Top 10 Teams
1. Mount Carmel (14-0): Senior running back Darrion Dupree (Wisconsin), who also has a late offer from Alabama, looks to be the best all-around player for defending Class 7A state champions, but junior quarterback Jack Elliott also will play prime-time role in Caravan’s passing-style offense.
2. Lincoln-Way East (13-1): Powerhouse Griffins rarely have three-year starters, but offensive linemen Josh Janowski and Mike Lombardo, defensive lineman David Wuske and linebacker Conner Durkin all played as sophomores and are back. Finished second last season in Class 8A.
3. St. Rita (10-3): With 10 returning starters, first-year coach Martin Hopkins doesn’t inherit bare cupboard. Senior running back DJ Stewart, who ran for 1,362 yards a year ago, and senior quarterback Jett Hilding lead returnees. Mustangs make big move from CCL/ESCC Green to Blue.
4. Marist (7-4): RedHawks, with just three starters returning on offense and three on defense, look to reload again. Senior running back Marc Coy, strong and tough like a bull, has offers from Roosevelt and St. Thomas. Owen Winters, a senior, takes over for Dermot Smyth at quarterback.
5. Providence (9-5): Senior running backs Jamari Tribett and Kaden Nickel are ready to lead way, but unlike last season, Celtics won’t be sneaking up on anyone after going 5-4 in regular season before finishing second in Class 4A. Junior defensive back Gavin Hagan is on Division I radar screens.
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6. Brother Rice (7-5): Crusaders tout big-time playmakers in senior quarterbacks Marcus Brown and Ryan Hartz, senior running back Randall Nauden and junior linebacker Christian Pierce. Brutal opening schedule features road games against Maine South, Marist, St. Ignatius and Class 8A state champion Loyola.
7. Lemont (12-1): Nathan Kunickis (Brown), who played a variety of positions on offense, defense and special teams, takes over at quarterback. First-year coach Willie Hayes also has Division I recruit in offensive lineman Jacob Katauskas (Coastal Carolina). Ten returning starters provide boost.
8. Joliet Catholic (8-3): Senior running back HJ Grigsby, who ran for 1,362 yards and 16 touchdowns, is huge threat for offense that returns eight starters. Senior defensive lineman Dillan Johnson (Wisconsin) is a force. Hilltoppers were ousted from playoffs by Providence, and two teams meet again Sept 1.
9. Lockport (5-5): Injuries took toll on Porters last year, but it allowed younger players to gain experience. Senior linebacker Jameson Clark leads seven returning started on defense. Senior quarterback/free safety Drew Gallagher is dangerous on both sides of the ball.
10. Homewood-Flossmoor (6-4): Junior-driven team might be a year away, but Vikings will be dangerous nonetheless. Junior defensive tackles Jarve Bey Jr. and Cameron Brooks are Division I prospects. Junior running back Michael Terrell and sophomore wide receiver/running back Myles Ellis are explosive.
The 25 Players to Watch
Austin Alexander, Marian Catholic, senior, defensive back; Christos Alexandros, Lockport, senior, offensive lineman; Cameron Brooks, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, defensive end/tackle; Jovan Clark, Morgan Park, junior, safety; Cole Crafton, Lincoln-Way West, senior, quarterback; Marc Coy, Marist, senior, running back; Darrion Dupree, Mount Carmel, senior, running back; Conner Durkin, Lincoln-Way East, senior, linebacker; Chris Durr, Morgan Park, senior, receiver; HJ Grigsby, Joliet Catholic, senior, running back; Tysean Griffin, Morgan Park, senior, athlete; Gavin Hagan, Providence, junior, defensive back; Josh Janowski, Lincoln-Way East, senior, offensive lineman; Dillan Johnson, Joliet Catholic, senior, defensive lineman; Jake Katauskas, Lemont, senior, offensive lineman; Nathan Kunickis, Lemont, senior quarterback/linebacker; James Kingsbury, St. Rita, junior, linebacker; Tyler Lofton, Marian Catholic, junior, running back; Andre Lovett, Eisenhower, junior, defensive back; Michael McDonough, Andrew, junior, offensive lineman; Randall Nauden, Brother Rice, senior, running back; Braden Tischer, Lincoln-Way East, senior, quarterback; Christian Pierce, Brother Rice, junior, linebacker; Parker Startz, Mount Carmel, senior, linebacker; DJ Stewart, St. Rita, senior, running back.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.