Coach: Pat Pistorio (first season)
Last season: 2-7 (0-5 Central Suburban South), did not make playoffs.
First-and-10: Pistorio arrives after a successful five-year tenure at South Elgin, and he is looking to lift a program that has won just three times since reaching the Class 7A quarterfinals in 2015. Versatile senior quarterback Tremaine Conner will lead a spread offense that has some talent at the skill positions but inexperience on the line. Senior receiver Myles Davis could be the go-to guy, and junior Christopher Harris and senior Jaelyn White should also be targets. Junior running back Jordan Jackson has some size at 6-foot-2, and speedy freshman Giovanni Milam-Pryor is only the second ninth-grader Pistorio has ever elevated to varsity. “We have some kids with speed and quickness, and we’ll be finding ways to get them the ball in space,” Pistorio said.
Three-and-out: The Vikings’ defensive strength should be the secondary, where Davis is expected to excel at safety and White could be a standout cornerback. Senior Jonathan Negron will set the tone at linebacker, while junior Osman Elkheir is a two-way lineman who does some of his best work at defensive end. Senior Sayvon Davis is a flashy kick returner.
Keep an eye on: Pistorio’s first coaching staff, which features several holdovers and an exciting newcomer. Two of the coaches are recent Division I standouts. Pistorio will call the plays, and Gary Paustian returns as defensive coordinator. Offensive line coach Ryan Schlieper was a three-year starting lineman at Pitt from 2011-13. New special teams coach Venric Mark was a first-team All-American as a punt returner at Northwestern. Meanwhile, former Niles North varsity head coach Mark Egofske will coach the freshman team three years after leading the varsity to back-to-back playoff appearances. Niles North won’t field a sophomore team. “I’ve always tried to have some balance (on the staff) with some veterans, which we do have, and some of the young guys, who bring some new ideas,” Pistorio said.
Game to watch: Aug. 24 vs. Raby. The Vikings will look to get the Pistorio era off on the right foot against last year’s Class 4A state semifinalist.
2018 schedule
8/24 RABY, 7
8/31 at Marian Central, 7:30
9/7 PROSPECT, 7
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9/14 at Rolling Meadows, 7:30
9/21 at Glenbrook South, 7
9/28 at Maine South, 7
10/5 NEW TRIER, 7
10/12 at Niles West, 7
10/19 EVANSTON, 7