herring (5-7, 285), another newcomer, and TE/CB Tomi Mor (6-2, 175), who was hurt all

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Aug. 24 Champaign Judah Christian 7 p.m.

Aug. 30 Wis. School for the Deaf* 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 @Westminster Christian 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 17 @Williams Bay (Wis.)* 6 p.m.

Sept. 21 Rockford Christian Life 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 @Ill. School for the Deaf 2 p.m.

Oct. 5 @Milford co-op 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 Lake Forest Academy 7 p.m.

Oct. 26 @Rockford Christian Life 7 p.m. * Nonconference game

of last season, also could have an impact.

• The Giants hope to win the Illinois 8-man Football Association in its inaugural season.

The seven-team league has its own fourteam playoff, with the championship game Nov. 9 at Monmouth College. The I8FA already has one additional team committed for 2019.

UNDER THE RADAR Aven Strobel, so., RB/LB A sophomore newcomer for the Giants, Strobel could make his presence known in the backfield alongside returning RB Justin Strand. At 5-foot-10, 200 pounds, Strobel is one of A-H’s bigger linebackers.

– Sean Hammond shammond@shawmedia.com

Alden-Hebron coach Jon Lalor and quarterback Brad Judson Shaw Media file photo

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC CONFERENCE OVERVIEW Nazareth has no shortage of weapons on offense, yet Blakley still manages to stand out on a roster full of highly recruited talents. The Miami (Ohio) commit ran for 1,011 yards last season and helped the Roadrunners to a runner-up finish in Class 6A with 18 total touchdowns.

Ty Gavin, Niles Notre Dame, sr., RB-DB

The ESCC’s reigning Most Valuable Player, Gavin was a workhorse in the backfield. He scored 19 times and averaged 7.9 yards a carry to go along with 13.3 yards a reception. Gavin rushed for at least 120 yards in five straight games starting in Week 3, capped by a five-touchdown, 254-yard performance against Marian Catholic in Week 7. Combined with his defensive contributions at free safety, Gavin again will be key to Notre Dame’s success.

Charlie Kramer, Marian Central, sr., WR-DB

Kramer displayed a knack for making big plays with game-winning touchdowns against Carmel and Niles Notre Dame in back-to-back weeks last season.

He finished his junior season with 429 yards and four touchdowns. The senior is expected to be a big part of Marian’s passing game along with fellow senior receiver Bryce Radcliffe. Kramer rarely will leave the field, as he also is expected to start at cornerback.

Michael Love, Nazareth, sr., WR-RB-DB

Love might not be garnering as much

2017 STANDINGS Team Marist Nazareth Benet Academy Niles Notre Dame St. Viator Marian Central Joliet Catholic St. Patrick Carmel Marian Catholic

Conf. Overall 7-0 11-1 6-1 12-2 5-2 9-4 5-2 7-3 4-3 5-5 3-4 7-5 2-5 3-6 2-5 2-7 1-6 1-8 0-7 0-9

college interest as his older brother Julian – now a starting defensive back at Notre Dame – did a few years ago, but the senior still is a special talent. The Bowling Green commit does a bit of everything for the Roadrunners, spending time at receiver, running back and defensive back.

Mike Markett, Marist, sr., QB

Marist graduated a considerable amount of talent, including star running back Delonte Harrell, which means it’s up to Markett to lead Marist’s high-powered offense. The senior has demonstrated an ability to create big plays through the air and with his feet. He also will have a pair of all-conference wide receivers in Billy Skalitzky and Jadon Thompson to target.

Kenyetta Williams, Joliet Catholic, jr., RB

Joliet Catholic’s coaches are expecting big things from the junior running back, who played up on varsity as a soph-

omore. With Ke’Von Johnson graduated, the Hilltoppers will lean on Williams and senior Keenan Hailey out of the backfield in their double-wing offense. Given his athleticism, Williams also could spend time split out wide.

PIVOTAL GAMES Marian Central at Niles Notre Dame, 7 p.m. Sept. 21

These two teams have met a bit later in the season in recent years, but they’re likely to put on a good show even in Week 5. Marian Central edged the Dons, 21-14, in 2016 to keep its postseason hopes alive. Last season, Charlie Kramer hauled in a last-minute touchdown as the Hurricanes escaped with a 14-7 win to again remain in postseason contention.

Nazareth at Benet, 7 p.m. Sept. 28

Nazareth, the Class 6A runner-up, heads to Lisle to take on Benet, a Class 7A semifinalist. Both of these programs are accustomed to playing deep into the postseason, and each is chock full of college prospects. Nazareth and Marist might be considered the conference favorites, but this will be Benet’s chance to take over that conversation.

Marist at Nazareth, 7 p.m. Oct. 5

This was supposed to be a measuring stick for Marist after it romped its way to a 6-0 start last season. That didn’t out to be the case, however, with the RedHawks demolishing Nazareth, 42-0. The Roadrunners didn’t lose again until the Class 6A state final, and with a majority of their roster back, they should be ready

for another shot at Marist.

Marian Central at St. Viator, 7 p.m.

Oct. 19

We’re getting used to Marian Central needing a win to keep its season alive.

The Hurricanes have qualified for the playoffs in Week 9 in each of the past two seasons. St. Viator also is a program that often is clawing its way to the five-win mark. Could this be a win-or-go-home scenario for both teams?

TOP CONTENDERS Nazareth

The Roadrunners were supposed to be too young to make a real run last year.

Then they almost won the Class 6A state championship anyway. This is a veteran group now that could end up being the best team in the state.

Marist

The RedHawks had little trouble going undefeated in conference action last year. They graduated a substantial amount of talent from that 2017 squad, but it’s more likely Marist reloads than it rebuilds.

Benet Academy

The Redwings have reached the Class 7A semifinals in each of the past two seasons. They should boast one of the top defenses in the ESCC with four returning all-conference defenders. Quarterback Colin Gillespie started eight games as a sophomore and should take the next step.

– Kyle Nabors knabors@shawmedia.com

MARIAN CENTRAL HURRICANES QUICK HITS Coach: Mike Maloney (fourth season, 22-13) 2016 record: 7-5 overall, 3-4 ESCC Fast fact: After needing back-to-back wins to make the postseason in 2016, the Hurricanes ran off three straight wins last season to clinch a playoff berth. They went on to reach the Class 5A state quarterfinals on both occasions.

an expanded role at running back, and he’ll have three Date Opponent Time returning offensive linemen to Aug. 24 @Johnsburg* 7 p.m. clear the way. Senior Thor Aug. 31 Niles North* 7:30 p.m.

Paglialong (6-4, 270), an Air Sept. 7 Nazareth Academy 7 p.m.

Force commit, anchors the Sept. 14 @Marian Catholic 7 p.m. line at center. Senior Danny Sept. 21 @Notre Dame 7 p.m.

Dusik (6-4, 245) and junior Sept. 28 St. Patrick 7 p.m.

Jayden Thiergood (6-3, 246) Oct. 5 Carmel 7 p.m. will man the tackle positions.

Oct. 12 @Marist 7 p.m.

• The Hurricanes will have Oct. 19 @Carmel 7 p.m. eight new starters on the * Nonconference game defensive side, but Maloney feels confident in his unit, particularly along the line and in SCOUTING REPORT the secondary. Marian will have plenty of size up • Junior Patsy Ricciardi is making the transition front with Paglialong, Thiergood, Dusik, Patrick Kelly from wide receiver to quarterback, but this won’t be (6-3, 220) and Jorge Enriquez (6-2, 245) among those his first time under center. Ricciardi (5-11, 220) played seeing time in the trenches.

QB throughout youth football and started as a freshman in Marian’s 2016 quarterfinal playoff game.

UNDER THE RADAR • The Hurricanes could open the passing game Jayden Thiergood, jr., OL-DE-LB more this season with Ricciardi at quarterback and a Most of the attention has focused on Paglialong’s pair of quality receivers in seniors Bryce Radcliffe emergence as a Division I prospect this offseason, (6-4, 165) and Charlie Kramer (6-4, 190) back. Radbut Maloney is also expecting Thiergood to take a cliffe piled up 604 yards and eight scores on 44 major step forward at offensive tackle during his catches last year, and Kramer added 429 yards and 4 junior season.

– Kyle Nabors TDs on 18 receptions. knabors@shawmedia.com • Junior Luke Rogers (5-6, 165) is expected to see SCHEDULE

Marian Central wide receiver Bryce Radcliffe Shaw Media file photo

PREP FOOTBALL 2018 Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

PLAYERS TO WATCH Devin Blakley, Nazareth, sr., RB

29

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

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ROSTERS FOX VALLEY CONFERENCE Cary-Grove Coach: Brad Seaburg No. Player Pos. Year 3 Nathan Splitt QB-DB So. 4 Luke Eleftheriou QB-DB Jr. 5 Michael Boyd RB-S Sr. 6 Andy Ciske RB So. 7 James Sheehan QB Fr. 8 Nick Frezza DB Sr. 10 Michael Sullivan LB Jr. 12 Quinn Priester WR Sr. 14 Michael Harbeck DB Jr. 15 Zach Perrone RB Sr. 17 Ben McDonald QB Sr. 19 Jason Splitt DB So. 20 Blake Skol FB-LB Jr. 21 Danny Daigle RB-LB Sr. 22 Caleb Rohrbach RB-DB Sr. 23 Gio Lanera WR Jr. 24 Anthony LaMantia S So. 25 Arik Mistak LB So. 26 Ian Masukevich WR Sr. 29 Evan Taylor S Jr. 30 Sean Pedersen RB So. 31 Mark Butts LB Jr. 33 Parker Suyko LB Jr. 34 Nick Hissong FB Fr. 36 Max Buss FB-LB Sr. 37 Dymitri Kanellakis DB Jr. 38 Brian Haglund LB Sr. 39 Johnny Gagliano LB So. 40 Noah Riley TE Fr. 41 Jake Johnson LB Jr. 45 Jake Dimattero DL Sr. 47 Tristan Carter TE So. 48 Patrick Rocen TE So. 49 Angel Rodriguez FB Jr. 50 Jacob Buck LB Jr. 51 Nathan Gomez DL So. 52 Grant Dreves OL Sr. 53 Matt Ortega DL Fr. 54 Wyatt Epp DL Jr. 55 Harry Heinisch OL Sr. 56 Brian Rathje OL Sr. 57 Krystos Kanellakis OL Jr. 59 Ryan Beeksma OL Jr. 62 Mitchel Dec DL Jr. 63 Jason Petko OL Sr. 64 Evan Hissong OL Jr. 65 David Villareal OL So. 66 Joseph Swanson OL So. 69 Richard Tinajero DL Sr. 70 Addison West OL-DL Sr. 71 Jacob Howard DL Sr. 74 Nick Riley OL Sr. 75 John Witherow DL Sr. 76 Zach Stolz OL So. 77 Jack Riley OL Sr. 83 Ethan Carlson WR Jr. 87 Nathan Desmet TE Jr. Crystal Lake Central Coach: Jon McLaughlin No. Player Pos. Year 2 Peyton Falco RB-DB So. 3 Alex Millar RB-LB So. 6 Aidan Ellinger QB-DB Jr. 9 Demarius Williams WR-DL Sr. 11 Drew Jenkins WR-DB Jr. 12 Cade Backe K-P Jr. 13 Kyle Hush K-P Sr. 15 Brenden Parks RB-LB Jr. 18 Christian West WR-LB Sr. 19 T.J. Keene FB-LB Sr. 20 Caden Ernd QB-DB So. 21 Caleb Moszkiewicz WR-LB So. 22 Jack Benoit WR-DB So. 23 Zach Sherman WR-LB Sr. 24 Jake Coss RB-DB So.

27 28 29 32 33 40 42 44 53 54 55 63 65 66 67 70 71 75 76 77 78 88

Gavin Boos Jake White Reid Solberg Caleb Noennig Cristian Mascari Jack Munn Travis Rohrbacher Jayden Alvarez Cameron Calhan Cole Keenan Jake Martin Ryan Pipitone Andrew Hudec Quentin Lackey Tim Bragdon Gus Trautman Aidan Landt Michael Herrera Mason Gibbons Ramon Fuentes Daniel Bicking Anthony Beck

WR-LB RB-DB WR-DB WR-LB WR-DB FB-LB RB-LB OL-LB OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL WR-LB

So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. So. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr.

Crystal Lake South Coach: Rob Fontana No. Player Pos. Year 2 Joseph Mikulec WR-LB So. 4 Gavin Giejda WR-DB So. 5 Ian Gorken QB Jr. 6 Mert Imeroski WR-DB Jr. 10 Justin Kowalak QB-DB Jr. 13 James Hewitt RB-LB So. 14 Daniel Sage WR-DB Jr. 15 Ryan Lawson WR-DB Sr. 17 Billy Epperson WR-LB Sr. 19 Justin Little WR-LB Sr. 21 Jack Koenig RB-LB Jr. 22 Tyler Hall WR-LB Sr. 24 Ben Hausch WR-LB Sr. 25 Jacob Rana WR-LB Sr. 29 Giovanni Idiaquez RB-LB Jr. 30 Zach Borgert RB-LB Sr. 31 Sam Storck WR-LB Sr. 35 Alec Trewyn WR-LB Jr. 36 Juan Lopez RB-LB Jr. 40 Jack Becker WR-LB Sr. 42 Joe Krol WR-DB Jr. 43 Bartek Kedra WR-LB Jr. 44 Tadd Mears OL-DL Sr. 51 Evan Downing WR-LB Sr. 52 Gabe Wisler OL-DL So. 54 Jakob Marchik OL-LB Sr. 55 Ethan Greenspan OL-DL Sr. 58 Trevor Keegan OL-DL Sr. 61 Nick Morrissey OL-DL Sr. 63 Jack Turner OL-DL So. 65 Thomas Walsh OL-DL So. 67 Alec Natrop OL-DL Sr. 68 Javier Ruiz OL-DL Jr. 71 Jason Burburija OL-DL Jr. 72 Zach Zaharias OL-DL Jr. 75 Connor Castro OL-DL Sr. 76 Patrick Dalahunty OL-DL Jr. 77 Cody Chopp OL-DL Jr. 78 Dominic Collado OL-DL Jr. 79 Charles Perdikaris OL-DL Sr. 80 Dylan Law WR-DL Jr. 88 Desmond McCarthy RB-LB Jr. 89 Justin Duncan WR-DB Sr. Dundee-Crown Coach: Mike Steinhaus No. Player Pos. Year 1 Trammell Arrington Jr. WR-DB So. 4 Kareem Dunner RB-DB Jr. 5 Damarion Butler WR-DB Sr. 6 Raekwon Blades RB-LB Sr. 9 Meante Foster RB-DB Sr. 10 Noah Conner WR-DB Sr. 11 Jaron Dabandon WR-DB Sr. 12 Josh Raby QB Sr.

13 15 20 21 22 24 25 29 30 31 34 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 62 65 73 75 77 78 79 80 82 84 87 88 89 99

Anthony Thompson WR-DB Robby Krueger WR-DB Nick Wolfe TE-LB Ricky Ibarra RB Judah Conner WR-DB Jordan Hairston WR-DB Ryan Lascano RB-DB Isaac Gutierrez WR-DB Trevor Fed RB-DL Isaac Torres WR-DB Davontae Harvey RB-LB Enoch Brobbey OL-DL Nick Fakhoury OL-LB Craig Martin Jr. OL-LB Tony Fakhoury OL-LD Austin Miller OL-DL Matt Shydlowski OL-DL Carter Fitch OL-LB Garrett Hansen OL-LB Brendan Adams OL-DL Giovanni DeLaTorre OL-DL Nikolas Karavidas OL-DL Cameron Griffiths OL-DL Ashten Morson OL-DL Gabe Kurzynski OL-DL Evan Binning OL-DL Jack Michalski TE-LB Cody Chlopek WR-DB Alex Lopez WR-DB Mauricio Toledo TE-DL Justin Prusko TE-DL Brad Stec WR-LB Christian Alamillo K-TE-DL

Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr.

Hampshire Coach: Jake Brosman No. Player Pos. Year 4 Will Buterbaugh QB-DB Sr. 5 Giovanni Chapel RB-LB Sr. 9 Jackson Milison QB-DB Jr. 11 Corve King WR-DB Jr. 12 John Brady Young WR-DB So. 13 Andre Allison WR-DB Sr. 14 Ben Curran QB-DB Jr. 15 Andrew Krajecki K Sr. 16 Thomas Ugalde WR-DB Sr. 17 Nick Sladek WR-DB Sr. 20 Trevor Laffin RB-LB Sr. 22 Diego Monterroso RB-LB Jr. 23 Giovanie Valdivia RB-DB Sr. 24 Shandon Suma WR-LB Jr. 25 Mason Lawler WR-DB Sr. 30 Evan Andresen RB-LB Jr. 32 Zach Golden WR-DB Sr. 33 Jake See RB-LB Sr. 34 Jesse Kindlarski RB-LB Jr. 35 William Negron RB-LB Jr. 52 Collin McIntyre OL-DL Sr. 56 William Pflederer OL-DL So. 57 Nick Saia OL-DL Sr. 59 Troy Kallhoff OL-DL Jr. 60 Jacob Bookman OL-DL Sr. 61 Michael Hoeppner OL-LB Sr. 65 Jonah Meretsky OL-DL Sr. 67 Ian Gaxiola OL-DL Sr. 70 Evan Wendt OL-DL Sr. 71 Andrew Baeder LS Sr. 75 Samuel Mullen OL-DL Jr. 78 Jake Rambo OL-DL Jr. 80 Michael Jummati WR-DB Jr. 88 Tyler Peterson DL Jr.

Zack Barrow WR-LB Jr.

Alex Bender OL-DL So.

Keegan Murphy WR-LB Jr. Huntley Coach: Matt Zimolzak No. Player Pos. Year 1 Ron Noll WR-DB Sr. 2 Chris Raffin QB Sr. 4 Mitchell Murray DB Jr.

5 Antonio Passarelli WR 6 Michael Talesky RB-LB 7 Connor Fitzgerald WR 8 Nolan Engmann DL 10 Jarod Brace DB 11 Joey Caldren WR 13 Carter Padal QB 14 Charlie Ahmer QB 15 Michael Boland WR 16 Stefan Catama LB 17 Logan Gardner RB 18 Tony Baldacca K 20 Braden Schaefer WR 21 Patrick Roppolo DB 22 Bruno Bosman RB 25 Caleb Whiteside WR 27 Ryder Havens RB 28 Tommy Hablik DB 29 Aaron Gronewold DB 30 Tommy Jonen DB 31 Alfonso Tinajero DB 32 Alex Janke DB 33 Maverick Dehmlow RB 33 Luis Reales RB 34 Ryan Nelson DB 36 A.J. Henkle DB 37 Justin Teppen DB 38 Zach Kucz DB 39 Dominic Barone DB 40 Shahzaib Sheikh RB 41 Rukkus Hunkins LB 42 Sam Gorman LB 44 Tanner Crisp DL 45 Ben Calderone RB 47 Kaden Alther DL 48 Tyler Hirsch LB 49 Blake Octavviano LB 50 James Pedersen LB 51 Zane Lucas LB 52 Dylan Janke LB 53 Conor Rice LB 54 Brad Walker DL 55 Derek Isaily LB 56 Brady Wilke LB 57 Matt Burba DL 58 Evan Sweeney LB 59 Alec Wuestenfeld LB 60 Michael McGee DL 61 Bryan McCallister OL 64 Justin Oliver DL 66 Andrew Solis OL 68 Matt Kann OL 70 Josh Thomas OL 72 Ryan Braune OL 73 Cade Golembeck OL 76 Trevor Masten OL 77 Andrew Bartter OL 78 Brandon Klemenz OL 79 Antonio Quaranta OL 80 Thomas McDowell WR 81 Ryan Borek WR 85 Joey Precour WR 87 Joseph Mendoza RB 89 Davis Pasco WR 90 Connor Henning DL 92 Matt Guido DL 93 Nathan Schupbach DL 96 Alex Pitrone DL 97 Jackson Larkin DL 99 Colin Fitt DL Emanuel Perales DL

Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr.

Jacobs Coach: Bill Mitz No. Player Pos. Year 1 Josh Hill WR Sr. 2 Anthony Wilson QB Sr. 3 Nick Desmond WR Sr. 4 Brandon Van De Linde TE Sr. 5 Daniel Klein TE-DB Sr. 7 Max Stec QB-S So.

8 10 11 12 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 24 26 27 30 32 42 44 46 48 50 51 54 55 56 58 60 61 62 64 65 70 71 72 74 75 76 77 79 80 81 82 84 87 88 89

Chase Zientek WR Michael Dudzinski WR-DB Pat Castellano K Cole Bhardwaj QB Austin Leonard WR-DB Luis Corral WR-DB Evan Fridae RB-LB Riley Anderson WR-LB Jake Michels RB Nick Agenlian WR-DB Travis Tanner RB Brad Silva RB-DL Stephen Kavanaugh RB Tommy Subaric RB-S Aidan Sproule TE-LB Jacob Mobeck RB-LB Aidan Roberts RB-LB Adrian Acevedo RB-LB A.J. Scott FB-LB Trever Pankau TE-LB Helois Martinez OL-DL Robert Schuldt OL-DL Nick Zonta OL-DT Julian Fafan OL-DL Nic Caruso OL-DL Emijazon Spates OL-DL Sam Santi OL-DL Jacob Spychala OL-DL Brandon Barred OL-DL Zac Matovich OL-DL Jason Barred OL-DL George Trojanek OL-DL Seth Hoy OL-DL Ben Lubeley OL-DL Cade Portell OL-DL Zach Lewandowski OL-DL Antonio Carlos OL-DL Jacob WInsauer OL-DL Joey Price OL-DL Luke Wurster TE-LB Triston Wendel WR Christian Ancheta WR Matt Lodi WR-DB Ricky Coates K Ryan Golnick TE-LB Jaylen Shackelford WR

Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. So. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. So. Jr.

McHenry Coach: Jon Niemic No. Player Pos. Year 1 Matt Ezop QB-S So. 2 Tyler Lowrey WR-DB Sr. 3 Paul Zunkel FB-LB So. 4 Anthony Angeles WR-DB Jr. 5 Sean Richards WR-S Sr. 6 Kevin Dutkiewicz S Sr. 7 Chris Zieba QB Jr. 8 Adam Benton WR So. 11 Anthony Davenport WR-DB Sr. 17 Vic Monzon WR-S Jr. 18 Braden Crowley QB-DB Sr. 21 Daniel Hallaert FB-S Jr. 22 Jimmy Scheri TE-LB Sr. 23 Chris Parrish WR-DB Jr. 24 Brian Taylor LB Jr. 26 Zach Sytsma FB-LB Jr. 28 Brandon Curtin WR-S Jr. 30 Ryan Mischke WR-LB Jr. 32 Ryan Kneip FB-LB Sr. 34 Luke Peacock RB-DB Sr. 36 Alex Nowak TE-DE Jr. 40 Dawson Fallaw LB Jr. 44 Johan Campos DE Sr. 48 Logan Lucas WR-LB So. 51 Derek James OL-DL Sr. 53 Austin Arns OL-DL Sr. 55 Jacob Cowgill OL-DL Jr. 56 Angelo Rios OL-DL Sr. 59 Dakota Fallaw OL-DL Sr. 60 Sam Burton OL-DL Sr. 61 Jordan McCants OL-DL Sr.

ROSTERS Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr.

Prairie Ridge Coach: Chris Schremp No. Player Pos. Year 1 Brian Arellano WR Jr. 2 Ethan Kirchberg RB Sr. 3 Blake Brown RB Jr. 4 Jackson Willis FB Sr. 5 Charles Salerno DB Sr. 6 Ryan Kirchberg LB Sr. 7 Josh Crandall LB Jr. 8 Kyle Koelblinger DB Jr. 9 Connor Lydon QB Jr. 10 Paul Anderson WR Sr. 11 Keegan Garis WR Jr. 12 Reed Tomasiewicz DB Jr. 15 Adrian Rendon WR Jr. 16 Jared Lindquist LB Jr. 17 Dylan Steinkamp DL Sr. 18 Tim Rykowski DL Sr. 19 Trevor Schallie DL Sr. 20 Nick Hess DB Jr. 21 Matt Loucks LB Jr. 23 Paolo Dolleton LB Sr. 24 Drew Fryer DB Jr. 25 Taidhgin Trost QB So. 26 Ty Baker DB So. 27 Daniel Faccone TE Sr. 28 Tyler Crawford LB So. 29 Marko Mancini DB So. 30 Daniel Lewis DB Jr. 31 Jack Stone DB So. 32 George Bieschke RB So. 33 Carter Evans TE So. 34 Matt Porter RB So. 35 Brandon Minutillo TE Sr. 36 Patrick Coyle LB Jr. 39 Zach Bentsen RB Fr. 40 Hunter Wozny DL Jr 41 Patrick Gartner RB So. 43 William Powell RB So. 44 Tommy Evans LB So. 50 James Barnhart DL So. 52 George Concialdi OL Jr. 53 Aidan Dunican OL Jr. 54 Nate Dutkin DL Fr. 55 Cameron Gablenz OL Jr. 57 Ryan Pearson OL So. 60 Josh Barnhart DL So. 63 Jackson Wenrich DL Sr. 64 Preston Polizzi OL Jr. 66 Steel Blew LB Sr. 67 Michael Michalak OL Sr. 70 Andrew Renteria OL So. 73 Nick Mattran OL Jr. 75 Riley Smith OL Jr. 76 Jackson Rietz K So. 78 Tim Maguire OL Sr. 80 Brett Nygren DL Jr. 82 Sajiv Shah DB So. 87 Ryan Goudschaal TE Jr. 89 Anthony Pizzo DL Jr.

KISHWAUKEE RIVER CONFERENCE Burlington Central Coach: Brian Melvin No. Player Pos. Year 1 Andrew Solomon K Jr. 2 Matt Ganziano RB-LB Sr. 3 Mark Ganziano QB-DB So. 4 Johnny DiCostanzo QB-RB-LB Sr. 5 Jake Lenschow QB-DB Jr. 7 Matt Pearson WR-DB Sr. 8 Hunter Hodgson WR-LB Jr. 9 Marcus Goldthwaite WR-DB Sr. 10 Ethan Rodriguez WR-DB Jr. 11 Kyle Moring WR-LB Sr. 13 Layn Reynolds WR-DB Sr. 14 Kevin Niechajewicz LB Sr. 15 Ibrahim El-Helo RB-LB Sr. 16 Nathan Arians WR-DB Jr. 17 Travis Schambach RB-DL Sr. 19 Luke Thompson WR-LB Jr. 21 Justin Hupe WR-DB Sr. 22 Jack Westergaard WR-DB Jr. 24 Isaiah Bell RB-DB Jr. 26 Sawyer Perry LB Sr. 40 Bryce Rohl LB-DL Jr. 61 Jake Schmidt OL-DL Jr. 63 James Estes OL-DL Sr. 70 Michael Dubanowski OL-DL Jr. 71 Keandre Holmes OL-DL Sr. 77 Matt Muetterties OL-DL Jr. 78 Jake Borman OL-DL So.

Zach Collins RB-DL Sr.

Connor Hodgson OL-DL Jr.

Ryan Joseph OL-DL Jr.

Sam Kang RB-LB Sr.

Oliver Kerr DL Jr. Harvard Coach: Sean Saylor No. Player Pos. Year 1 Tony Rodriguez RB-LB Jr. 2 Dylan Perkins RB-LB So. 3 Dawson Wallner RB-DB Sr. 4 Jacob Stanley QB-DB So. 5 Omar Garcia RB-DB So. 6 Barnaby Rosales RB-DB Sr. 7 Javan Rodgers WR-DB Jr. 8 Martin Kelly TE-LB Jr. 9 Damon Mueller QB-DB Jr. 10 Ivan Guzman RB-DB So. 11 Damyan Michel RB-LB Jr. 20 Austin Kohley RB-DB So. 22 Shawn Bough TE-LB Sr. 23 Danny Pena RB-LB Sr. 30 Joey Galan TE-LB So. 32 Bryce Fiegel QB-DB So. 44 Adam Davis RB-LB So. 50 Victor Soto OL-DL Jr. 52 Ben Sandoval OL-DL Sr. 55 Jahkari Miller OL-DL Sr. 60 Marco Vazquez OL-DL Jr. 61 Zach Taylor OL-DL So. 66 Luis Roman OL-DL Jr. 70 Anthony Palella OL-DL Jr. 74 Thomas Kohley OL-DL Sr. 77 Alex Rodriguez OL-DL So. 80 Gavin Perkins WR-LB Sr. 85 Manny Santiago WR-DB Sr. 88 Trey Amaya TE-LB So.

Edwin Saavedra OL-DL So. Johnsburg Coach: Sam Lesniak No. Player Pos. Year 2 Casey Burnopp LB Jr. 3 Max Kegel WR-DB Jr. 4 Daniel Calhoun DB Jr. 5 Kevin Shaffer WR-LB Jr.

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 21 22 23 25 27 32 34 52 55 60 64 65 66 72 79 83

Ethan Shedbalker LB Jr. Kaden Divoky LB Jr. Jonny Preston WR-DB Sr. Gibson Groves WR-DB Sr. Dalton Ostrander WR-DB Jr. Alec Smith QB-DB Sr. Justin Peake RB-LB Jr. Augie Lichtenstein WR-LB Sr. David Claudio WR-DB Jr. Matt Harris WR-DB Sr. Jacob Morin RB-DB Jr. Casey Meland RB-LB Sr. Jacob McKinney RB-DB Jr. Kyle Muehlfelder WR-DB Sr. Jackson Vetter LB Jr. Jeff Pokuta LB Sr. Ryan Linkletter LB Sr. Eduardo Rodriguez OL-DL Sr. Tyler Prouty OL-DL Sr. Nic Mendoza OL-DL So. Ethan Rowe OL-DL Sr. Kyle Tinsley OL-DL Jr. Joey Comstock OL-DL Jr. Dawson Peter OL-DL So. Eric Johnson DL Sr. Cole Romano OL-DL Sr. Brody Haase OL-DL Jr. Johnathan Riska WR-DB Jr.

Marengo Coach: Paul Forsythe No. Player 1 Cole Davis 2 Nate Petska 3 Finn Schirmer 4 Cade Nolen 5 Mauricio Rivera 6 Jack Bibbings 7 Aaron Shepard 8 Travis Knaak 9 Niko San Miguel 10 Colton Lohff 15 Mitch Kunde 16 Zach Trotz 17 Elliot Resenbeck 19 Hunter Ervin 20 Colton Ervin 21 Logan Spengler 23 Joe Resendez 34 Zac Brandt 50 Danny Schenk 51 Sean Trainor 52 Justin Peters 53 Mason Feldt 54 J.R. Houghton 55 Blake Heinberg 56 Landon Oine 57 Jonah Pace 63 Grant Heinberg 73 Willy Arriola 75 Jagger Ferden 76 T.K. Reed

Pos. Year WR-DB So. WR-DB Sr. RB-DB Jr. RB-DB Sr. WR-DB Sr. WR-DB Sr. WR-DB Sr. QB-DB Sr. RB-DB Jr. WR-DB Sr. WR-DB So. QB-LB So. WR-DB Sr. WR-DB Sr. TE-LB Sr. WR-DB Jr. WR-DB Jr. RB-LB Sr. OL-DL Sr. OL-LB Jr. OL-DL Jr. OL-DL So. OL-DL Sr. OL-LB Sr. OL-DL So. OL-DL So. OL-DL So. OL-DL Sr. OL-DL Jr. OL-DL Jr.

Richmond-Burton Coach: Mike Noll No. Player Pos. Year 2 Steven Stientjes QB-DB Jr. 3 Connor Lima WR-DB Sr. 7 Moss Johnson WR-DB Sr. 8 Luke Uhwat QB-DB Sr. 10 Tyler Anderson RB-LB Jr. 12 Jack Langlois TE-DB Sr. 13 William Kirkelie WR-DB Sr. 14 Jason Stientjes WR-DB Jr. 16 Jeff Lin TE-DB Sr. 20 Connor Cook RB-LB Sr. 21 Devin Bailey WR-DB Sr. 22 Clayton Jarocki WR-DB Sr. 24 Race Zoetmulder TE-LB Jr. 25 Daniel Nick WR-DB Jr.

26 28 31 34 35 38 42 43 46 50 51 55 59 62 65 66 67 70 72 75 76 77 78 82 85

Maxx Lomas WR-DB Jr. Payton Minzey WR-DB Sr. Anthony Rivera WR-DB Sr. Cole Bialachowski OL-DL Jr. Nick Legnaioli WR-LB So. Jake Bassett WR-DB Jr. Carson Adams WR-DB Jr. Dalton Wood RB-LB Jr. Mike Kaufman RB-LB Sr. Nathan Scheiblhofer OL-LB Sr. Josh DuMont OL-DL Sr. Ryan Morris OL-DL Jr. Devin Gerstung OL-DL Jr. Alex Johnson OL-DL Jr. Dylan Szumanski RB-LB Sr. Nick Ross OL-DL Jr. Logan Grant OL-DL Jr. Maximus Wardanian OL-DL Jr. Kyle Curran OL-DL Sr. Parker Gibson OL-DL Sr. Blake Morjal OL-LB Jr. Tyler Roberts OL-DL Jr. Zechariah Davis OL-DL Jr. Connor Donohoe TE-DL Sr. Conrad Miller OL-DL Jr.

Woodstock Coach: Mike Brasile No. Player Pos. Year 1 Gavin White WR-DB Jr. 2 Gavin Conaster RB-LB Jr. 3 Carl Anderson Jr. QB-LB Sr. 4 Tyler Hinderliter RB-DL Sr. 5 Aidan Jacobs RB-DB Sr. 7 Michael Purkey QB Jr. 8 Austin Gibson RB-LB Jr. 9 Jonathan Cox WR-DB Sr. 10 Leo Lara-Gallegos WR-DB Jr. 12 Jerred Grell TE-LB Jr. 16 Zidane Garcia RB-LB Sr. 20 David Shinherr WR-DB Sr. 21 Angel Ayala WR-DB Sr. 22 Logan List WR-DB Sr. 27 Zach Heelein WR-DB So. 32 Connor Menzel RB-LB Sr. 34 Pablo Garcia WR-DB Jr. 35 Alex Wojnicki WR-LB So. 36 Clayton Grisolia WR-DB Jr. 44 Tomas Spokas WR-DB Jr. 47 Calub Casson RB-LB Sr. 51 Max Walrod OL-LB So. 52 Jacob Waryck OL-DL Sr. 53 Danny Cervantes OL-DL Jr. 54 Danny Cubert OL-DL Sr. 57 Marcos Ibanez OL-DL Jr. 61 Jonathan Perez OL-DL Sr. 64 Alexi Cazares OL-DL Sr. 65 Aiden Martys OL-DL Jr. 67 Matt Gardner OL-DL Jr. 70 Austin Arndt OL-DL Jr. 71 Gavin Butenschoen OL-DL Sr. 72 Logan Croner OL-DL Sr. 75 Matt Hickey OL-DL Sr. 77 Rafael Ortiz OL-DL Jr. 79 Claudio Zarate OL-DL Sr. 80 Andrew Adams WR-LB Sr. 81 Nathan Archambeau TE-DL So.

Connor Sternitzky OL-DL So.

Caleb Warmbier K Sr. Woodstock North Coach: Jeff Schroeder No. Player Pos. Year 2 Carter Coalson WR-DB Sr. 3 Cade Darling RB-DB Sr. 4 Bryce Nolan WR-DB Jr. 6 Ryan Zinnen QB-DB Jr. 12 Austin Zieman RB-DB Jr. 21 Elijah Pena RB-LB Jr. 22 Zach Stopczynski RB-LB Sr.

23 24 25 26 28 33 44 50 51 52 55 57 59 61 62 65 66 68 70 71 74 80 83 84 87

Colin Zinn WR-DB Jr. Dane Williams RB-DB Jr. Keith Webb Jr. RB-DB Sr. Ed Flores RB-LB Sr. Carlos Lopez RB-LB Sr. Andrew Pena RB-LB So. Marcus Baker-Bedrod TE-DL Sr. Matt Stevens OL-DL Sr. Jacob Brucker OL-DL Jr. Derek Freeman OL-DL Sr. Preston Langley OL-DL Sr. Mason Matthews OL-DL Jr. Hans Goll OL-DL Jr. Jordan Maldonado OL-LB Jr. Ben Brucker OL-DL Jr. Mason Riley OL-LB Jr. Matt Blalock OL-DL Sr. Sergio Velasco OL-DL Jr. Sean Jaco OL-DL Jr. Kyle Zang OL-DL Jr. Bradley Ricklefs OL-DL Jr. Ruben Martinez TE-LB Jr. Tyler Wilson TE-DL Jr. Dakota Sandberg WR-DB Jr. Eric Strzalka TE-LB Jr.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC CONFERENCE Marian Central Coach: Mike Maloney No. Player Pos. Year 3 Charlie Kramer WR-DB Sr. 4 A.J. Leidig RB-LB Sr. 5 Luke Rogers RB Jr. 7 Mark Holian DB-LB Sr. 9 Patsy Ricciardi QB Jr. 10 Harrison Stanko RB-DB Jr. 11 Bryce Radcliffe WR-DB Sr. 13 Joe Cimino WR-DB So. 15 Carter Dolter DB Jr. 16 Andrew Menner K-P Sr. 18 Ryan Conlon WR-DB So. 24 Bryce Shelton RB-DB So. 25 Kevin Ahler DB Jr. 27 Thomas Novakoski WR-DB Jr. 28 Cade Bokowy DB Sr. 33 Lou Gaddy LB So. 34 Maaz Haque DB-K Jr. 40 Kaden Randazzo LB So. 44 Austin Geils LB Jr. 54 Joey Pawlak OL-LB Jr. 55 Patrick Kelly OL-DL Sr. 61 Luke Dalton OL-DL Fr. 66 Mason Schwalbach OL-LB So. 71 Thor Paglialong OL-DL Sr. 74 Jayden Thiergood OL-DL Jr. 75 Colin Vallee OL-DL Sr. 76 Danny Dusik OL Sr. 77 Shane Gibson OL-DL Jr.

ILLINOIS 8-MAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION Alden-Hebron Coach: John Lalor No. Player Pos. Year 3 Aven Strobel RB-LB So. 9 Tomi Mor TE-CB Sr. 10 Brad Judson QB-LB Sr. 21 Dalton Kowal TE-LB So. 28 Justin Strand RB-LB Sr. 30 Thomas Webber WR-CB Fr. 52 Christian Henderson OL-DL So. 72 Tyler Cunningham OL-DL Fr. 74 Tommy Pahl OL-DL So. 79 Zach Herring OL-DL Jr. 82 Hannah Stephens WR-DB Fr. 84 Gideon Schauer TE-DL Sr. 89 Melanie Georgi WR-DB So. 93 Austin Stephens OL-DL So.

PREP FOOTBALL 2018 Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

62 Victor Aguilar-Campos OL-DL 64 Aidan Ferguson OL-DL 65 Nolan Wiese OL-DL 66 Jacob Lesus OL-DL 67 Steven Melvin OL-DL 68 Eddie Ferrenti OL-DL 69 Gabino Garcia OL-DL 70 Blake Weisenberger OL-DL 71 Zak Derflinger OL-DL 74 Zach Babincsak OL-DL 76 Zach Wiese OL-DL 86 John Lawrence TE-DE 88 Kevin Sandoval TE-DE 90 Alec Gasmann K

31

APPETIZERS • SANDWICHES • WRAPS • SALADS • WINGS • PIZZA • PASTAS

Gridiron...

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Thursday, August 23, 2018

PREP FOOTBALL 2018

32

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