Oswego returns 12 starters from Class 8A state runner-up, while Batavia, St. Charles North and Geneva appear to be formidable again.
Top 10 Teams
1. Oswego (11-3): Seven starters on offense and five on defense return for Panthers, who played in last year’s Class 8A state championship game. Junior running back Ammar Banire actually led team in rushing without making a start. Returnees include senior quarterback Drew Kleinhans, senior tight end Ryan Wynn (South Dakota State) and four starters on offensive line.
2. Batavia (10-3): Senior quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren (Wyoming) returns for Bulldogs, who lost in 7A semifinal to state champion St. Rita. Three Division I senior receivers — Darin Ashiru (Western Michigan), Brennon Zeng (Northern Illinois) and tight end Thomas Prescott (Wyoming) — lead talented, deep skill group. Senior linebacker Jack Brown leads defense.
3. St. Charles North (10-2): Strong ground game led by senior running back Tommy Vendl promises to keep North Stars in the mix among DuKane Conference title contenders once again. Young offensive line needs to develop, but linemen Aiden Bradley and Braden McPheeters join linebacker Miguel Mendoza in anchoring what should be strong defense.
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4. Geneva (4-5): Explosive offense keyed by senior quarterback Ben Peterson (Eastern Michigan) and sprint state champion Bennett Konkey (Illinois), a senior receiver, should signal Vikings’ return to DuKane Conference contender status after injuries took a toll last year. Strong linebacker group leads defense.
5. Burlington Central (10-2): Senior tackle Tobi Oduwa and senior linebacker Liam Schultz head up defense that brings back six starters from Rockets’ first state quarterfinalist in 20 years. Parker Auxier, a two-way senior starter at running back and defensive back, should spark the offense for coach Brian Iossi.
6. Kaneland (8-3): Senior linebackers Jackson Little, Jackson Slifka and Rogan O’Neil headline experienced defense featuring five third-year starters along with senior linemen Jackson Valentini and Reiss Thompson. Junior Brody Guthrie steps in at quarterback to lead offense with senior tight end Ryan Majerus as Knights aim at fourth playoff berth in four years under coach Mike Thorgesen.
7. Jacobs (7-4): Junior standout Jack Coates will spark Eagles on both sides of the ball at tight end and defensive end. Junior quarterback Austin Stennett figures to be better prepared for second season after growing three inches to 5-foot-11 and putting on 20 pounds. Sophomore defensive end Chris Williams has also impressed.
8. Aurora Christian (8-3): Sophomore quarterback Jesus “Juju” Vasquez is up next for Eagles and shows strong potential following graduated Asa Johnson (Northern Illinois). TJ Anderson anchors offensive line, while junior running back Jalen Callaway figures to make Vasquez’s life much easier with his running and ability to catch passes.
9. South Elgin (7-3): Big holes to fill on offense for the Storm with the graduation of tight end Gavin Mueller (Miami) and perennial 1,000-yard rusher Darrion Thurman. Senior quarterback Carter McDonald, who is back, will tutor and likely share time with promising sophomore Oliver Johnston.
10. West Aurora (7-3): Senior first-year quarterback Tyler Fecht steps into the spotlight behind center following program’s all-time passing leader in Mason Atkins (Ball State). All-around talent at running back in senior Bryce Riley should provide big boost as Blackhawks face more challenging schedule in bid for fourth straight playoff berth.
The 50 Players to Watch
• TJ Anderson, Aurora Christian, senior, offensive lineman.
• Joey Arch, Aurora Central Catholic, senior, offensive lineman/defensive end.
• Darin Ashiru, Batavia, senior, wide receiver.
• Parker Auxier, Burlington Central, senior, running back/defensive back.
• Ammar Banire, Oswego, junior, running back.
• Ulices Barrera, East Aurora, senior, defensive back.
• Liam Barrett, St. Charles East, junior, offensive lineman.
• Bryce Baxa, Yorkville, junior, defensive lineman.
• Cooper Beaty, Plano, junior, linebacker/tight end.
• Joseph Becker, East Aurora, senior, quarterback.
• Tate Beran, Geneva, senior, defensive back.
• Jalen Callaway, Aurora Christian, junior, running back.
• Jack Coates, Jacobs, junior, linebacker/tight end.
• Justin Douglas Jr., Aurora Christian, junior, linebacker/offensive lineman.
• Frank English, Oswego East, senior, defensive end.
• Bobby Frierson, West Aurora, senior, offensive lineman/defensive lineman.
• Luke Gardner, Batavia, junior, defensive back.
• Cruz Herrera, St. Charles East, junior, quarterback.
• Bradyn Hostetler, Waubonsie Valley, senior, linebacker.
• Drew Kleinhans, Oswego, senior, quarterback.
• Bennett Konkey, Geneva, senior, wide receiver.
• Charlie Larson, Metea Valley, senior, wide receiver.
• Roman La Salvia, Hampshire, senior, tight end/defensive lineman.
• Jackson Little, Kaneland, senior, linebacker/running back.
• Cam Loghmani, Oswego, senior, linebacker.
• Colin McEniry, Marmion, senior, wide receiver.
• Braden McPheeters, St. Charles North, senior, defensive lineman.
• Miguel Mendoza, St. Charles North, senior, linebacker.
• Kajus Muralis, Waubonsie Valley, junior, offensive lineman.
• Tobi Oduwa, Burlington Central, senior, defensive lineman.
• Rogan O’Neil, Kaneland, senior, linebacker.
• Kyler Payne, Waubonsie Valley, junior, tight end/defensive end.
• Ben Peterson, Geneva, senior, quarterback.
• Ethan Pilip, Oswego, senior, defensive end.
• Jack Ponto, Oswego East, senior, linebacker.
• Thomas Prescott, Batavia, senior, tight end.
• Bryce Riley, West Aurora, senior, wide receiver/linebacker.
• Jacob Rufino, Elgin, senior, quarterback.
• James Sapp, Yorkville, senior, defensive lineman.
• Austin Stennett, Jacobs, junior, quarterback.
• Darek Szczeblewski, West Aurora, senior, kicker/punter.
• Ethan Taxis, Plano, senior, wide receiver/defensive back.
• Dane Trowbridge, Batavia, senior, offensive lineman.
• Michael Vander Luitgaren, Batavia, senior, quarterback.
• Tommy Vendl, St. Charles North, senior, running back.
• Michael Villarreal, South Elgin, senior, tight end.
• Dillon Viscogliosi, Yorkville, senior, linebacker.
• Cash White, Sandwich, senior, quarterback/linebacker.
• Chris Williams, Jacobs, sophomore, defensive end.
• Dontrell Young, Owego, senior, defensive back.
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