Tribune’s Top 5 by region
Last season’s record in parentheses
CITY
1. MT. CARMEL (13-1): Caravan would like nothing better than a rematch of last year’s 7A title game to avenge the loss to Prospect.
2. ST. RITA (9-3): While everyone focuses on the Mustang running game, imagine facing a defense that’s led by an imposing Matt Conrath, listed at 6-8, 255.
3. HUBBARD (10-3): Joliet recruiting analyst Tim O’Halloran figures the pride of the Public League could have seven Div. I prospects in starting lineup.
4. BROTHER RICE (10-4): Prep Bowl runner-up looks to reload with eight returning starters led by LB Kevin Konrath. John Ingersoll takes over at QB.
5. MORGAN PARK (12-2): Only 7 returning starters, but watch Antonio Ball run behind Abdullah Pratt (5-11, 285), John Hall (6-2, 260), Edward Gibson (6-0, 250).
%% PLAYERS TO WATCH Position Height Weight
CHARLES BROWN Robeson WR 5-11 175
SEAN CATTOUSE Hubbard QB 6-3 190
MATT CONRATH St. Rita DL 6-8 255
PATRICK GEORGE Gordon Tech DB 6-0 180
JUSTIN HICKMAN Hubbard LB 6-3 235
DARIEON HOOD St. Rita RB 5-9 180
ROBERT HUGHES Hubbard RB 6-0 225
KEVIN KONRATH Brother Rice LB 6-3 220
CLIFFORD MOORE St. Rita RB 5-11 200
RON NEWCOMB Mt. Carmel DE 6-3 230
MARK OLIVER Mt. Carmel LB 6-2 230
ARTHUR RAY Mt. Carmel OL 6-2 297
BRIAN THOMAS Hubbard DT 6-3 275
MARCUS THOMAS Morgan Park DB 6-0 175
MARTEZ WILSON Simeon DE 6-4 230 %%
SOUTH
1. RICHARDS (7-3): Team speed and talent at the skill positions should give Gary Korhonen the six wins needed to become the state’s winningest coach.
2. THORNTON (5-5): Wildcats feature 10 returning starters and an offense that showcases QB Daniel Eaves searching out 6-4 receiver Anthony Morris.
3. OAK FOREST (9-3): Korhonen calls the passing combo of QB Micky Nicholas to Jake Gloodt “unstoppable.” Bengals have 12 returnees.
4. BISHOP MCNAMARA (9-3): Returns 15 starters from 5A quarterfinalist that lost by only six points to state champ Springfi eld Sacred Heart-Griffin.
5. BREMEN (9-2): Braves have 16 returning starters to fortify their first season in the newly formed South Suburban Blue.
%% PLAYERS TO WATCH Position Height Weight
TIM CAZLEY Bremen RB 6-0 205
DEANDRE HAYNES Richards QB 5-11 175
JAKE GLOODT Oak Forest RB 6-1 180
MAX HOEY Bishop McNamara LB 6-0 205
JON JACK Marian Catholic OL 6-5 280
MIKE JOHNS (jr.) Oak Forest OL/DL 6-4 240
CURTIZ MATHIS Thornton LB 6-2 200
SHAMAR MCGEE Richards TE/WR/RB/DB 6-2 185
ANTHONY MORRIS Thornton WR 6-4 205
MICKY NICHOLAS Oak Forest QB 6-0 175
RYAN RAMOS Oak Forest DT 6-3 275
JOE RIZZI T.F. South QB 6-3 190
MICHAEL RYCE Thornton WR 6-5 200
REID SMITH Oak Lawn LB 6-2 240
TERAY WHISBY Richards WR 6-5 195 %%
SOUTHWEST
1. LINCOLN-WAY EAST (14-0): What better for a class that is 32-0 in three years than to repeat in 8A? Watch for QB battle of Andrew Ramus vs. Blake Hammond.
2. JOLIET CATHOLIC (11-1): Would be top-rated in Near West and South zones but has to settle for second-best in the state’s toughest football region.
3. LEMONT (10-2): Aaron Nagel anchors a defense that features Brad Schott (6-3, 280) and Adam Jablonowski (6-0, 230) up front.
4. LINCOLN-WAY CENTRAL (8-3): Will be formidable behind QB Tom Humenik and linemen Mark Collins (6-2, 290), Matt Lucas (6-2, 265), Pat Gunville (6-1, 255).
5. MORRIS (14-0): There’s no replacing All-Staters John Dergo and Jamie Cumbie, but the defending champ will open up its offense behind QB Brenton Valentine.
%% PLAYERS TO WATCH Position Height Weight
NICK CLANCY Joliet Catholic LB/RB 6-2 195
COBY FLEENER Joliet Catholic WR 6-6 210
ANDY GERRITSEN Lincoln-Way East RB 6-3 205
ADAM GETTIS Lincoln-Way East OL 6-4 245
WILLIE HAYES Lemont LB 6-0 225
DAN HILBERT Plainfield South LB 6-3 215
TOM HUMENIK Lincoln-Way Central QB 5-10 160
DALE MARTIN Bolingbrook RB 5-11 195
DAVID MOLK Lemont OL 6-2 270
AARON NAGEL Lemont DB/RB 6-2 220
JON OLOFSSON Lincoln-Way East LB 6-2 230
MATT PETERSON Morris RB/DE 6-1 210
D.J. PIRKLE Lincoln-Way East DT 6-1 290
KEVIN ROUSE Joliet Catholic LB 6-2 225
BRENTON VALENTINE Morris QB/DB 6-1 190 %%
NEAR WEST
1. DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH (8-3): Linebacker tandem of Dan Mersch (6-2, 225) and Jared Culver (6-1, 235) rates among the best duos in school history.
2. LYONS (5-5): Quick RB Casey McMurray (5-6, 160) will disappear behind blockers Jerry Rigo (6-3, 275), Jeff Adams (6-6, 245) and Victor Metroff (5-11, 255).
3. HINSDALE CENTRAL (9-4): RBs Steve Morris and Billy Auriemma will follow the blocks of Jon Rogowski (6-3, 260), Alex Lawton (6-2, 270) and Alex Nelson (6-3, 265).
4. DOWNERS GROVE NORTH (9-2): Will rebuild around QB Brendan Briscoe (the name as published has been corrected here and in a subsequent reference in this text), DT Dexter McAuley, LB Nick Diehl, RB Ryan Gresco, DE Brandon Bias, DT Dan Shelhamer.
5. YORK (7-3): Dukes have their collective eyes set on a West Suburban Silver title as they return 12 starters from last year’s 8A qualifier.
%% PLAYERS TO WATCH Position Height Weight
JEFF ADAMS Lyons Township OL 6-6 245
BRENDAN BRISCOE Downers Grove North QB 6-3 180
JUSTIN BROWN Oak Park QB 6-2 180
RON CELLI York LB 6-2 220
JARED CULVER (jr.) Downers Grove South LB 6-1 235
JACK DINARDO Hinsdale Central DE 6-4 250
DREW HANSEN Downers Grove South OL/DL 6-2 250
CASEY MCMURRAY Lyons Township RB 5-6 160
DAN MERSCH Downers Grove South LB 6-2 225
STEVE MORRIS Hinsdale Central RB 6-0 185
PHIL PEDI Driscoll QB 6-2 195
JON ROGOWSKI Hinsdale Central OL 6-3 260
RAY SANKEY Proviso East LB 6-3 215
SCOTT SKUTERIS York LB 5-11 185
KEVIN WATT Glenbard West DE 6-4 225 %%
FAR WEST
1. WHEATON WARRENVILLE SOUTH (12-1): Lost in the hoopla over the Dan Dierking-led offense is a defense featuring Stephen Herbert, Josh Davis, James Nelson.
2. NAPERVILLE NORTH (7-3): Huskies have the talent to make a run at DuPage Valley favorite Wheaton South. Seven returnees on defense.
3. NEUQUA VALLEY (9-2): Tough defense with Jordan Yearian and Mike Kramer in front of LBs Ross Fumagalli, C.J. Robertson and Geoffery Rowan.
4. BATAVIA (9-2): Offense features QB Alex Schroeder, RB Alex Warner, linemen Drew Anderson (6-3, 265) and Sean Ramsey (6-2, 270) and TE Jordan Church.
5. GLENBARD NORTH (5-5): Strong behind QB Dan Matkovik, RB Scott Doll and defensive leaders Adam Mullendore, Jim Fiero, Dustin Javier, Justin Wahrman.
%% PLAYERS TO WATCH Position Height Weight
DREW ANDERSON Batavia OL 6-3 265
COLIN ARMSTRONG Benet OL 6-5 270
KYLE ANTOS Wheaton South OL 6-2 250
DAN DIERKING Wheaton South RB 5-10 185
MIKE GARRITY Batavia OL 6-6 275
STEVE HLAVAC Naperville North RB 5-9 180
WILLIAM MATTE (jr.) Wheaton South OL 6-3 265
NICK MONDEK Naperville Central DE 6-6 225
SEAN RAMSEY (jr.) Batavia OL 6-2 270
SHAUN RATAY Geneva QB 6-6 195
PAT SCHILLER Geneva LB 6-1 215
ALAN SMITH Neuqua Valley RB 5-11 205
JORDAN TASSIO (jr.) Naperville North QB 6-2 200
THARRYN WRIGHT Batavia LB 6-1 205
JORDAN YEARIAN Neuqua Valley DL/OL 6-2 250 %%
NORTHWEST
1. PROSPECT (13-1): Fourth state title in six years within grasp, especially with a defense that returns nine starters, including linebacker Tony Beratti.
2. BARRINGTON (8-4): Only lost four starters from 8A quarterfi nalist, and Teddy Schell is the best QB in the state.
3. CARY-GROVE (11-1): Top team in Fox Valley has best speed, strength and depth in the last 18 years and will pass more out of its triple-option attack.
4. FREMD (10-1): RB Jake Smith should find daylight slashing past the blocking of Jordan Walker (6-3, 265), Joe Golota (6-3, 255), Brian Roberts (6-3, 245).
5. BUFFALO GROVE (4-5): Bison return 14 starters–nine on offense–and will exploit pass coverage with QB Sam Donatucci (6-4, 215).
%% PLAYERS TO WATCH Position Height Weight
ANDRE ANDERSON Barrington RB 5-8 185
TONY BERATTI Prospect LB 5-11 215
BRYAN BULAGA Marian Central OL 6-5 270
WILLIE CLARK Lake Park WR 6-2 180
TYLER DOERING Barrington OL 6-5 285
SAM DONATUCCI Buffalo Grove QB 6-4 215
MATT KLEIN Buffalo Grove LB 6-1 195
ANDREW LORMAN Cary-Grove FB 6-3 210
NICK MAGIERA Barrington LB 6-11 200
PAT MCAVOY St. Viator RB 6-1 200
NEAL ROBERTS Richmond-Burton QB 6-1 190
TEDDY SCHELL Barrington QB 6-5 205
JAKE SMITH Fremd RB 6-0 195
JORDAN WALKER Fremd OL 6-3 265
MARCUS ZUSEVICS Prospect OL 6-5 255 %%
NORTH
1. MAINE SOUTH (12-2): Three-time Class 8A runnerup unleashes full array of four-receiver attack triggered by QB Jimmy Coy, fastest player on the team.
2. GLENBROOK SOUTH (8-3): Remember these Titans featuring a defense that lost only one starter from last season’s 8A playoff qualifier.
3. CARMEL (7-3): Offensive linemen Sean Wegge (6-4, 300), Dan Clinton (6-7. 280), Jon Krizman (6-3, 270) help form the “Great Wall of Carmel.”
4. LIBERTYVILLE (7-4): Ten returning starters–six on defense–and QB Ryan Kennedy mark the Wildcats as North Suburban Lake favorite.
5. STEVENSON (11-1): Offensive line bulked up by Maxwell Klatt (6-2, 285), Victor Ochy (6-3, 270), Ryan Van Lopik (6-3, 240) and Ben Sampson (6-5, 340).
%% PLAYERS TO WATCH Position Height Weight
MICHAEL BOLDEN Evanston DB 6-1 175
D.J. BROWN North Chicago QB 6-0 170
JIMMY COY Maine South QB 6-0 195
KENDALE FARLOW Evanston LB 6-1 190
TREY FRAHLER New Trier QB 6-5 200
NICKCARO GOLDING Evanston DE 6-4 220
MYLLANO KEGG Warren LB 5-11 215
RYAN KENNEDY Libertyville QB 6-2 215
DANNY MONCKTON Glenbrook South WR 6-5 205
JEFFRERY OSCAR Highland Park WR 5-11 175
CHALMERS OSCAR Highland Park WR 6-0 180
JIM POTEMPA Carmel FB 5-7 175
DARIUS SCOTT North Chicago OL 6-4 360
KYLE SKARB Lake Zurich LB 6-0 210
JOSEPH SUHEY Loyola RB 6-1 205 %% ———-
CONFERENCE PREVIEWS
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