Super 25 football countdown: No 3 Glenbard West
Aug 23, 2012
Known as a running school, Glenbard West, which is No. 3 in the Sun-Times’ preseason Super 25, has the weapons in place to air the ball out this season. But don’t expect the Hilltoppers to change their identity.
Super25 football countdown: No 4 WW South
Aug 23, 2012
Wheaton Warrenville South graduated its best player, current Northwestern slotback Dan Vitale, and all 11 defensive starters from last year’s Class 7A state championship game. The one place the Tigers — No. 4 in the Sun-Times’ preseason Super 25 — have some experience is the O-line.
Football: Frank Nicholas wins New Trier QB job
Aug 23, 2012
A concussion kept Frank Nicholas out of action last year, but the junior recently was selected as New Trier’s signal-caller over three other candidates.
Football: Lincoln-Way East on target for another big season
Aug 23, 2012
Lincoln-Way East has qualified for the state football playoffs for 11 straight seasons, every year of the school’s existence. The Griffins will be in serious contention for another postseason berth this fall.
Football: Ben Kleinhans now leading Metea Valley
Aug 23, 2012
Former Neuqua Valley assistant Ben Kleinhans has taken over the reins at Metea Valley, hoping to build on a program that went 4-5 last year, but faltered after a 3-0 start.
Football: Lincoln-Way Central aims for return to glory days
Aug 23, 2012
The coaches and players in the Lincoln-Way Central football program are well aware of the history. Their goal is return to the glory days.
Football: New coach Dave Ernst rushes to get Lincoln-Way West rolling
Aug 23, 2012
Lincoln-Way West has a new head coach in Dave Ernst, who said he learned some tricks of the trade from Matt Senffner, Rob Glielmi and Mark Vander Kooi, three coaches who enjoyed success during their careers.
Football: Neuqua Valley looking to break into top tier
Aug 23, 2012
Under the direction of new coach Bill Ellinghaus, Neuqua Valley will look for improvement over last season’s 5-5 record. The offense will lean on the prolific running back Joey Rhattigan, who rushed for 1,200-plus yards and 20 touchdowns last season.
Football: Expectations remain high at Sandwich
Aug 23, 2012
After back-to-back seasons that saw Sandwich’s football team reach the Class 4A semifinals and quarterfinals, the bulls-eye is squarely on its back. And the Indians wouldn’t have it any other way.
Football: Waubonsie ‘hungry’ for deep postseason run
Aug 23, 2012
After falling to 16th-seeded Belleville East in last season’s first round of the playoffs, Waubonsie Valley is eager to make amends, bolstered on offense by quarterback Dylan Warden, running back Austin Guido and tight end Troy Fumagalli.
Football: Elgin figures to have plenty of fight
Aug 23, 2012
Coach Dave Bierman will be the first to point out Elgin doesn’t have much depth on its varsity roster, but he doesn’t expect the lack of numbers to dampen his team’s competitive spirit.
Football: Streamwood hopes to take another step forward
Aug 23, 2012
Streamwood boasts three All-Upstate Eight River honorees and a Division-I bound wide receiver returning from the 2011 team that posted a 6-4 record and made the program’s first playoff appearance since 2002 last fall.
Football: Super 25 football countdown No 5 Mount Carmel
Aug 23, 2012
Quarterback Don Butkus and running back Draco Smith return for Mount Carmel, which won the 2011 Prep Bowl. The Caravan are No. 5 in the Sun-Times’ preseason Super 25, and will be looking for a deeper run in the IHSA playoffs after being knocked out in the second round last season by eventual Class 8A champ Bolingbrook.
Football: No ESPN but plenty to watch at Bolingbrook
Aug 23, 2012
Bolingbrook’s football team is honoring its commitment to Plainfield South and passed up an opportunity to play on ESPNU. However, the defending Class 8A state champion Raiders have plenty to watch again this season.
Football: Andrew Pyle powers Hinsdale Central defense
Aug 23, 2012
Behind returning quarterback Brian Owens, there are few doubts entering the season about Hinsdale Central’s ability to score points. Owens has tantalizing targets such as …
Football: Freshman quarterback, Steven Frank, gets starting nod at Oswego
Aug 23, 2012
Brian Cooney has made his first major decision as the new head coach at Oswego, selecting freshman Steven Frank to succeed three-year starter Ryan West at quarterback.
Football: Daunting schedule puts pressure on St Edward from start
Aug 23, 2012
St. Edward enters the 2012 season knowing one misstep could be enough to derail its hopes of returning to the playoffs, a lesson the Green Wave learned last year when it posted a 4-5 record and missed out on a trip to the postseason for the first time since 2008.
Football: New Huntley coach John Hart likes what he sees
Aug 23, 2012
When new Huntley coach John Hart assesses his squad, he doesn’t see a team that failed to reach the playoffs for the second straight season with last year’s 2-7 finish, but instead a team loaded with potential and ready to compete in the FVC Valley.
Football: Oswego East picking up the intensity
Aug 23, 2012
New Oswego East coach Tyson LeBlanc is picking up the pace at practice this season, hoping to see more energy and more intensity as the Wolves seek their first winning season in the history of the school.
Football: The future for Oak Park-River Forest’s Nile Sykes looks bright
Aug 23, 2012
College recruiters are starting to discover Oak Park-River Forest defensive lineman Nile Sykes.
Super 25 football countdown: No 7 Montini
Aug 23, 2012
Even after losing record-setting receiver Jordan Westerkamp and quarterback John Rhode to graduation, Montini, which is No. 7 in the Sun-Times’ preseason Super 25, returns plenty of talent on its quest for a Class 5A four-peat.
Super 25 football countdown: No 8 Joliet Catholic
Aug 23, 2012
Led by returning Sun-Times Player of the Year Ty Isaac, Joliet Catholic – No. 8 in the Sun-Times’ preseason Super 25 – again figures to have one of the state’s most explosive offenses.
Football: New players in key positions for Naperville Central
Aug 23, 2012
Following last season’s run to the state semifinals, Naperville Central junior quarterback Jake Kolbe will be heavily counted on to replace the production of the now-departed Ian Lewandowski, while senior running back Nick Thomas gets his chance to be a full-time running back.
Football: Kaneland starts season ahead of the curve
Aug 23, 2012
A year after seven sophomores helped Kaneland reach the semifinals of the Class 5A playoffs, coach Tom Fedderly welcomes back a veteran roster — including junior quarterback Drew David, junior running back Jesse Balluff, senior right tackle Alex Snyder and senior WR/DB Kory Harner.
Football: Joliet Catholic anything but a one-man show
Aug 23, 2012
Reigning Sun-Times Player of the Year Ty Isaac gets the publicity, and rightfully so, but Joliet Catholic’s football team is anything but a one-man show.
Football: Shoring up defense is Naperville North’s priority
Aug 23, 2012
Naperville North finished 5-5 last season, surrendering an average of 35.7 points a game during a season-closing three-game losing streak. Coach Sean Drendel said the Huskies might have some ‘growing pains’ on defense but is expecting improvement on that side of the ball later in the season.
Football: Yorkville seeking improvement up front
Aug 23, 2012
Yorkville coach Karl Hoinkes and his assistants are emphasizing the need for better play along the offensive and defensive lines as the Foxes try to take the next step after finishing one win shy of playoff eligibility last season.
Football: Outlook mixed for Bartlett entering season
Aug 23, 2012
On one hand, Bartlett is loaded on defense with four All-Upstate Eight Valley honorees back in the fold. On the flip side, the Hawks are undergoing an overhaul on offense after losing all of their top playmakers from last year’s UEC Valley championship team.
Football: Benet looking for improvement on offense
Aug 23, 2012
Because the Benet offense struggled so mightily throughout the 1-8 season in 2011, the Redwings’ defense was constantly put in bad spots but battled to keep them competitive. Now that is a point of optimism for coach Pat New in 2012.
Football: Kameron Hargrove, Korey Rogers keys for Joliet West
Aug 23, 2012
Running backs/receivers Kameron Hargrove and Korey Rogers have speed and are in their third varsity seasons. They will be keys as Joliet West attempts to improve on the 2-7 record it posted in each of its two seasons after its return to a separate program.
Football: Joliet Central relying on defense
Aug 23, 2012
Joliet Central hopes to score its first football victories since its return to a separate program a couple of years ago. If that is to happen, first-year head coach Brett Boyter says defense will be a key factor.
Football: South Elgin trying to fit its pieces together
Aug 23, 2012
Several new faces are the story at South Elgin this season. The Storm is going back to the drawing board after posting a 4-5 record last fall
Super 25 football countdown: No 9 Glenbard North
Aug 23, 2012
Quarterback Brian Murphy, running back Justin Jackson and receiver Ryan Storto are among the impact players who could make Glenbard North’s offense effective once again. The Panthers are No. 9 in the Sun-Times’ preseason Super 25.
Football: Quarterback competition continues at Batavia
Aug 23, 2012
Senior Daniel Albrecht and junior Micah Coffey have battled all summer for the starting quarterback spot at Batavia. With just a week left before the season opener, coach Dennis Piron has yet to name a Week 1 starter.
Football: Zach Cinnamon spices potent Morris attack
Aug 23, 2012
Zach Cinnamon transferred in from Streator and will quarterback what already figured to be a potent Morris offense.
Football: Marmion seeks redemption after injury-plagued 2011 campaign
Aug 23, 2012
The Marmion football team is seeking redemption after a injury-plagued campaign in 2011. The Cadets will face a rugged schedule that includes quality opponents such as Jacobs, Marian Central, Montini, Aurora Christian and St. Francis.
Football: Larkin hoping to maximize potential
Aug 23, 2012
Short on numbers, Larkin will rely on some brawn up front and a united roster to make a push to reach the playoffs for the first time since qualifying five years ago. Alex Schabert and Adam Hamiel are two experienced linemen who figure to pave the way in 2012.
Football: Joe Hoscheit back to lead hungry St Charles East
Aug 23, 2012
After two straight 0-5 starts resulted in 3-6 seasons, St. Charles East knows a quicker start is critical in 2012. Senior fullback/linebacker Joe Hoscheit should help the cause as he brings toughness and leadership to both sides of the ball.
Football: St Charles North hopes to send Mark Gould out a winner
Aug 23, 2012
In his final season at St. Charles North, retiring North Stars coach Mark Gould would rather keep the focus on his players. The Stars have a lot to focus on this season, too, especially at the skill positions on offense.
Super 25 football countdown: No 10 Simeon
Aug 23, 2012
With Elcee Burke taking over as Simeon’s starting quarterback, the Wolverines’ offense could go in a different direction this fall. But the Public League power, which is ranked No. 10 in the Sun-Times’ preseason Super 25, is setting its goals as high as ever.
Football: Lemont looks to extend playoff run
Aug 23, 2012
Lemont has been to the state quarterfinals or beyond every year since 2007. This year, the Indians are stocked well enough to continue that run.
Football: Bright lights nothing new to Providence
Aug 23, 2012
Providence opens its season at home Aug. 24 against Joliet Catholic, and the game will be televised on ESPNU. Coach Mark Coglianese said when you play at Providence, you expect to be in the limelight.
Football: Lockport hoping to build off turnaround season
Aug 23, 2012
Lockport’s football team finished 7-4 in 2011, Don McKillip’s first as the Porters’ head coach. Lockport hopes to build off last season and earn another trip to the playoffs.
Super 25 football countdown: No 11 St Rita
Aug 23, 2012
With a veteran offensive line and two returning backs, St. Rita – No. 11 in the Sun-Times’ preseason Super 25 – looks to ride its running game to another successful season.
Super 25 football countdown: No 12 Stevenson
Aug 23, 2012
Though Stevenson graduated several major-college recruits from a Class 8A quarterfinalist that ended Maine South’s run of state titles, the Patriots – No. 12 in the Sun-Times’ preseason Super 25 – look to have the pieces in place for another solid season.
Super 25 football countdown: No 13 Marist
Aug 23, 2012
Quarterback Ian Woodworth and receiver Nic Weishar return to lead Marist, which aims to improve defensively in 2012. The RedHawks are No. 13 in the Sun-Times’ preseason Super 25.
Super25 football countdown: No 14 Wheaton North
Aug 23, 2012
Wheaton North lost all five starters and the top two reserves from an offensive line that helped the team to an 8-3 record last season. But the Falcons, who are No. 14 in the Sun-Times’ preseason Super 25, return quarterback John Peltz, running back Patrick Sharp and enough key defensive players to challenge for the DuPage Valley Conference crown.
Super 25 football countdown: No 15 Lincoln-Way East
Aug 23, 2012
Lincoln-Way East graduated one of the state’s premier passing tandems in quarterback Blake Winkler and receiver Jason Robertson. But there’s still plenty of talent returning for the Griffins, who are No. 15 in the Sun-Times’ preseason Super 25.
Super 25 football countdown: No 16 Hinsdale Central
Aug 23, 2012
Veteran quarterback Brian Owens and an improved running game are reasons for optimism for Hinsdale Central, which is No. 16 in the Sun-Times’ preseason Super 25.
Football: Naperville North opens with ‘great enthusiasm’
Aug 23, 2012
Naperville North officially got its 2012 season under way Wednesday, holding its first practice. The Huskies are hoping to rebound from a 5-5 season and first-round exit from the playoffs.
