Batavia and St. Charles North bring back the most talent, but keep an eye on powerful Geneva.
Top 10 Teams
1. Batavia (12-2)
Junior quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren takes reins to lead explosive offense after breakout playoff run, sharing the job and leading Bulldogs to Class 7A state championship game. Brett Berggren, who had 847 yards receiving, returns along with veteran line anchored by Ryan Myers (Princeton). Young defense will develop.
2. St. Charles North (9-2)
Senior wide receiver Keaton Reinke (Northwestern) leads loaded North Stars, who have 10 or more colllege recruits on roster. Strong offensive line protects senior quarterback JT Padron, a St. Charles East transfer. Senior linebackers Matthew Plumb and Aidan McClure headline defense.
3. Geneva (12-2)
Heavy graduation losses include Talyn Taylor (Georgia), the 2024 Beacon-News/Courier-News Football Player of Year. But reigning Class 6A state finalists return six defensive starters, led by trio of seniors in lineman Lex Griffith, linebacker Tyler Drake and safety Dane Turner. Development of junior quarterback Ben Peterson, who has Division I offers before first varsity start, will be key.
4. Oswego (10-1)
Graduation losses leave Panthers with plenty of holes to fill but talent returns in senior receiver Teddy Manikas, junior safety Dontrell Young and senior safety Mariano Velasco as well as senior running back Dekker Zelensek. Program was very strong last year on lower levels.
5. Jacobs (7-3)
Senior running back Caden DuMelle has totaled 2,273 yards and 23 touchdowns in two seasons and leads strong ground game behind senior quarterback Connor Goehring, who threw just one interception last fall. Golden Eagles aim for program-record fifth straight playoff appearance. Sophomore linebacker Jack Coates led team in tackles.
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6. West Aurora (10-1)
Senior quarterback Mason Atkins (Ball State) returns for third season to lead defending Upstate Eight West champs. Senior linemen Kieran Duncan and Alfonso Aguilar are back to protect him, while senior linebackers Kellen Younie and Will Gray lead defense. Senior standout Lesroy Tittle a Nazareth transfer, will play factor on both offense and defense.
7. Burlington Central (8-3)
Rockets return 13 starters, including veteran line anchored by senior Zach Hultgren (Miami Ohio) from program’s first playoff qualifier in 10 years that won in first round and pushed Geneva in second. Coach Brian Iossi believes still-hungry team will contend for Fox Valley Conference title.
8. Waubonsie Valley (5-5)
Colin Ford, a 6-5 senior who has offer from Wyoming, takes reins at quarterback but has college scouts thinking he could be tight end prospect too. Senior wideout Gavin Ali-Hanlon could be favorite target as Warriors chase second straight playoff appearance. Senior running back/defensive end Ishmaiah Elliott intrigues.
9. South Elgin (6-4)
Wheaton St. Francis transfer Gavin Mueller (Colorado), a senior tight end, has garnered bulk of attention for Storm this offseason after committing to coach Deion Sanders. Junior quarterback Carter McDonald, Mueller’s former lacrosse teammate, will be equally important for team to challenge for Upstate Eight West title.
10. Kaneland (5-5)
Knights started six sophomores last season, earning a playoff spot against challenging schedule. Repeat should be in order led by senior quarterback Jalen Carter, another Wheaton St. Francis transfer. Senior two-way lineman Jake Buckley and senior running back Carter Grabowski should help on offense, while senior safety Brady Alstott headlines defense.
The 50 Players to Watch
- Alfonso Aguilar, West Aurora, senior, offensive lineman.
- Gavin Ali-Hanlon, Waubonsie Valley, senior, wide receiver/kicker/defensive back.
- Brady Alstott, Kaneland, senior, defensive back.
- Mason Atkins, West Aurora, senior, quarterback.
- Jack Beetham, Yorkville, senior, quarterback.
- Brett Berggren, Batavia, senior, wide receiver.
- Grant Bohr, Aurora Central Catholic, senior, quarterback.
- Jake Buckley, Kaneland, senior, offensive lineman.
- Alexander Carter, East Aurora, junior, wide receiver/defensive back.
- Jalen Carter, Kaneland, senior, quarterback.
- Ja’Marcus Cole, Streamwood, senior, defensive lineman.
- Caden Dumelle, Jacobs, senior, running back.
- Kieran Duncan, West Aurora, senior, offensive lineman.
- Colin Ford, Waubonsie Valley, senior, quarterback.
- Spencer Gondek, Metea Valley, senior, linebacker.
- Carter Grabowski, Kaneland, senior, running back.
- Michael Harris, Marmion, senior, offensive lineman.
- Bradyn Hostetler, Waubonsie Valley, junior, running back/linebacker.
- Zach Hultgren, Burlington Central, senior, offensive lineman.
- Lincoln Ijams, Oswego East, senior, wide receiver.
- Asa Johnson, Aurora Christian, senior, quarterback.
- Coreyon Johnson, Elgin, senior, athlete.
- Dominic Klimpke, Aurora Christian, senior, wide receiver/defensive lineman.
- Bennett Konkey, Geneva, junior, wide receiver.
- Cooper Kowalczyk, St. Charles North, senior, offensive lineman.
- Roy Magana, Marmion, sophomore, quarterback.
- Kadin Malone, Dundee-Crown, senior, running back.
- Teddy Manikas, Oswego, senior, wide receiver.
- Tymere Marshall, Hampshire, junior, running back.
- Aidan McClure, St. Charles North, senior, linebacker.
- Nick Michalek, Sandwich, senior, running back.
- Aden Mora, Larkin, senior, wide receiver/defensive back.
- Gavin Mueller, South Elgin, senior, tight end.
- Ryan Myers, Batavia, senior, offensive lineman.
- Aidan Nuno, Burlington Central, senior, offensive lineman.
- Rogan O’Neil, Kaneland, junior, linebacker.
- JT Padron, St. Charles North, senior, quarterback.
- Gavin Pecor, Batavia, senior, defensive lineman.
- Ben Peterson, Geneva, junior, quarterback.
- Keaton Reinke, St. Charles North, senior, wide receiver.
- Kolten Schimandle, Plano, senior, running back/linebacker.
- Colton Spychalski, Yorkville, senior, wide receiver.
- Dane Turner, Geneva, senior, defensive back.
- Michael Vander Luitgaren, Batavia, junior, quarterback.
- Mariano Velasco, Oswego, senior, defensive back.
- Niko Villacci, Oswego East, senior, quarterback.
- Julius Yandell Jr., Larkin, senior, quarterback/defensive back.
- Vince Yario, Bartlett, senior, quarterback.
- Kellen Younie, West Aurora, senior, linebacker.
- Dekker Zelensek, Oswego, senior, running back.