Dunlap Eagles

Head Coach: Brett Cazalet

Assistant Coaches: Kevin Dulin Logan Willitz Justin Miller Dave Combs Tim Green Clint Huber


School Nickname/Mascot: Eagles

Conference: Mid Illini

Team Twitter Handle: @DunlapFootball

2023 Regular Season schedule (if known):

@ Galesburg
Vs Rock Island
@ Pekin
vs Limestone
@ East Peoria
@ Canton
vs Washington
vs Morton
@ Metamora


Returning Offensive Starters for 2023:

C - Logan Barlow
Wr - Ryan Dietz
Wr - Gabe Munoz

Returning Defensive Starters for 2023:

DE - Pearce Morrison
NT - Jay Christophel
OLB - Dezon McCaston
LB - Nick Mueller
DB - Kendall Netters
DB - Ryan Dietz


Newcomers to Watch

QB - Johnny Bargen Soph
QB/Ath - Mack Sutter Soph
OL - Colton Barlow Soph
WR - Will Rankin Sr
LB/RB - Joseph Weeks



2023 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

Washington 7 on 7
Princeton 7 on 7


Impact Player for Dunlap:

Despite being just a sophomore, QB Mack Sutter (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) is a big, strong and very athletic signal caller who sure looks to be more than ready to take the reins of the Eagles offense this coming season. Sutter has been impressive this summer at various college camps and has the look already to become a highly sought after name both in-state as well as in the Midwest in the Class of 2026. If the Eagles are able to make a post-season run with an offense loaded with new faces, look for Mack Sutter to have a big 2023 season.


EDGY's Quick Take on the 2023 Dunlap Eagles:

Dunlap and head coach Brett Cazalet, who is entering his 15th season leading the Eagles football program and has a 81-55 record in 14 seasons. Dunlap has made the IHSA state playoff field for 7 straight season and 10 out of the last 13 years under Brett Hazalet. The 2022 Eagles posted a 5-4 record, made the Class 5A state playoff field and lost to Highland in opening round action to end the season with a 5-5 record.

The biggest question facing Dunlap in 2023? Can the Eagles reload and keep winning in 2023? Dunlap graduated a very strong senior class this spring, a class which included 8 starters lost to graduation. Some key spots will need to be replaced, none as important as replacing all 5 starters on the Eagles offensive line. The Dunlap program has been able to reload and fo as well as anyone within the Mid Illini conference and I expect that to happen again this coming fall. I'll say Dunlap winds up with 6-3 regular season record and gets back into the postseason for the 8th straight year in 2023.

All.... June 22 and 23rd. I haven't seen anything like this size wise. I hope they get the teams and it goes over well. Ratsy

Lake Park Lancers

Head Coach: Chris Kirkpatrick

School Nickname/Mascot: Lancers

Conference: Dukane

Team Twitter Handle: @LakeParkFootball

2023 Regular Season schedule (if known):

vs Conant
@ OPRF
vs: Batavia
@ Geneva
vs St. Charles East
@ Glenbard North
vs:Wheaton South
vs: St. Charles North
@ Wheaton North

Returning Offensive Starters for 2023:

OL Nick Cairo 2024
OL Armand Voloder 2024
OL Austin Lindemuth 2024
OL Anthony Marchese 2024
QB Michael McCormick 2024
Skills Chaz Orrico 2024
Skills Matt Rodriguez 2024
Skills Declan Fortuna 2024


Returning Defensive Starters for 2023:

DL Nick Cairo 2024
DL Armand Voloder 2024
DL Anthony Marchese 2024
LB: Nate De La Rosa 2024
DB: Declan Fortuna 2024
DB Matt Rodriguez 2024


Newcomers to Watch

Charlie Michelini 2025 Looks to make a big impact at the OL and DL spot (Younger brother of Tyler and we have Joey Michelini 2026 coming up as well)
Val Roins Defensive Player and backup QB TBD 2025 Nicco Gonzales ATH 2025

2023 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

We will be doing shared practices Trying to attend the Chi Bears event at Willowbrook in June

Impact Player for Lake Park:

Lake Park senior OL/DL Nick Cairo is a big, strong and physical two way linemen who is no question one of a handful of key starters and leaders for the Lancers this coming season. Cairo, who has been drawing recruiting looks and attention from various FBS/FCS level schools this summer will no question draw more looks off his early senior season video.

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EDGY's Quick Take on the 2023 Lake Park Lancers:

Lake Park is coming off a 1-8 season in 2022 and the Lancers have made the IHSA state playoff field just once (2017) since the 2009 season under then head coach Andy Livingston. Second year head coach Chris Kirkpatrick will welcome back a nice core of talented players with varsity experienced tbis coming season. Playing in the rugged Dukane conference is without question another road block for the Lancers football program but could the ride begin to turn in 2023?

The biggest question facing Lake Park in 2023? Can the Lancers get off to a decent early start, win a few key early non conference games and build up some positive momentum? The Lancers again have some talent with four starters back on the offensive line who are strong players, a versatile and athletic QB in Michael McCormick and enough speed and skills to make a difference. Another huge key I feel is can Lake Park have enough overall numbers and depth to battle and compete against some of the biggest power programs in Class 7A in the Dukane conference? I really feel like I might want to step out a bit on the Lancers for the 2023 season....yet the conference is so damn difficult....I'll say an improved 4-5 record in 2023 for Lake Park.

Lots of 7on7.......

Tuesday Naperville North will feature seversal different Chicagoland area teams.

Thursday: IHSFCA 7on7 not sure on which one yet

Friday: IHSFCA 7on7 Glenwood HS Class 4A/5A/6A schools

Pekin Dragons

Head Coach: Doug Nutter

Assistant Coaches:

Zac Williams Morgan Fraga Kevin Vedell Matt Koster Mike Matthews Logan Howell Mason Carr

School Nickname/Mascot: Dragons

Conference: Mid Illini

Team Twitter Handle: @pekinfootball

2023 Regular Season schedule (if known):

@ Rolling Meadows
vs Belleville East
vs Dunlap
@ Washington
vs Morton
@ Metamora
vs Canton
@ Limestone
vs East Peoria

Returning Offensive Starters for 2023:

Connor Martin WR '24
Ramez Watson WR '24
Blayne Thomas OC '24
Alijah Hart WR '24
David Hartwell H-back '24

Returning Defensive Starters for 2023:

Landon Erxleben DE '24
Jace Hackman DE '23
Ramez Watson DB '23
Alijah Hart WR '23

Newcomers to Watch

Luke Goss
Dante Strong
Blake Youngren
Brock Lavin
Heath Hawkins

2023 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

Washington 7on7
Pekin Hosts 7on7

Impact Player for Pekin:

Pekin senior WR/DB Alijah Hart is a two way starting key this fall for the Dragons and head coach Doug Nutter. The Dragons will be looking to replace a ton lost to graduation in the offensive skills department this summer, but look for Alijah Hart to have a chance to step up and have a big 2023 senior season.

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EDGY's Quick Take on the 2023 Pekin Dragons:

Pekin and head coach Doug Nutter made school history last season as the Dragons posted an impressive 11-1 record including winning the Mid Illini conference with a perfect 7-0 conference slate. Pekin reached the state quarterfinal round in Class 7A in 2022 for just the second time in school history (1988).


The biggest question facing Pekin in 2023? Can the Dragons reload at a handful of key positions this summer and remain at the top of the Mid Illini conference? Pekin just graduated a terrific senior class this past spring which included standout WR/RB Kaybe Tyler along with QB Scotty Jordan and RB Tanner Sprecher. The Dragons also have nothing easy taking on a very good Rollings Meadows program on the road in Week 1, then hosting Belleville East in Week 2 before starting the Mid Illini conference schedule. I'm looking for the Dragons to again find a way to stay towards the top of the Mid Illini and I'll say they end up with a 7-2/6-3 regular season record in 2023.

I’m sure this thread has been brought up before. Sorry if I missed it. But much like other sports should there be a third place game in football??

Lemont Football

Head Coach: Willie Hayes

Assistant Coaches:

Brent Gagnon John St. Clair John Coneset Dave LaBarbera Mchale Smith Nick Boesso Steve Fleming Frank Kovach Dylan Mack Zach Kuipers Graham Pocic, Dave Moak


School Nickname/Mascot: TBA

Conference: South Suburban Blue

Team Twitter Handle: @Lemont_Football

2023 Regular Season schedule (if known):

Week 1 - @ Libertyville
Week 2 - Geneva
Week 3 - TF South
Week 4 - @ Tinley Park
Week 5 - @ Oak Forest
Week 6 - Hillcrest
Week 7 - Bremen
Week 8 - @ Richards
Week 9 - @ TF North



Returning Offensive Starters for 2023:

Jake Katauskas - OL / 6'4" 285 / 2024
Nate Kunickis - QB/ LB / 6'3" 205 / 2024
Jake Sulzberger - OL / 6'5" 265 / 2025
AJ Carlson - TE/LB / 6'3" 225 / 2024


Returning Defensive Starters for 2023:

Jason Piskule - WR/DB / 6'0" 175 / 2024
Alex Pasquale - DL / 6'1" 270 / 2024
Nevan Bufka - DB / 6'2" 195 / 2025
Chase Lefevers - DB/WR / 6'2" 165 / 2025
Carter Mikolajczak - DB / 5'10" 145 / 2024


Newcomers to Watch

Joe Pachl - DL / 6’ 220 / 2024
Dan Gibson - DB / 6’1” 170 / 2024
Matt McDonnell - LB / 5’11” 205 / 2024
Chris Montell - QB / 5’10” 175 / 2024
Dan Taylor - RB / 5’10” 205 / 2024
Julius Dian - RB/LB / 5’9” 190 / 2025
Chase Indestad - OL / 6’3” 220 / 2025
Dylan Wilms - LB / 5’10” 185 / 2025
Connor Wilms - LB / 6’3” 175 / 2025
Jacob Parr - WR / 6’4” 185 / 2025
Zac Piskule - RB/WR 5’10” 175 / 2025
Jackson Dybcio - RB/DB 6’0” 175 / 2026



2023 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

June 20th @ Naperville North 7v7
June 27th @ Eisenhower 7v7
July 17th @ Prospect HS 7v7


Impact Player for Lemont:

Lemont senior OL Jacob Katauskas (6-foot-4, 285 pounds) is already holding multiple Division 1 scholarship offers this summer. Katauskas is a big, strong and pretty athletic big man who will continue to be a force leading the Lemont offensive line again in 2023. Katauskas is also a multi-year varsity starter and an unquestioned leader for Lemont this season on and off the field.

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EDGY's Quick Take on the 2023 Lemont Football Team:

Lemont will be looking to remain one of the winningest football programs in the entire south suburbs of Chicagoland once again in 2023 under first year head coach Willie Hayes. Former Lemont head coach Bret Kooi retired after the 2022 season and left Lemont posting an impressive 82-18 record in his 9 years at the helm. Kooi also led Lemont to the IHSA state playoff field in every season at Lemont and won 10 or more games in 5 out of his nine seasons. Lemont's new head coach Willie Hayes was groomed to take over for Kooi over the past few seasons. Hayes, an alum of Lemont was also the program's defensive coordinator under Bret Kooi was a popular hire within the football program and within the school, so expect a smooth transition this fall.

The biggest question facing Lemont in 2023? Can Lemont retain it's winning ways again in 2023 and can Lemont also finally get past East St. Louis and win a state football title? I really have no doubt that Lemont under head coach Willie Hayes will be successful and that will begin in 2023. I'm looking for Lemont to again win the South Suburban Blue this fall and also be a contender in Class 6A. Beating East St Louis? Being a pretty locked in team in Class 6A for the immediate future, Lemont will need to find a way of getting past East St. Louis. No question Lemont has shown they can play with and compete with the Flyers as evident over the past handful of seasons. Lemont will continue to battle the Flyers, and while getting past and beating the Flyers might not happen this year or maybe the next....Lemont continues to trend really high up in my opinion. Lemont's time is coming sooner rather than later.

John Ivlow, who recently retired from Bolingbrook coached newly Michigan commit I'Marion Stewart the past three seasons and breaks doiwn what the Wolverines are getting in Stewart here.

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Should be a good game.

Tinley Park Titans

Head Coach: Chris Vitt

Assistant Coaches:

Nick Johnston Chris Merenowicz Keith Huhn John Simmons Caleb Treadwell


School Nickname/Mascot: Titans

Conference: South Suburban Blue

Team Twitter Handle: @Tinley_Football

2023 Regular Season schedule (if known):

vs Thornridge
@ Romeoville
vs Hillcrest
vs Lemont
@ TF North
vs TF South
@ Oak Lawn
@ Bremen
@ Oak Forest


Returning Offensive Starters for 2023:

Chase Williamson: OG 5'10 245 '24
Brandon Siano: OT 6'3 280 '24
Romano Nutall: OG 6'2 220 '25
Myles Haythorne: WR 5'10 160 '24
George Camacho: RB 5'9 165 '24
Davis Brooks: QB 6'0 175 '24

Returning Defensive Starters for 2023:

Carlos Hazelwood DL 6'4 255 '24
Tanner List LB 6'0 180 '24
Riley Gray LB 5'10 175 '24
JaByron Matthews LB 5'10 170 '24
Leland Mickelson DB 5'10 160 '24


Newcomers to Watch

Keoni George QB/RB


2023 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

6/13 @ IKE w/ Stagg & Thornton
6/22 Thornwood
7/27 Team Camp w/Peotone


Impact Player for Tinley Park:

Tinley Park .senior defensive end Carlos Hazelwood (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) is a high level athlete who still has his best football ahead of him. Hazelwood, who is already verbally committed to NIU will be asked to ramp this fall for the Titans. I also fully expect Hazelwood to play on both sides of the football in 2023.

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EDGY's Quick Take on the 2023 Tinley Park Titans:

Tinley Park and head coach Chris Vitt is seeking his first win leading the Titans program after positing a disappointing 0-9 record in 2022. Vitt, a Tinley Park alum is looking to get the Tinley Park football program back to it's former winning ways this fall. The last time Tinley Park made the IHSA state playoff field was 2015 and then head coach Nick Johnston is on this Titans coaching staff.

The biggest question facing Tinley Park in 2023? Can the Titans find a way to get an offense that scores just 80 points in 2022 and a defense that allowed 343 points in nine games back on track. Tinley Park fortunately welcomes back 11 returning starters (6 offense 5 defense) for the 2023 season and will need for that experienced group to raise it's game this season. I'll say Tinley Park snaps the losing streak and winds up with a 4-5/3-6 record in 2023.

Former Bolingbrook and current Kenwood Academy 4 star WR IMarion Stewart will be making his college commitment today (Friday) and it's widely speculated that he will commit to Michigan

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Oswego Panthers

Head Coach: Brian Cooney

Assistant Coaches:

Ben Kleinhans Marc Kersting John Harazin Drew Fumagalli Chad Deal John Hugunin Andrew Cook Chris Villafuerte

School Nickname/Mascot: Panthers

Conference: Southwest Prairie West


Team Twitter Handle: @CooneyPanthers

2023 Regular Season schedule (if known):

Neuqua Valley - A
Andrew - H
Plainfield Central - H
Joliet Central - A
Plainfield North - A
West Aurora - H
Yorkville - H
Minooka A
Oswego East - A


Returning Offensive Starters for 2023:

Alex Magana - RB - 5'10" 200lbs 2024
Dylan King - RB - 5'10" 200lbs - 2025
Gustavo Guzman - OL - 6'7" 290lbs - 2024
Hayden Stroud - OL - 5'11" 250 lbs - 2024
Howard Lee - OL - 5'11" 260 - 2024


Returning Defensive Starters for 2023:

Taiden Thomas - DL - 6'2" - 215 - 2024
Grifen Brown - LB - 5'11" - 190 - 2024
Elijah Seaton - DB - 5'10" - 175 - 2024
Rodney Richardson - DB - 5'11" - 170 - 2024
Jeremiah Cain - DB - 6'1" - 160 - 2025
Mikey Kalsto - DL - 6'0" - 195 - 2025

Newcomers to Watch

Donovan Williams - DB / WR
Easton Ruby - LB
Carson Cooney - LB
Mikey Claycombe - LB
Brendan Bisgrove - OL
Michael Kelly - WR
Ben Pavlick - TE


2023 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

At Kaneland 7 on 7 on 7/11
Waubonsie Valley on 7/13 and Batavia on 7/20 for some team stuff.
West Aurora for the 7 on 7 on 6/23

Impact Player for Oswego

Oswego junior LB Carson Cooney (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) is already holding a few Power 5 scholarship offers this summer and expect Cooney to continue to draw inbcreased recruiting interest, attention and offers this fall. Cooney, who is the son of Oswego HC Brian Cooney is an impressive all around athlete and player who will no question play at various positions for the Panthers if needed this coming season.


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EDGY's Quick Take on the 2023 Oswego Panthers:

Oswego missed the IHSA state playoff field in 2022 for the first time since the 2010 as the Panthers wound up with a 3-6 overall record. Look for this incredibly proud football program led by alum and head coach Brian Cooney to bound back sooner rather than later.

The biggest question facing Oswego in 2023? Can the Panthers reload at some key positions (QB/WR) and find a way to pull off some early wins against two very strong non conference opponents to start the 2023 season? This Oswego program has been a tremendous power program over these many years in the far Southwest suburbs and they always seem to find a way of winning games. I look for Oswego to wind up back to the state playoff field and I say wind up with a 6-3/5-4 regular season record this coming season.

Just curious if he hopped on a program? NWestern?

My old editor, John Radtke, interviewed Craig Anderson on various topics.

Some of those topics include 1-32 seeding, NIL policy, transfer policy and girls' flag football.

Read the whole story here:

For a chuckle...see note about an advisory committee to provide perspective between public and private schools.....

Hersey Huskies

Head Coach: Tom Nelson

Assistant Coaches:

Mike Donnatucci Joe Pardon Chris Riley Steve Kuehn Ausitn Atherton Pat Crost Greg Carroll Bill Loch Joe Rupsulak

School Nickname/Mascot: Huskies

Conference: Mid Suburban East

Team Twitter Handle: @Hersey_Football

2023 Regular Season schedule (if known):

vs New Trier
@ Fremd
@ Glenbrook North
vs Vernon Hills
@ Buffalo Grove
vs Prospect
@ Rolling Meadows
vs Wheeling
vs Elk Grove


Returning Offensive Starters for 2023:

Will Nolan OT 6'6 275 2024
Carson Grove WR/S 5'11 175 2024
Gus Dammann OL/DL 6'1 240 2024
Logan Farrell TE 6'3 240 2025
Chuck Meister RB/S 5'11 185 2025
Colton Gumino QB 6'1 180 2025


Returning Defensive Starters for 2023:

Carson Grove WR/S 5'11 175 2024
Gus Dammann OL/DL 6'1 240 2024
Chuck Meister RB/S 5'11 185 2025
Brandon Pflomm LB 5'9 185 2024

Newcomers to Watch

TBD

2023 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

IHSA 7A @ St. Charles

Impact Player for Hersey:

Hersey for the 2023 season has a really nice core of names to watch including multiple players who have drawn recruiting interest and offers this summer. Yet for my money if I have to select just one player I'll go with senior WR/DB Carson Grove. Grove basically is a high level athlete with impressive speed and ball skills. Grove, who is holding multiple FBS and FCS offers this summer will basically never leave the field in 2023 for the Huskies.


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EDGY's Quick Take on the 2023 Hersey Huskies:

Hersey and then foist year head coach Tom Nelson was able to post a perfect 9-0 regular season and won the Mid Suburban East conference title. Hersey also make the 2022 IHSA Class 7A state playoff field and defeated Argo then lost to Batavia in 2OT to ed the 20222 season. Hersey has made the IHSA state playoffs in 5 straight seasons yet this program has also made it past the quarterfinal round just once in school history, back in 1987 when Hersey won the Class 6A state football title (12-2).

The biggest question facing Hersey in 2023? Can the Hawks reload in a handful of key positions this summer (OL/DL) and make a deep post-season run? The Huskies have as mentioned an impressive group of talented and highly sought after names led by senior OL Will Nolan (Iowa), senior WR/DB Carson Grove, junior TE Logan Farrell plus junior QB Colton Gumino. If the new faces can merge in with a very high talent level this team could be a really strong team in the post-season. I can see the Huskies again battling the top portion of the Mid Suburban East usual suspects (Prospect/Buffalo Grove/Rolling Meadows) and then will be a real threat in Class 7A. I'll say Hersey winds up with an 9-0/8-1 record u=in the 2023 regular season.

I've been told late June/early July

Thursday: North Central College Top Performers Red Jersey (2024)


Black Jersey (Class of 2025)

11B RB Prince Barnes III Jacobs- A great looking athlete on the hoof (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) who also backed it up with his overall work in drill and positional work. Sure also has the looks anf tools to play say linebacker as well?

16B QB Jack Elliott Mount Carmel- I've seen Elliott a handful of times live and he's just a terrific player and a name on the rise in the 2025 class. Is in line for a big 2023 season.

20B WR Isaiah Mason Montini Catholic - Another impressive kid on the hoof (5-foot-11, 190 pounds) who also was strong in positional work and one on ones.

23B WR Jayden Banks Homewood Flossmoor- Great speed and quickness here. Will be another speeddy backfield/slot option to watch this coming season.

22B LB Luke Nelson Stevenson- Impressive kid here who was really solid and a quick study in positional drills. Needs to improve his overall speed/quickness for the next level but his upside will be fun to track over the next year plus.

25B WR Travis Stamm Lyons Township- Another big, strong kid who was impressive at the varsity level in 2022, Stamm has good size (6-foot-2, 175 pounds) is also a sure handed receiver. Will be a higher profile kid in the 2025 class.

29B DB Carick Richards Lincoln Way Central - A bit of an undersized kid here but Carick also runs well, has really good speed and quickness and that speed and ability to close quickly in coverage was strong here.

30B DB Max Long Lyons Township- Cover corner still needs to add more good weight and size for the college level, but his overall straight line speed and quicks was pretty obvious here.

38B RB Chase Rivera Peotone- Nice to see a Peotone kid crack one of my list. Rivera has decent soie, ran two very impressive 40 yard times and just looks like a very solid overall football player.

37B LB Trevon Hall Champaign Centennial- Great looking kid on the hoof here (6-foot-1, 225 pounds) who also has good overall length and potential upside. Ran and tested Ok here but has the potential to continue to develop into a player.

62B Jacob Wilk Lake Zurich- Great size (6-foot-5, 292 pounds) and upside for a young guy who seemed to get better with each rep in one on ones. Still very young from a football standpoint but he will no question close that learning gap quickly. Best looking OL from Lake Zurich I've seen in some time. Excited to see Wilk's development.

64B OL Michael Nolan Marquette University High (Wisc)- Another OOS (Our Of State) kid who just battled everyone in one on ones. Tough kid here for sure.

68B OT Tyler Chambers Lyons Township- Good sized kid here who still has work to do from a development standpoint but has the physical potential to continue to develop into a potential higher level OL.

68B DL Tyler Fortis Maine South - Has a strong showing at this event see Wednesday's evaluation for more.

69B OL Frederick Finnegan Hinsdale South- Did really well in one on ones...took a ton of reps and won more than he lost. Will be a OC/OG in college and still needs to add more good weight and size but his game stood out to me here.

74B DL Joshua Crandall Oregon- I saw Josh at an earlier camp not too long ago and this was the second time he stood out. Crandall plays defensive end and was able to show well in drill and positional work. Has good length and also the potential to add more weight and size down the line.

81B WR Jimmie Maxson III St Rita- Showed a really good combination of size (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) speed and quickness along with just being able to go get the football especially in traffic. Maxson III also tested really well including running two straight impressive 40 yard dash times.

86B OL Peter Strbac Maine South Big guy who has started to draw some recruiting smoke this summer. Has good length and also moved pretty well in one on ones.

87B ??????

97B OL Max Maj Lake Zurich- Young guy who also has good size, quickness and length who will also add more weight and strength over the next few years.

White Jersey (2026)

5W QB Riley Contreas Hinsdale Central- Very good all around athletic quarterback here. Throws a good ball, ran and tested well here. A name that's already been on my radar for a bit now.

27W WR Hunter Niklos Parkview Christian- The son of Boom founder JR Nilkos has good speed, ran and tested well here and also showed very solid ball skills as well. Needs to keep adding more strength and weight but his game is already advanced.

34W RB Lucas Kramer Glenbard North- Good sized and athletic running back here who also ran well at this event. Just saw a lot of upside and potential here and I'll be looking forward to seeing his tape this fall.

70W DL King Liggins Brother Rice - Big strong inside guy who did well in one on ones. Seemed to not be fazed in drill and positional work and was a quick study as well.

75W OL Levi Mallette Hope Academy- Huge wingspan and is a kid who will keep getting bigger, stronger and better. Will no question play a ton at Hope Academy on both sides of the football and Levi sure looks like a potential DT/NG in the making to me.

74W DL Gabriel Hill Naperville North- Another young guy with a lot of room to grow, but Gabriel was highly competitive against older OL's in one on ones. Hill just kept coming in one on ones, stole some additional reps and just never backed down from anyone here. Also showed some good quickness and pass rush moves as well.

82W TE Zach Becker Stevenson Becker is just a really good all around athlete who just did a lot of things well here including running and testing strong. Becker showed really good hands, an advanced overall game and knowledge level.

Note.....as hard as I try I can't watch and evaluated 350 kids at once with a staff of one. I utilize the check in process to eyeball kids, then follow up that eyeball with watching those kids in drill work/warmups and one on ones. I try my best to see them all but I can and will miss seeing kids at these events.

The Thursday session or the third and final of three nights of the NCC camp had good overall numbers (300 plus kids) and this session was also a sellout (NCC limits numbers). The overall talent level was not real strong which has seem to be the case over the past few years at NCC for whatever reasons. Also of note.....the amount of college coaches in attendance at the Thursday session at NCC was very light, considerably less than the first two sessions. When some schools had full staffs at NCC the first two sessions....those same schools had maybe 1-2 coaches at the most in attendance. I'll have more to say on mega camps and the impact of them good and/or bad, but for the bang for the buck I would attend the first two sessions.


Wednesday: North Central College Top Performers

Tuesday: North Central College Top Performer

So Who Stood Out?

Red Jersey (Class of 2024)

2R QB Logan Smith St Joseph Ogden- Good sized kid here who isn't ideal sized for bigger level schools but this is a player who has really good speed and athleticism.

7R RB Randy Young College of DuPage- Terrific speed and burst along with the ability of stopping on a dime.

8R QB Eddie Jenkins Hope Academy- Athletic, quick twitchy athlete who could end up drawing recruiting looks for a few different positions. Tested and ran really well here.

20R DB Jake Bova Waunakee Wisc- OOS kid with great speed and also has good length and size.

24R WR Jaden Edwards Plainfield Central- Big receiver (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) who has impressive reach and hands in one on ones.

47R OL Danny Zarco Lyons Township- Danny Zarco was a multi-night camper and I think I've seen him in non padded one on ones maybe 250 times now lol. Zarco in my eyes is pretty much a proven commodity. Zarco plays with a high motor, attacks the defender and has good technique and overall fundamentals. At this stage I think Zarco should focus on padded camps from here on out this summer and show the coaches he can also be as effective in pads. I also still feel he has the ability/tools and mindset to also potentially play some defensive line as well at the next level.

54R LB Asher Jenkins Bellevue West Wisc. OOS linebacker with rally good physical tools and a kid who ran one of the fastest 40 times at this event. Has a ton of upside and potential.

60R OL Connor Shelby Mt. Carmel Ill.-Downstate linemen was pretty solid in one on ones and has the frame to add more good weight and size down the line.

62R OL Eliot Van Der Male Minooka- Another local kid for me who has put in a lot of work this off season and it showed here. Has impressive size (6-foot-5, 317 pounds) and I can see him drawing more looks and interest with some good early season video.

65R OT Carter Kadow Middleton Wisc- Hands down the best overall linemen I saw in the three days of the NCC camp. Has ideal OT length frame bend and his technique and plan of attack is impressive. Added a ton of offers after this camp.

75R OL Dagan Miller College of DuPage A player Iiked coming out of Montini Catholic in high school has gotten bigger stronger and faster since I saw him.

77R OL Palve Jovanovic Hersey- OC/OG body type who was pretty solid in one on ones and positional work.

80R WR George Dimopoulos Crystal Lake Central- I've seen George a few times live and he has really good size (6-foot-2, 177 pounds). physical tools and he also always runs well at these events.

83R WR Matt Kuczaj Wheaton North- Very steeady and a very consistent receiver with very good hands. I was also impressed with his route running and Kuczaj also ran and tested well here.

83R WR Griffin Buehler Crystal Lake Central- ran back to back highly impressive 40 yard dash and his overall speed and quickness was pretty evident in drill work. Could become a really speedy and dangerous slot back at the next level.

85R WR Max Loveall Richmond Burton- Another kid who I liked on video this spring and who I like in person as well. Loveall plays in a pretty heavy run offense but his overall size (6-foot-3, 190 pounds) and hands are impressive along with his speed. Tested very well here.

95R DL Sathiaraj Selvaraj Glenbrook North- Was a battler in one on ones and a kid who just came back for more and more reps. Also showed a good motor here.

Ok who ya got coming out of the sectionals? Not familiar with alot under 4a so here is mine:

Bloomington Sectional: Edwardsville over Minooka
Romeoville Sectional: Oswego over Oswego East
Carpentersville Sectional: Huntley over Streamwood
South Elgin Sectional: SCE over SCN
Mt. Carmel Sectional: Rita over Lyons
Lockport Sectional: LWE over Providence
Evanston Sectional: New Trier over Evanston
Mundelein Sectional: Stevenson over Mundy

Champion 4A: SCE over LWE

Let's see what everyone else thinks...feel free to inform on 1a-3a (Father McGivney...JCA...Laurence....)
@USD24 @SiuCubFan8 @rocketnation @crusader_of_90 @pjjp @Wittymoniker1 @MWittman @Kevin JCHS 81 @missingwalter

Reed Custer Comets

Head Coach: Gavin Johnson

Assistant Coaches:

Nick Klein, Mark Wolf, Tyler Graham, Yale Davis, Todd Lyons, Anthony Sanchez


School Nickname/Mascot: Comets

Conference: Illinois Central 8

Team Twitter Handle: @RCCometFootball

2023 Regular Season schedule (if known):

Elmwood Park
@ Johnsburg
Peotone
@ Herscher
@ Wilmington
Coal City
@ Manteno
Streator
@ Lisle


Returning Offensive Starters for 2023:

Peyton Bradley WR 2024
Matt Gereaux OL 2024



Returning Defensive Starters for 2023:

Travis Bohac DB 2024
Rex Pfeifer LB 2024
Peyton Bradley DB 2024


Newcomers to Watch

Colin Monroe WR/DB
Dominic Alamio OL/LB


2023 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

TBA


Impact Player for Reed Custer:

Reed Custer will look towards senior WR/DB Peyton Bradley this fall. Bradley will be a rare two way starter with varsity experience, and Bradley will be asked to provide leadership and production in all three phases again this coming fall.


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EDGY's Quick Take on the 2023 Reed Custer Comets:

Red Custer and head coach Gavin Johnson have had quite the run over the past two seasons as the Comets went from a program with a losing record being a small school enrollment power. The Comets in 2022 won the Illinois Central 8 conference title then made it to the Class 3A state playoff field. The Comets defeated Chicago Carver and DuPec before losing a heartbreaker to Byron to end the season.

The biggest question facing Reed Custer in 2023? Can the Comets truly reload this summer and replace a highly impressive just graduated senior class from the 2022 roster. The Comets have built up the program in many ways over the past handful of seasons under Gavin Johnson including the lower level numbers. Yet reloading in a very strong Illinois State 8 conference and replacing 17 graduated starters will not be an easy task. I can see Reed Custer finding a way to getting back into the post-season and I'll predict a 6-3/5-4 regular season record in 2023.

Another huge in state commitment for the Fighting Illini

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