Led by a major recruit in quarterback Jonas Williams, Lincoln-Way East sits atop list, but watch out for powerhouses Mount Carmel, Joliet Catholic, Providence, Brother Rice and St. Rita.
Top 10 Teams
1. Lincoln-Way East (13-1): Griffins figured to be strong even before star junior quarterback Jonas Williams (Oregon) transferred in from Bolingbrook. They hope he will push them over the top after back-to-back Class 8A state championship game losses to Loyola. Senior running back Zion Gist (Western Michigan) is ready for starring role, while senior Caden O’Rourke (Northwestern) and junior Jacob Alexander lead defensive line with potential to dominate.
2. Mount Carmel (13-1): Can Caravan three-peat in Class 7A? Many newcomers will have to step up for that to happen, but senior quarterback Jack Elliott (Vanderbilt) is a good piece to start with. Senior Nick Lewanski anchors offensive line, senior linebacker Matthew Mucha was team’s top tackler last year, and defensive lineman Braeden Jones is state’s top recruit in junior class.
3. Joliet Catholic (10-4): Hilltoppers, the Class 5A runner-up in 2023, have veteran defense led by senior linebackers Daniel Rouse and Nick Bueno and senior linemen Nico Ronchetti and Zach Pomatto. Four starters return on offensive line, which is led by senior Cameron Juricich and should open plenty of holes for a trio of senior running backs, including Keegan Farnaus.
4. Providence (8-4): Coming off Class 5A semifinal run, Celtics are full of experienced veterans, including senior defensive backs Gavin Hagan and Luke Leverett and senior linebacker Jay Jeziorski. Junior Leo Slepski is set for second season as starting quarterback, and he has top target in junior Xavier Coleman and veteran offensive line paced by senior Koda Miller.
5. Brother Rice (5-5): Senior linebacker Christian Pierce, who has offers from several major colleges, is back from torn ACL to lead stacked defense featuring seven returning starters, including junior defensive lineman King Liggins and senior defensive back Connor Stack. Offense is more unproven but should be helped by additions of senior running back Tyler Lofton (Illinois State), a Marian Catholic transfer, and senior receiver Jimmie Maxson III, a St. Rita transfer.
6. St. Rita (8-5): Mustangs hope to take a big leap in second year under coach Martin Hopkins. Senior linebackers James Kingsbury and Justin Buckner anchor veteran defense, while senior running back/kick returner Nick Herman and junior receiver/kick returner Walter Jones are always dangerous with ball in their hands.
7. Lincoln-Way West (9-3): Warriors have several key pieces back from Class 7A quarterfinalist. Senior quarterback Chase Hetfleisch has pair of Division I recruits to target in senior receivers Austin Rowswell and DeAndre Coates. Senior linebackers Josh Veldman (Northwestern) and Nathan Elstner lead experienced defense.
8. Morgan Park (10-2): After making Class 5A quarterfinals in 2023, Mustangs have pieces to go beyond that this year. They are stacked with Division I talent, including senior linebacker Jovan Clark (Wyoming) and senior defensive back Jahmare Washington (Wisconsin). Three-year starting quarterback Marcus Thaxton, a senior, and junior receiver Nasir Rankin — a Whitney Young transfer — also have Division I offers.
9. Sandburg (6-4): Senior quarterback Anthony Shelton and senior receiver Charlie Snoreck form a potent duo and will be protected by offensive line powered by senior Matt Marek (Indiana). Senior safety Ryan Ward and senior lineman Evan Benos headline defense for Eagles, who hope to improve upon first-round playoff loss.
10. Richards (8-3): Bulldogs are stacked with returners on defense, including senior defensive backs Austin Synoga and Seamus Doyle. Senior running back Myles Mitchell (North Dakota State), who also plays linebacker, will look to carry the load on offense after piling up 1,287 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.
The 25 Players to Watch
- Justin Buckner, St. Rita, senior, linebacker.
- Jovan Clark, Morgan Park, senior, linebacker/defensive back.
- Jack Elliott, Mount Carmel, senior, quarterback.
- Brad Fitzgibbon, Marist, senior, defensive lineman.
- Gavin Hagan, Providence, senior, defensive back.
- Steven Holmes, Argo, senior, running back.
- Braeden Jones, Mount Carmel, junior, defensive lineman.
- Luke Leverett, Providence, senior, defensive back.
- King Liggins, Brother Rice, junior, defensive lineman.
- Andre Lovett, Eisenhower, senior, defensive back/receiver.
- John McAuliffe, Marist, senior, running back.
- Randall McDonald, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, quarterback.
- Michael McDonough, Andrew, senior, offensive lineman.
- Myles Mitchell, Richards, senior, running back/linebacker.
- Matthew Mucha, Mount Carmel, senior, linebacker.
- Caden O’Rourke, Lincoln-Way East, senior, defensive lineman.
- Christian Pierce, Brother Rice, senior, linebacker.
- Daniel Rouse, Joliet Catholic, senior, linebacker.
- Charlie Snoreck, Sandburg, senior, receiver.
- Jake Sulzberger, Lemont, senior, offensive lineman.
- Austin Synoga, Richards, senior, defensive back/receiver.
- Marcus Thaxton, Morgan Park, senior, quarterback.
- Josh Veldman, Lincoln-Way West, senior, linebacker.
- Jonas Williams, Lincoln-Way East, junior, quarterback.
- Erimus Wright, Hillcrest, senior, running back/defensive back.
