TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Batavia (10-1): Bulldogs have another strong defense, led by Power Five recruits in linebackers Tyler Jansey (Wisconsin) and Jack Sadowsky (Iowa State). Junior quarterback Ryan Boe is back for second season as starter to head balanced offense. Defending DuKane Conference champs seek 11th straight playoff appearance under coach Dennis Piron.
2. Oswego (6-4): Panthers look to defend shared Suburban Prairie West title with Plainfield North behind veteran quarterback Cruz Ibarra, who will throw to tight end Deakon Tonielli (Michigan) and wide receiver Jordan Katzenbach. Panthers will run like they always do behind revamped O-line. Keep an eye on junior defensive end Taiden Thomas.
3. Oswego East (6-4): Look for dual-threat quarterback Tre Jones (Navy) to spread the ball around for Wolves, who have become a playoff regular under coach Tyson LeBlanc and look to make postseason for eighth time in his 11 years. Leading tackler Oshobi Odior returns to lead defense and also will be featured in running game.
4. Yorkville (6-5): Division I recruits Andrew Laurich (Colorado State) and Jake Davies (Wyoming) lead what should be stout defense featuring fellow linemen Andrew Zook and Amani Kortie. Linebackers Blake Kersting and Ben Alvarez also will make their mark, and running back Gio Zeman could have big year.
5. Jacobs (8-4): Quarterback Max Benner, a second-year starter, has big targets in tight ends Grant Stec and Nick True. Stec, a 6-6 junior, has more than 20 Division I offers. True is a 6-5 senior.
6. South Elgin (10-1): Senior Mason Montgomery, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, also will be used at wide receiver as the Upstate Eight Conference champs try to get him as many touches as possible. Kyle Steinhofer will do a ton, playing wide receiver, cornerback, kicker and return specialist.
7. Marmion (7-4): Six starters return for strong defense headlined by defensive ends Ivan Erickson (Illinois State) and Zach Bostrand. Coach Dan Thorpe believes junior linebacker Jack Lesher will be a Division I recruit. Glenbard North transfer Ryan Prell could power offense at quarterback.
8. St. Charles North (4-5): Winner of quarterback battle between sophomore Ethan Plumb and senior Will Vaske will have plenty of options in running back Drew Surges and receivers Jake Furtney and Anthony Taormina as North Stars attempt to get back into the playoffs.
9. Geneva (6-5): Vikings returned to playoffs after six-year drought but graduated a ton of skill players. Cupboard isn’t bare, however. Sophomore receiver Talyn Taylor is already drawing Power Five offers.
10. Kaneland (5-5): Junior quarterback Troyer Carlson should continue to put up big numbers throwing to talented targets Aric Johnson, Johnny Spallasso and Dominick DeBlasio. Development of both lines will be key for Knights.
THE 25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ryan Boe, Batavia, junior, quarterback; Max Bray, Aurora Christian, junior, quarterback; Troyer Carlson, Kaneland, junior, quarterback; Jake Davies, Yorkville, senior, defensive end; Ivan Erickson, Marmion, senior, defensive end; Jake Furtney, St. Charles North, senior, tight end; Tyler Jansey, Batavia, senior, linebacker; Aric Johnson, Kaneland, junior, wide receiver; Tyler Johnston, West Aurora, senior, offensive line; Tre Jones, Oswego East, senior, quarterback; Andrew Kolich, West Aurora, senior, wide receiver; Blake Kersting, Yorkville, senior, linebacker; Andrew Laurich, Yorkville, senior, defensive end; Gino Martino, West Aurora, senior, quarterback; Mason Montgomery, South Elgin, senior, running back; Achilles Obert, Oswego, senior, offensive line; Oshobi Odior, Oswego East, senior, linebacker; Keegan Otte, Dundee-Crown, senior, running back; Jack Sadowsky, Batavia, senior, linebacker; Johnny Spallasso, Kaneland, senior, defensive back; Drew Surges, St. Charles North, senior, linebacker; Talyn Taylor, Geneva, sophomore, wide receiver; Deakon Tonielli, Oswego, senior, tight end; Owen Valek, Oswego East, senior, kicker; Ryan Whitwell, Batavia, senior, defensive back.
