RANK, TEAM
1. Lockport
Two-time state champion and nationally ranked Porters boast 13 returnees, led by second-team All-State quarterback Jake Christensen, who is rated the third-best QB in the country. After passing for 3,686 yards and 33 TDs, Christensen made an oral commitment to Iowa. He is backed by OT Matt Boyce (6-4, 275), G John Driscoll (6-2, 260),WRs George Kadlec and Zack Lammers, LB Mike Shaub (6-2, 250) and PK Matt Ludwig.
2. Maine South
Class 8A runner-up to Lockport has eight returning starters, including All-State QB Sean Price, who passed for 4,751 yards and 55 TDs. There’s also two-way lineman Tony Colletti (6-3, 265), G Pat Burke (6-3, 300), DT Tef Zecevic (6-0, 245) and WRs Derek Walsh, Lewis Borselino and Tyler Knight.Watch for junior RB Jake Bachmeier.
3. Wheaton Warrenville South
The 8A quarterfinalist features OT Dace Richardson (6-6, 300),OT Mike Smith (6-6, 325), TE Tony Moeaki (6-4, 250), G Grant Nemeth (6-4, 250) WR Matt Stevens (6-6, 225) and junior DT/FB Chris Arthurs (6-2, 265). Richardson and Moeaki are rated among the top players in the nation.
4. Barrington
This 8A quarterfinalist returns 10 starters, including the nation’s No. 1- rated offensive lineman, 6-6, 290-pound Dan Doering, along with linemates Eric Lindeen (6-3, 300),Otis Hudson (6-6, 285) and Andy Laue (6-4, 275)–all Division I prospects.They’ll protect four-year QB Garrett Seeger and open holes for RBs Drew Janes and Andrew Anderson, cousin of ex-Northwestern standout Damien Anderson.
5. Joliet Catholic
Shooting for its third state title in four years with 11 returnees including RBs Bill McKeon and Chris Clancy, QB John Kiernan, All-State LB Chris Jeske, TE Tim Brown (6-3, 240) and linemen A.J. Tomich (5-9, 250), Dan Grubisich (5-10, 245),Matt Gurka and DB Kevin Platt.
6. St. Rita
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Watch out for this 7A semifinalist that features All-State RB Wade Weyer, nationally rated QB Mike Kafka, second-team All-State OT Jack Byrne (6-3, 295),OT Jim O’Connor (6-3, 285) G Neal Burnett (6-0, 280) and DTs Chris Williams (6-3, 255) and Bernard Cooper (6-2, 235).
7. Providence
Knights welcome back 13 starters from 6A quarterfinalist, including QB Casey Colbert, All-State kicker Bobby Kelsey, TE Kyle Cornwell (6-4, 245), RBs Parker Cleveland and Bryan Bergbower and defensive leaders Pat Stephens, Derek Sexton, Pat Lenahan, Gannon Novak and Chris Korhonen, son of Richards coach Gary Korhonen.
8. Downers Grove North
The 7A semifinalist returns 13 starters–nine on defense–led by All- State DT/OT Cody Cielinski (6-2, 265), DT Danny Glover (6-0, 265), DEs Daniel Lutz and Richard O’Rourke, LB Matt Briscoe and DB Mike Tokarski. Junior Garrett Edwards takes over at QB for his graduated older brother Tom.
9. Morris
Looking to avenge last year’s 14-10 quarterfinal loss to Joliet Catholic behind 14 returnees led by QB Zach Jones (6-7, 215), junior RB John Dergo, WR/DB Eric Edwards, LBs Eric Lines and Chad McClintock,OT Ramon Diaz (6-5, 265),OT Ryan Mosier (6-5, 275), G Mark Kopczick (6- 2, 330) and junior DE/TE Jamie Cumbie (6-7, 255), a transfer from South Carolina.
10. Mt. Carmel
Out to atone for last year’s 6-6 season, the school’s worst since 1978, the Caravan return 12 starters including QB Dan Daigler, RB Nick Hoffbauer, linemen Conor Grant, Chuck Smith, Steve Flerick, Chris Riley and DBs Dave Granville, Luke Keller and Tim Bax.
11. Glenbard North
Seniors are 27-2 including undefeated seasons as freshmen and sophomores. Among the 11 returnees are RB Matt Smith, DT Brandon Poulos (5-9, 260), DE John Broz, LB Steve Petzel and G Ryan Grant (6-3, 240).
12. Prospect
Seeking third title in four years, the 7A semifinalist is led by WR/DB Matt Davis, TB Tom Pappas, G Eric Hedstrom (6-7, 275), defensive front four Kyle Kudelka,Vann Osei,Mike Kriegermeier and Alex Stoganov, QB Matt Bowman and WR Scott Winters.
13. Naperville North
Perennial power will be dangerous with four-year starting QB Greg Wunderlich and all-purpose breakaway threat Zac Canty. Also,watch RB/LB Matt Feece (6-5, 225), C Andy Greenawalt, LB Jon Panosh, WR/DB Casey Weidenbacher, DB Kyle Clarke and RB Brandon Huggins.
14. Morgan Park
Public League’s best returns 14 starters from last year’s 7A quarterfinalist headed by WR Orlando Moore and DB Melvin Rice. LB Sam Porter (6-3, 235) is another college prospect, and the Mustangs have Ronald McClennon (6-1, 275) and Billy Prince (6-0, 265) side-by-side on the defensive line. The offensive line features German Morales (6-3, 275) and Allen Moore (6-1, 295) blocking for FB Mozale McHenry (5- 11, 255), QB Demetrius Jones and RB Matthew Harris.
15. Richards
Wisconsin-bound breakaway back Dion Foster heads the 15 returning starters for the 6A qualifier, and there’s more speed with WRs Tim Marcell and Mark Williams and RB Wayne Spires. Juniors Jim Moore (6- 3, 280) and Bob Uzandenis (6-4, 225) anchor the offensive line while the defense is led by LBs Sean Bailey, David Fikac and Dan Rook, DT Josh Moseley (5-9, 248) and DB Mike Lepper.
16. Lincoln-Way East
Biggest challenge for Lockport in the SICA Blue with a lineup featuring 10 juniors and three sophomores. The defense is led by senior lineman Kyle Bookhout, sophomore DT/C Adam Gettis (6-4, 246) and LB Ryan Daly. Sophomore QB Andrew Aramus ignites the offense along with RB Jared Washington, RB Vince Zager, and FB Gus Olofsson.
17. Stevenson
Former Bear Robin Earl’s son, Preston (6-3, 200), is the junior QB leading the offense while ex-Bear Jim Morrissey’s son, Mike (6-3, 205), is the junior LB heading up the Patriots defense. Also among the 13 returnees are RB Carl Johnson, FB Justin Dickinson, RT Jake Wertz (6-5, 300), RG Chris Reichardt (6-2, 290) and LG Matt Groot (6-3, 265).
18. Conant
Seniors are 18-2 the last two seasons, and among the 12 returnees are QB John Kosrow, RB Tyler Rice, WR John Navarre, C Dan Zeller (6-3, 265),OT Tim Connery (6-6, 275),OT Eric Kokenas (6-1, 260), DT/G Ryan Drake (6-0, 240), DE Billy Powers and TE John Madden.
19. Brother Rice
Crusaders return 10 starters from 8A semifinalist including DTs Chuck Manthei (6-3, 240) and Joe Welsh (6-3, 240), LBs Scott Hayden and Pat Walsh, DB/RB Joe Gibson, RB Jim Buckley, WB Scott Linn, OT John Lydon (6-3, 250) and G Joe Novesel.
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20. Bolingbrook
Raiders return game-breaking nucleus of QB Javon Stewart,WR Carl Fisher, RB Dale Martin and WR Mark Brown that is augmented by Romeoville transfers FB/LB Anthony Morrison (5-11, 220) and RG Jorge Alvarez (6-0, 280), who will line up alongside RT Ohene Wiate- Ababio (6-8, 330). Proviso East transfer DeAnte Jenkins (6-0, 260) and Bartlett transfer P.J. South (6-4, 225) enhance the defense.
On the verge: Oswego, Carmel, Hinsdale Central, Neuqua Valley, Lane