Warren tops the list, but North Suburban Conference rival Stevenson and Northern Lake County Conference contenders Antioch and Grant have experienced quarterbacks.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Warren (7-5): Senior running back Aaron Stewart (Illinois) is one of the state’s most prolific players, having rushed for 2,465 yards and 34 TDs last year, and his presence alone makes the Blue Devils into North Suburban Conference contenders capable of making a playoff run in Class 8A. Helping to open the few holes he needs will be senior offensive lineman Jordan Ellis (North Dakota). Among those expected to carry the defense are senior cornerback Chris McBride, senior defensive end Cayden Janczewski and senior linebacker Royce Lopez
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.2. Stevenson (10-2): The Patriots, who were NSC co-champions last year and advanced to the 8A state quarterfinals for the first time since winning the 2014 state title, have 10 starters back, including five all-conference picks. The offense is in good hands with third-year starting quarterback Aidan Crawley (2,222 yards, 21 TDs). His top target figures to be another third-year starter, senior tight end Zach Becker (Ball State), who will also play defensive end. The defensive front seven has plenty of firepower with senior defensive lineman Anthony Adams III (10 sacks) and senior linebackers D’angelo Washington (92 tackles) and Braedon O’Hara (52 tackles) all back. Also returning is all-conference safety Frank Concialdi (55 tackles, 6 interceptions).
3. Antioch (8-3): The Sequoits, who have won at least a share of the Northern Lake County Conference title nine times in the past 10 full seasons, have a senior quarterback, Colin Arquilla, and a well-tested defense. Arquila will spearhead an always-potent running game, which could include versatile senior Jack Bucar, junior Gavin Stone and sophomores Logan Lennon and Kelen Wilson. The defense will have up to nine senior starters, led by all-conference defensive lineman Owen Shea (64 tackles, 10 for loss). Other senior defenders who will figure prominently include lineman Nathan Glauser, linebacker Henry Lubkeman and safety Chase Nobiling.
4. Grant (6-4): Third-year starting quarterback Matthew Gipson has been one of the most efficient area quarterbacks (2,036 yards, 24 TDs), and his production should continue after the Bulldogs qualified for the 6A playoffs last year. Two big reasons are two-time 1,000-yard rusher Tyler Zdon (North Dakota) and top receiving target Max Hembrey (41 catches, 905 yards), both seniors. The trenches on both sides of the ball are also well fortified, with the offensive line returning five players with starting reps and five defensive lineman who received extensive snaps in the three-man front. Senior linebacker Logan Myers (107 tackles) leads the defense and will be joined in the back by senior safety Zach Collins.
5. Libertyville (9-2): After sharing the NSC title last year, the Wildcats will replace three-year starting quarterback Quinn Schambow with one of three candidates who will throw to senior wide receiver Nicholas Ori (Illinois State), a Wauconda transfer, and junior tight end Brock Williams, who is one of the nation’s top prospects. Junior Aidan Weaver is slated to be the primary ball carrier, and he’ll run behind a line anchored by senior third-year starter Myles Batesky (Harvard). A strength on defense will be the linebacking tandem of seniors Jack Treutelaar and Erich Walldorf (combined 107 tackles), while senior safety Gavin Dickson will stabilize the secondary.
6. Wauconda (8-3): Looking to extend a school-record streak of four playoff appearances, the Bulldogs will be led by one of their best defenders, senior Jake Thorstenson (51 tackles), who takes the reins at quarterback. He’ll hand the ball to senior running backs Jackson Rudolph (1,309 yards, 25 total TDs) and Cole Korycanek. Seven starters return to a defense that held four opponents to one score or less, led by junior linebacker Brody Rudolph (69 tackles). The secondary should also be a strength, returning intact with Thorstenson and seniors Noah Kosiek, Jaxson Miglans and Khalil Roberson. Senior Eric Alvarado is another integral two-way starter.
7. Carmel (4-7): Junior quarterback Trae Taylor (3,061 yards, 20 TDs) is a year older and has settled his high-profile recruitment by committing to Nebraska. Fourth-year starter Kai Owens (UMass) and junior Kyron Hart, a transfer from Northwest Indiana, will be Taylor’s top targets. Senior linebacker Nicholas Hopman, an all-conference pick last year, will again be in the middle of the action on defense and will be joined by senior safety Kevin Murphy and sophomore safety Jameer Miles.
8. Lake Forest (9-3): The Scouts are missing many key cogs after reaching the 6A state quarterfinals, but the cupboard is far from bare. Anchoring the offensive line will be senior left tackle Dylan Knutson, while two of the returning starters tasked with making the passing game hum will be senior tight end Luke Pasquesi and junior wide receiver Jack Burger (4 TDs). On defense, the rotation up front will consist largely of newcomers, but four players in the back seven either started or received extensive playing time as juniors. Among that group are linebackers James Elliott and Jimmy Scheidler and defensive backs Aedan Cassidy and Ethan Farrell.
9. Grayslake North (7-3): The Knights are less experienced after qualifying for the 6A playoffs but have building blocks in place in several areas, starting with senior left tackle Kyle Case. Junior Beckett Dovel, a third-year starter, will continue to be a key defensive player but will also have a more pronounced offensive role as he shares ball-carrying duties with senior Jacob Sweeney. Senior linebacker Eli Woyat, senior safety Issac Rios and senior lineman David Williams are productive defenders returning.
10. Lake Zurich (4-5): The Bears’ seven-year streak of playoff appearances ended last year, so returning to the postseason is a top priority. One of the few offensive players with significant experience is senior quarterback Reid Pfeifer. There are more established players on defense, led by all-conference linebacker Christopher Chang (40 tackles, 3 interceptions), a senior who will also play receiver. Junior linebackers Brock Rubicz and Arturo Zarinana will be tasked with more responsibility this season, seniors Bryce Erkman (24 tackles) and Evan Peterson (54 tackles) are returning starters in the secondary, and big things are expected from senior nose tackle Cooper Gwizdala.
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25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Anthony Adams III, Stevenson, senior, defensive lineman
- Myles Batesky, Libertyville, senior, offensive lineman
- Zach Becker, Stevenson, senior, tight end/defensive end
- Kyle Case, Grayslake North, senior, offensive lineman
- Aedan Cassidy, Lake Forest, senior, defensive back
- Christopher Chang, Lake Zurich, senior, linebacker/wide receiver
- Aidan Crawley, Stevenson, senior, quarterback
- Jordan Ellis, Warren, senior, offensive lineman
- Matthew Gipson, Grant, senior, quarterback
- Max Hembrey, Grant, senior, wide receiver
- Marlin Jeffries, North Chicago, senior, wide receiver/defensive back
- Logan Meyers, Grant, senior, linebacker
- Nicholas Ori, Libertyville, senior, wide receiver
- Kai Owens, Carmel, senior, wide receiver
- Jordan Phelan, Lakes, senior, offensive lineman
- Brody Rudolph, Wauconda, junior, linebacker
- Jackson Rudolph, Wauconda, senior, running back/linebacker
- Owen Shea, Antioch, senior, defensive lineman
- Aaron Stewart, Warren, senior, running back
- Trae Taylor, Carmel, junior, quarterback
- Giuseppe Urso, Vernon Hills, senior, running back
- D’angelo Washington, Stevenson, senior, linebacker
- Brock Williams, Libertyville, junior, tight end
- Cutler Wyss, Mundelein, senior, offensive lineman
- Tyler Zdon, Grant, senior, running back
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.