1. Joliet Catholic
Comment: Who’s going to stop 6-foot-3-inch, 225-pound All-Stater J.R. Zwierzynski running behind Mike Kolodziej (6-8, 285), Steve Douglas (6-4, 275) and Kris Anastopoulos (6-6, 300)? The two-time defending state champion also returns QB Craig Tomasino, RB Chris Gruber, WR Jake Jaworski and LBs Ryan Lincoln and Ross Crampton.
2. Mt. Carmel
Comment: Three-time defending champion is focused on winning its 10th state title behind QB John Mulchrone, RBs Tom Brown and Greg Owens and game-breaking WR Enrique Cook. The Caravan’s stingy defense will feature LBs Niall Campbell and Tom Treadway along with an in-your-face secondary of Nick Orlando, J.P. McGlynn and Rocky Angone.
3. Naperville Central
Comment: Injuries sabotaged the Redhawks’ run for a championship last season, but QB Phil Horvath has a year of experience after filling in for Owen Daniels, now at Wisconsin. His primary target will be WR Tyke Spencer, and watch for RB Kyle Griffith to have a breakout year behind the blocking of Jeff Houghtaling (6-3, 300), Jeff Burdorf (6-2, 300), Brad Shipley (6-0, 265) and Brendan Baskin (6-1, 250).
4. Naperville North
Comment: Double-wing running attack should be devastating, with Steve Sarm, Corey McKeon and Mike Costantino rushing behind Marty Fornelli (6-5, 260) and Jarrett Lassa (6-4, 265). Could freshman sensation Greg Wonderlich be starting at quarterback by midseason?
5. Maine South
Comment: David Inserra takes over for longtime coach Phil Hopkins and will have four Division I prospects to work with, including WR/S Mark Ori, who set a school record with nine interceptions last season and OT Mike Zande (6-5, 280). QB Tony Wnek could be even better than the graduated Shawn Kain, who led the Hawks to the 6A title last year.
6. Providence
Comment: Could be coach Matt Senffner’s best team since the four-peat champion of 1997 as 1,800-yard rusher Mike Mentz follows the blocking of Brian Lydigsen (6-2, 270) and Matt Rogers (6-4, 265). Derrick Knapczyk (6-3, 275) will power a defensive line ably supported by LBs Matt Eggert (6-3, 235) and Rory Steinbach (6-3, 195).
7. Wheaton Warrenville South
Comment: A dozen returning starters from last season’s 6A playoff qualifier should make retiring coach John Thorne’s final campaign a memorable one. Heading the list of returnees are QB Dan Brauer, PK/DE Luka Ulicevic and WR Nathan Munson. The vaunted passing attack should be in good hands, with Brauer also searching out Kyle Englehart (6-4, 210) and junior Brett Adamson.
8. New Trier
Comment: Powerful Trevians will battle Maine South for Central Suburban South supremacy with an explosive offense featuring QB Mike Duda (18 touchdown passes), RB Ryan Spellman, FB Chris Peters and game-breaking WR Lewis Powell. Coach Dan Mortier’s ballclub appears headed toward its eighth straight postseason.
9. Thornton
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Comment: Following in the footsteps of older brother Antwaan, Marcus Randle El is ready to display the QB skills that some say are more advanced as a sophomore than the current Indiana star at the same age. Wildcats also boast junior WR Brandon Tobias (6-5, 195), who could be the state’s top recruit next season, along with QB/RB Antonio Tribble, LB Jamar (CQ) White, DT Mike Berry and WR/DB Frank Sanders.
10. Lincoln-Way Central
Comment: This could be the last title contender for a while as the Knights have split into two schools. Central retains the senior class, which features DT/FB Rob Ninkovich, LB Joe Ambrosino, WR/DB Anthony Bagnara and DL Phil Schafer.
11. Richards
Comment: The schools returns most of its players from last year’s 5A quarterfinalist, led by LB/WR Duran Johnson (scholarship offer from Illinois), RB Jason Orozco, OT Mike Jones (6-5, 270), LB Ricky Rodriguez and Division I-caliber kicker Eric Lis. Senior Chris Humbles and sophomore Sean Lewis are batting for the QB position.
12. Plainfield
Comment: Not many programs can replace the best running back in school history (Jake Shields) with a sophomore such as Kenny Williams Jr., who may one day break all of Shields’ records. Among the dozen returnees from last year’s 6A quarterfinalist are QB Justin Quatrano, RB Chris Bahde and WRs Erik Cederblad and Brandon Shreve.
13. Sandburg
Comment: Coach Mike Navarro’s best player is his son, Steve Navarro, a 6-2, 225-pound LB/TE who will line up alongside the Eagles’ biggest offensive front in quite a while. Other standouts include WR Geoff Orr, OT Tom Bodak (6-4, 255), NT Dave Constantine and DB Chris Schulte.
14. Bolingbrook
Comment: Bursting with talent, coach Phil Acton’s program boasts eight college prospects led by WR Jon Hall, junior RB A.J. Johnson and QB Derell Jenkins. The Raiders’ offensive line features 6-8, 330-pound Joe Szczepanik–who’s being recruited by Miami, Michigan and Northwestern, among others–along with Joseph Penrod (6-4, 275) and Antonio Little (6-0, 270).
15. Downers Grove South
Comment: Heading up the dozen returning starters from last fall’s 6A quarterfinalist is 6-4, 180-pound QB Mike Cuzzone, who will throw often to WR Kent Hughes while being protected by OT Kevin Gage (6-5, 275). The defense is led by LB Paul Niznik (6-0, 230) and CBs Josh Wieties and Jake Martin.
16. Downers Grove North
Comment: No more Kyle Kleckner, who accounted for much of the Trojans’ offense last year, but coach Pete Ventrelli welcomes back 13 starters from last year’s team that lost 21-20 to Downers South in the second round of the 6A playoffs. This year’s offense revolves around RB Erryn Cobb, QB Jim Sharwarko and WR John Lyerly.
17. Riverside-Brookfield
Comment: Don’t miss this crowd-pleasing aerial circus with second-team All-State QB Tim Brasic (3,190 yards passing, 35 TDs) operating a five-receiver, no-back attack. His top targets are All-Stater Tom Guardi, (1,118 yards, 16 TDs), special-mention All-Stater Matt George (1,074 yards, six TDs), Matt Tierney and Shatone Powers. The defense is led by 6-6, 220-pound LB Steve Kielp.
18. Hubbard
Comment: When outstanding LB Reggie Cribbs returns in a few weeks from a stress fracture in his shin, the Greyhounds will be back at full strength. Also among the nine returnees from last year’s 5A semifinalist are junior QB Nick Davis, RB Billy Glover, WR/S Martell Taylor, DT Sam Fullerton (5-11, 275), G Sam Ross and LB Joe Christian.
19. Hinsdale South
Comment: Some prognosticators think the Hornets could displace Downers South as the West Suburban Gold champion. Coach Jim Kirwan’s club features QB Sam Louise, Illinois-bound FB Mike Trepina (6-3, 250), RB Greg Cozzi and DT Jerome Roberts (6-4, 305).
20. Libertyville
Comment: Wildcats are picked to win a close race in the North Suburban Lake, with Stevenson and Warren in pursuit. Looking to improve on last year’s 6A second-round finish are Colorado-bound RB Gerett Burl, FB Jamie Klassman, LB Jack Long and a highly talented junior class.