The Big Man from East Side is a Redshirt Freshman, slotted at LT behind another from his class who was the top ranked lineman. Also, another RS/Frosh tackle is getting PT before him. He was next up, but an injury this weekend proved otherwise when the 2nd RT (RS Soph) moved to LT when Proctor got hurt.

In this day and age of the portal, I am guilty of thinking about his next home, but he still has plenty of time to earn his Sunday stripes. In fact, the young man is a cheerleader for the team's recruiting of other linemen.

Not only that, he is getting himself a good education, earning Honor Roll status. I sure hope he stays all five years and gets a grad degree before getting Day 1 drafted. He is a student athlete I can really root for!

Paris Patterson transferred from Arkansas to SMU - he too has not taken a snap this year.

Crazy how I thought both could get into the rotation right away. They are playing with the Bog Boys now!

Is it dergo?

maybe that QB from MS a few years back...damn, what was his name!

2025 Minooka Indians

Head Coach: Matt Harding

Assistant Coaches:

Kevin Cain, Drew Kooi, Kyle Knezetic, Brad Kunz, Paige Schoolman, Mickey Resner, Derek Wentworth, Dylan Meyer, Isaiah Dupree, Kenny Kirkland, Tony Garcia, Shane Longest


2025 Regular Season schedule (if known)

vs. St. Charles North
@ Neuqua Valley
@ Yorkville
@Joliet West
vs Plainfield North
vs Plainfield Central
vs Oswego
@ Bolingbrook


Returning Offensive Starters for 2025

Zane Caves/QB/6'5/200/2026
Chase Nurczyk/RB/5'10/195/2026
Jackson Miranda/TE/6'4/240/2026
Noah James/OL/6'5/280/2026
Kooper Fisher/WR/5'9/170/2026
Brady Hairald/WR/
Robbie Murphy/OL/5'10/280/2026
Hayden Bowman/RB/5'10/180/2026
Tyler Minda/FB/6'.5'/190/2026


Returning Defensive Starters for 2025

Nathan Gonzalez/FS/6/180/2026
Brady Kozlowski/OLB/6/205/2026
Elliot Dahlberg/MLB/5'11/215/2026
Cash Marlow/SS/5'11/170/2027
Lincoln Sullivan/NT/6'1/250/2026


Newcomers to Watch

Kaden Meyer/OLB/5'10/180/2027
Myles Langston/CB/5'10/160/2027
Joseph Chiappini OL/DL/6'2/250/2027

2024 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

IWU Team Camp
Vs Morris July 23rd

Impact Player for Minooka


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Minooka senior to be QB Zane Caves has been a non stop multiple sport athlete (Football/Basketball/Baseball) for Minooka during his entire high school career. Caves, who is verbally committed to Michigan State for baseball is also a terrific athlete who runs the Indians offense for the second straight season in 2025. Caves possesses a very strong arm along with the tools to allow him to also be an effective runner when required.

Looking for a sleeper name to watch for the Minooka? The Indians welcome back several key names on defense and take your pick between senior S Nathan Gonzalez, senior LB Brady Kozlowski and senior LB Elliott Dahlberg as names to watch this fall for Minooka and all three names are drawing increased recruiting looks and attention this spring.

EDGY's Preseason Thoughts on the 2025 Minooka Indians

Minooka and head coach Matt Harding has led the Indians to the IHSA state playoffs in four straight seasons, taking over the program in 2020 (Covid year) after being an assistant coach under the staff of Hall of Fame Minooka head coaches in John Belskis and Terry McCombs. Minooka welcomes back 14 returning starters including 9 starters back on offense along with strong senior leaders back on defense. The Indians schedule gets a bump up this fall in Week 1 taking on St Charles North and look for Minooka to again be a key challenger in the Southwest Prairie West conference.

The biggest question facing Minooka this summer?

Can the Indians reload upfront on both the offensive and defensive lines this summer? Minooka graduated/will graduate a very strong senior class from the 2024 season and several of those names are linemen. Minooka welcomes back just two starter on the offensive line and one start on the defensive line and getting those new faces up to speed will be a big emphasis this summer. One big positive for Minooka is that they are a program that just seems to grow huge linemen year in and year out and I fully expect the Indians line play to have good young talent this fall that should improve from week to week.

Preseason Ranking? 2025 Preseason Chicagoland Top 30 and 2025 Preseason Class 8A Top 10 poll consideration

2025 Johnsburg Skyhawks

Head Coach: Sam Lesniak

Assistant Coaches:

Jeremy Brown, JD Sylvanus, Matt Welch, Barett Mays, John Ridley, Mike Franze, Erick Block, Bill Gaydo, Adam Jayko, Nick Arzer

2025 Regular Season schedule (if known)


Week 1- Thornwood (South Holland)
Week 2- Addison Trail
Week 3- Richmond Burton
Week 4- @ Sandwich
Week 5- Woodstock North
Week 6- @ Marengo
Week 7- Plano
Week 8- @ Woodstock
Week 9- Harvard


Returning Offensive Starters for 2025

Carter Block- QB, 5'11, 155 lbs, 2026
Ryan Franze- WR, 5'11, 180 lbs, 2027
Jarrel Albea- WR, 6'0, 165 lbs, 2026
Micah Welch- LG, 6'1, 240 lbs, 2027
Clay Myers- C, 6'1, 250 lbs, 2027
Lucas Smerling- RG, 5'11, 240 lbs, 2027
Duke Mays- TB, 5'10, 185 lbs, 2027


Returning Defensive Starters for 2025


Duke Mays- ILB, 5'10, 185 lbs, 2027
Jacob Vetter- CB, 6'1, 165 lbs, 2026
Mario Zakrzewski, OLB, 6'0, 190 lbs, 2026
Kyle Wett, DE, 5'11, 190 lbs, 2026
Newcomers to Watch
Shawn Halloran- FS, 6'0, 180 lbs, 2026
Jackson Hjorth- H, 6'0, 180 lbs, 2028
CJ Jones- ILB, 6'0, 190 lbs, 2027

2024 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

7 on 7- 6/25
Joint Practice w/ Wauconda- 6/26
7 on 7- @ Antioch 7/9
Joint Practice w/ Crystal Lake South- 7/10
NIU with United Township- 7/15
UWW- 7/24


Impact Player for Johnsburg


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Johnsburg junior to be WR Ryan Franze has been a highly productive receiver for the Skyhawks who has very good hands, can be equally effective whether on the outside or in the slot and has a chance to play on Saturday's at the college level. Franze as mentioned is just a junior who has a chance to put down more impressive film this fall.

Looking for a sleeper name to watch for the Johnsburg? Johnsburg junior to be RB/LB Duke Mays is a highly productive two way starter for the Skyhawks and will be asked to again provide production on both sides of the football this season.


EDGY's Preseason Thoughts on the 2025 Johnsburg Skyhawks

Johnsburg and head coach Sam Lesniak are coming off a solid 2024 season as the Skyhawks posted a 6-3 regular season record and had some big wins (Richmond Burton) along with losing three games all within 7 points or less. Look for the Skyhawks to build upon the 2024 success and will lean on 11 returning starters back (7 offense 4 defense) along with a solid underclassmen group on the way starting this summer.

The biggest question facing Johnsburg this summer?

Can the Skyhawks get back in to the IHSA state playoffs for the third time in four seasons and beat Coal City in the playoffs? The Skyhawks ironically have been knocked out of the IHSA state playoffs field twice by Coal City in 2024 and also in 2018. Weird. Anyways I'm looking for some of the ussal suspects to be again in the top tier of the Kishwaukee River conference and to get back into the postseason in 2025.

Preseason Ranking? 2025 Preseason Class 4A Top 10 poll consideration

With regards to Lisle canceling their season…

Just checked the 8to18 and it looks like Thornton @ Wilmo week 6 is a go. Both Varsity and sophomore games. Bloom @ Coal City week 3 also.



Should be interesting. Some big time differences in enrollment.

Constantly seeing Twitter/Hudl profiles or recruiting site write-ups that say a kid is running 4.5 40's (or better). I bet in 15 min I could find a dozen local kids making that claim (or someone making that claim for them). For comparison sake, all Big Ten Illini WR & Broncos 3rd round pick Pat Bryant ran 4.61 at the combine. Pat isn't a burner by NFL standards, but still extremely hard for me to believe there are dozens of HS juniors in IL faster than a 22 year old Pat Bryant. I know some of this might be hand timed vs. laser timed, but plenty of these kids will say "laser time verified" or what have you.

So, does anyone have any insight into this? Innocent explanation- even within laser timing, there are different systems and so the kid is in fact recording a 4.5 on some system and reporting this, but that system somehow gives faster times than the ones used by NFL. Less innocent- people just exaggerate to look better. But in the second case, college coaches can't be dumb enough to believe those numbers, so what's the point of people posting them?

I have a pretty good feeling NIL played a big role here....good for the kid.

https://edgytim.rivals.com/news/four-star-te-gavin-mueller-talks-colorado-commitment

My Take and evaluation of South Elgin 2026 4 star ranked TE Gavin Mueller to Colorado plus some thoughtsa on NIL impacting the process from here on out

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I've been bored looking at all of the CCL talk, we get it. Carmel = good. CCL = good.
Interested in hearing thoughts of potential top 10 CPL teams this year when compared to other CPL teams.

Interested on thoughts and rankings of teams like Simeon, Kenwood, Amundsen, Lane, Taft, Whitney, etc.

I know a lot of CPL coaches lurk these forums, interested to hear from you guys.

Learned more about this on the golf course today.

This makes sense. It is keeping a kid off the US Women's National Team's development U16 team so she can remain eligible for New Trier.
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Down here in the south, little Izzy Dalke (a Gomric offspring) only plays club so she can play on the same USWNT development team.

2025 Morton Potters

Head Coach: Adam ONeill

Assistant Coaches:
Ben Zoss OC
Rocky Boyer STC/DB
Zack Davis QB
Zach Finney DL/H Backs
Vince Silverthorn OL/OLB
Jeff Roper OL/DL
Dan Gashaw Frosh
Marshall Tucker Frosh
Rod Richards Leadership
Jarrett Crider or TBA-WR

2025 Regular Season schedule (if known)

Mahomet Seymour
@ Marian Catholic
@ Canton
Metamora
@ Pekin
East Peoria
Limeston
@ Dunlap
Washington


Returning Offensive Starters for 2025

QB Isaac Davis 6' 205 JR
LT Soren Fifer 6'7 300 JR
LG Aaden Lemar 6'5 290 SR
C Joe Hearn 6'2 250 SR
WR Matt Sanders 6'3 195 SR
Y JJ Barnes 6'2 220 SR
H Back Isaac Beenders 5'11 205
WR Silas Steffen 6'3 180 SR


Returning Defensive Starters for 2025

DE JJ Barnes
NG Miles Chaffer 5'9 205 SR
ILB Isaac Beenders
ILB Joe Lopko 6'0 185 SR
DB Silas Steffen
DB Tate Shurman 5'9 175 SR

Newcomers to Watch

TB Keenan Smith 5'8 170 JR
TB/OLB Sage Lelm 6' 200 SO
OL Austin Rutledge 6'1 275 SO
WR Brenden Petty 6'5 170 JR

2024 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?


PND & Annawan Weathersfield in Morton
ISU Camp June 28
Morton Hosts SHG/Peoria/Moline July 22
@Rochester July 29
Washington 7 on 7

Impact Player for Morton

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Morton and head coach Adam ONeill will look to lean on a deeper and more experienced team back for the 2025 season. The Potters will rely pretty heavily on junior QB/ATH Isaac Davis this coming fall. Davis will be asked to provide production along with leadership both on and off the field for the Potters this summer and fall. Morton junior OT Soren Fifer will become one of the most sought after names in Illinois and the Midwest for the Potters who possesses Power 4 level tools dnd skills.

Looking for a sleeper name to watch for the Potters? Morton senior WR/DB Silas Steffen (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) is a talented two way starter for Morton again this fall who has been drawing FCS/D2 recruiting looks and attention this spring.


EDGY's Preseason Thoughts on the 2025 Morton Potters

Morton had an up and down season in 2024, posting a 4-5 record and came within a few possessions of going 4-5 to say 6-3 with three point losses to conference rivals Metamora (40-37 loss) and Pekin (27-24 loss). The Potters and head coach Adam ONeill can look forward to a much more experienced tewam, especially on the offensive side of the football inn 2025. The Morton schedule remains rough especially in the non conference games against Mahomet Seymour and Marian Catholic,but if the Potters can come away say 1-1 into Week 3/Mid Illini conference play all the better here.

The biggest question facing Morton this summer?

Can the Morton Potters get back into the post-season for the 2025 season? No question the overall depth and experience back tells us on paper that the Potters will be solid in 2025. Again the schedule is pretty stacked and again nothing will come easy here but this program more often than not seems to find a way to bounce back from it's 2024 4-5 showing this fall.

Preseason Ranking? 2025 Preseason Class 5A/4A Top 10 poll consideration

Running thread of teams who are not playing 11-man this year but say they want to play 11-man again in the future:

Lisle (season cancelled)
Macon Meridian (playing 8-man for two years)
Vienna/Goreville (season cancelled again)

Keep it updated, please, as new ones are announced!

Which IHSA Players are you looking forward to hopefully going in the NFL Draft?

For me Jermari Harris from Montini / Iowa and CJ West from Nazareth.

Didn't even know we were in the portal...lots of history between both companies mostly good some not so much. Lots of familiar faces and people as well. How does this impact things here? No idea to be honest same ole same ole for now.
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2025 Marian Central Catholic Hurricanes

Head Coach: Liam Kirwan

Assistant Coaches:

John Georgeoff- Offensive Coordinator
Shawn Wochner- Director of Football Operations
Darren Fortin '84- Offensive Line
Nic Lloyd- Receivers
Chris Taylor- Linebackers
Jose Capistran- Defensive Line
Kalen Smith- F/S Head Coach
Chuck Valle- F/S Assistant


2025 Regular Season schedule (if known)

Week 0 8/22 vs. Boylan Catholic
Week 1 8/29 vs. Richmond Burton
Week 2 9/5 vs. Chicago Clemente
Week 3 9/12 vs Chicago Hope Academy
Week 4 9/19 @ Wheaton Academy
Week 5 9/26 vs Chicago Christian
Week 6 10/3 @ Bishop McNamara
Week 7 10/10 @ Christ the King Jesuit College Prep
Week 8 10/17 vs St. Edward
week 9 10/24 @ Aurora Christian


Returning Offensive Starters for 2025

Matt Conlon/Center/ 6'2 245 lbs/ 2026
George Kordopitoulas OL 6'3 270 lbs. 2027
Colin Hernon QB 6'3 175 lbs. 2028
Eddie Kowalczyk RB/WR 5'9 165lbs. 2027
Max Kinney WR 5'9 162 lbs. 2027
Mike Schmid RB/WR 5'8 167 lbs. 2027
Wilson Jakubowicz WR 5'10 157 lbs. 2027
Chase Hojnacki RB/WR 5'10 190 lbs. 2028


Returning Defensive Starters for 2025

Dan French Linebacker 6'0 215 lbs 2026
Josh Gawronski DB 6'0 170 lbs 2026
George Kordopitoulas DL 6'3 270 lbs. 2027
Eddie Kowalczyk DB 5'9 165lbs. 2027
Max Kinney DB 5'9 162 lbs. 2027
Mike Schmid DB 5'8 167 lbs. 2027


Newcomers to Watch

Chase Hojnacki after an injury in week 2, I think he will be a impact player both on offense and defense as a sophomore on varsity this coming season

2024 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

6/25 Johnsburg 7 on 7
7/15-7/17 UW Platteville Team Camp
7/29 11 on 11 with DuPec and North Boone
Looking to add one more


Impact Player for Marian Central Catholic

Marian Central Catholic and head coach Liam Kirwan will look towards a strong underclassmen group this fall to provide production and also leadership. Marian Central Catholic 2027 OL/DL George Kordopitoulas (6-foot-3, 270 pounds) is a good sixed kid already who will get bigger and stronger over the next two seasons. Look for Kordopitoulas to also provide leadership to the rest of the Hurricanes talented but young underclassmen in 2025.

Looking for a sleeper name to watch for the Hurricanes? Marian Central Catholic 2028 QB Colin Hernon is still young and very much a work in progress, yet the Hurricanes are somewhat quietly getting excited for Hernon's ability and potential upside starting this fall.

EDGY's Preseason Thoughts on the 2025 Marian Central Catholic
Marian Central Catholic and head coach Liam Kirwan continues to climb up the standings along with rebuilding the Hurricanes program, a school and football program with a ton of tradition and history of success. The Hurricanes last season posted a 3-6 record and faced and lost to 6 IHSA state playoff teams including one state champion in DePaul Prep. While the 2025 schedule will be as strong as last season, the Hurricanes welcome back a younger yet still experienced team this fall which should have a better chance at competing against the heavy hitters on the schedule this fall.

The biggest question facing Marian Central Catholic this summer?

Can the Hurricanes reload at a few vital positions and make a run towards a state playoff berth this season? MCC welcomes back a good group of experienced players especially in the offensive skills department....yet the bigegst question is who will be blocking along with who will be playing on the defensive line in 2025? The Hurricanes welcome back just one starter on each side of the line in two way starter sophomore George Kordopitoulas and it's always dangerous when you need to rely on a two way starter...the point being you better have depth ready in case of injuries etc. The big watch will be on the lines this early season for MCC.

Preseason Ranking? None yet

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Just the rough footage here sorry it's taking sooooo long but will start to crank things out this week from The Stage

I'll re-release this for free in a day or two

Papa Leo, not to be confused with Jewish Uncle Leo, is a Southsider who grew up in suburban Dolton but attended church at St. Mary of the Assumption. Cardinal Prevost then attended the Catholic Theology Union in Hyde Park from 1978 to 1982. During that time, he taught as a substitute teacher at St. Rita High School.

2025 Normal West Wildcats

Head Coach: Nathan Fincham

Assistant Coaches:

Darren Hess, Duane Thoennes, DT Thornton, Kyrin Tucker, Brett Werner Powell, Gavin Tellor, Rich Thoennes, Ken Frost, Wes Gaddis, Devin Doran, Robert Harris, Jamell Jamison

2025 Regular Season schedule (if known)

1: @ Peoria Notre Dame
2: vs Normal Community
3: vs Danville
4: @ Bloomington
5: @ Peoria
6: @ Waubonsie Valley
7: vs Peoria Manual
8: @ Champaign Central
9: vs Urbana

Returning Offensive Starters for 2025

Jrue Mangruem/QB/6'1/180/2026
Maliq Givens/WR/5'9/180/2026
Cody Muhlbauer/RB/5'10/185/2027
Efoe Baskins/WR/5/9/170/2027
Jordan Stovall/OL/6'2/235/2027


Returning Defensive Starters for 2025

Keagan Brown/DL/6'2/215/2026
Briar Leenerman/LB/6'2/210/2026
Maliq Givens/DB/5'9/180/2026
Efoe Baskins/DB/5'9/170/2027

Newcomers to Watch

CJ Porter/RB & DB/5'9/180/2027
Nolan Howe/LB & QB/6'2/200/2027
Cade Gonzalez/DL & WR/6'2/190/2027
Amari Lee/OL & DL/6'1/215/2026
Marquell Gibbs/OL & DL/6'2/350/2026
Caden Slagley/OL/5'10/210/2026
Devin McCloud/LB & TE/6'1/210/2026

2024 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

Hosting 7v7s at Normal West vs Local Teams on Tuesdays in July
Joint Practice with Mahomet, Springfield, Washington @ Springfield on Wednesday, July 9th
Chatham Glenwood 7v7 on Friday July 11th


Impact Player for Normal West

Normal West always seems to have a solid talent base within the program and they will again have some higher level names to watch this coming fall. I've been fan of Normal West QB Jrue Mangruem over the past few seasons. Mangruem is an athletic dual threat quarterback who is as dangerous running with the football as he is sticking in the pocket and beating opposing teams with his arm. Mangruem also could draw recruiting looks and attention as an athlete type of prospect this fll and has the abilities to play any number of positions (QB/RB/WR/DB) at the college level.

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Looking for a sleeper name to watch for the Wildcats? Keep an eye on senior two way starter WR/DB Maliq Givins who is a speedy and twitchy athlete who will again be a big play threat this season for Normal West. Givins has talent and has been drawing various FCS/D2 attention this spring.

EDGY's Preseason Thoughts on the 2025 Normal West Wildcats

Year in and year out the Normal West Wildcats are in the hunt for the Big 12 conference title and has been one of the upper level teams and should remain near the top of the conference in 2025. Normal West has a good core of returning starters back for the 2025 season and also a good group of underclassmen ready to make the move up to the varsity this fall. Normal west head coach Nathan Fincham has posted a solid 53-18 record in 7 seasons and this programs hasn't missed the IHSA state playoff field in his tenure.


The biggest question facing Normal West this summer?

Can Normal West reload upfront on the lines on both sides of the football this summer? Normal West will no question need to reload on the lines with just one starter back on offense (Jordan Stovall) and one back on defense (Keagan Brown). If the Wildcats can find some answers this summer upfront this team will again make a run in the Big 12 conference and beyond.

Preseason Ranking? 2025 Preseason Class 6A Top 10 poll consideration

2025 Erie-Prophetstown Panthers

Head Coach: Tyler Whitebread

Assistant Coaches:

Damian DeMay
Jesse Abbott
Kyle Foster
John Widener
Philip Coers


2025 Regular Season schedule (if known)

vs. Kewanee
@ Hall
@ Sterling Newman
vs. Rockridge
@Mercer County
vs. Riverdale
@Orion
vs. Mendota
@ Princeton

Returning Offensive Starters for 2025

Keegan Winckler/QB/5'11/175/Sr
Max Milem/RB/5'8/Sr
Derek Naftzger/G/6'0/210/Jr
Caleb Reymer/T/6'3/275/Jr
Gaven Adams/WR/5'10/190/Sr
Connor Keegan/WR/5'11/170/Sr

Returning Defensive Starters for 2025

Caleb Reymer/DT/6'3/275
Derek Naftzger/DE/6'0/210
Gaven Adams/LB/5'10/190
Jordae Crow/LB/5'7/180/Sr
Tristan Hovey/LB/5'6/165/Jr
Evan Steimle/LB/6'2/205/Jr
Keegan Winckler/CB/5'10/175/Sr
Connor Keegan/CB/5'11/170/Sr


Newcomers to Watch

Hayden DeVore - Senior
Carter Hadaway - Junior
Alex Ottens - Junior
John Holland - Sophomore
Mason Minssen - Sophomore


2024 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

Fulton 7v7
Morrison 7v7

Impact Player for Erie Prophetstown

The Panthers and head coach Tyler Whitebread welcomes back an experienced starting lineup this season yet one name I feel is worth taking a serious look at this season. Erie Prophetstown junior OL/DL Caleb Reyman (6-foot-3. 275 pounds) has impressive size and looks the part when it comes to having the potential to play at the college level.

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EDGY's Preseason Thoughts on the 2025 Erie Prophetstown Panthers

Erie Prophetstown and head coach Tyler Whitebread is coming off a 5-5 season as the Panthers made the IHSA stater playoff field for the first time since the 2021 season and for just the second time since 2014. The Panthers lost to 2A power Bismarck Henning in Round 1 action in the 2024 IHSA Class 2A state playoffs. Look for the Panthers to reload this summer and toi again have a shot at contending in the very tough Three Rivers Rock confernece in 2025.

The biggest question facing Erie Prophetstown this summer?

Can the Panthers close the gap in 2025 against the powers of the Three Rivers conference inckhding state powers in Newman Central Catholic and Rockridge this fall? No question EP will have a deeper and more experienced team this season, and as always the bigger question remains can the Panthers develop more overall numbers and depth? If the Panthers can reload especially on the offensive and defensive lines this team could open some eyes this coming fall.

Preseason Ranking? Preseason Class 2A Top 10 consideration

After 38 years at the head of Niles Notre Dame's football team, Coach Henn is retiring. He is also retiring as AD. Countless young men were taught more than football by Coach. His impact on every Don, on the football program, on the athletics program and on the school itself will never be forgotten.

Thank you, Coach, for everything.