What team in 2024 scores the most total points for the year?

What team in 2024 has the most offensive yardage in 2024?

What team starts the most running clocks by the 4th quarter?

Just so you know I got Byron.

This is still a work in progress....I hope to have this completed Thursday evening and I will remove this when the story is finished and edited. Thanks

Please note.....I'm using Steve Soucie's Preseason Playoff Projections with his permission. Please DO NOT share this anywhere on social media including Steve's projections along with my thoughts. Any violation of this simple rule will immediately void your subscription status with no questions asked. Any questions please refer to the Message Board rules and Yahoo Terms and Conditions pinned at the top of this board or email me edgytim@edgytim.com I will re-release this for free a little bit down the road and again this is NOT a final poll.

Thanks

2024 EDGYTIM Preliminary Class 4A Top 10 poll

1. Rochester- The defending Class 4A state champions and easily one of the top overall football programs in Illinois over the past two decades will simply reload this summer. The Rockets and head coach Derek Leonard (198-36 in 19 seasons) will be seeking the programs 10th state title in 2024. Rochester welcomes back just 5 returning starters (3 offense 2 defense) including senior QB Bryan Zulauf and no one has reloaded as well as Derek Leonard and the Rockets.

2. IC Catholic Prep The Knights and head coach Bill Krefft have built a small school enrollment dynasty over the last several seasons, but can this team and program reload after graduating an amazing senior class this past spring? A lot of new but very talented faces will step up this summer and beyond.

3. Mt. Zion The Braves will no question be very capable of scoring points in bunches this fall. The Mt. Zion offense looks strong this summer and keep an eye on junior 4 star ranked TE JC Anderson along with senior 3 star ranked WR Brayden Trimble (Illinois) plus senior WR/DB Jacob Harvey. Also Mt. Zion junior QB Keller Stocks looked really impressive in 7on7 and has the look for a quarterback capable of some big things in 2024.


4. Morris The Morris Football Club and head coach Alan Thorson will look to reload after making it to the Class 4A state quarterfinals losing to JCA to end the season. Morris welcomes back 10 starters (5 offense 5 defense) and the offense will lean on three starters back at receiver led by senior WR Jack Wheeler (6-foot-5, 190 pounds). Morris will again reload as well as any program in 4A this summer.

5. Richmond Burton The Rockets and Hall of Fame head coach Mike Noll are coming off a 7-3 season in 2023, the first time in Noll's tenure that the Rockets won just single digit games in a season. Richmond Burton welcomes back 11 returning starters (5 offense 6 defense) and I'm expecting a much more motivated RB team this summer and also in 2024 and a Rockets team that will play as physical as anyone in the state.

6. St. Viator Do Not overlook the Lions here. St Viator and head coach Dave Archibald welcomes back an impressive 16 returning starters including 9 on offense. Senior QB Cooper Kmet (yes Cole's younger brother) has a cannon and plenty of quality skills surrounding him this summer.

7. Murphysboro The Red Devils and head coach Gary Carter has gotten the program to 6 straight IHSA state playoff appearances and are coming off an 11-2 record in 2023. Look for Murphysboro to again challenge to win the Southern Illinois River to River (Ohio) conference and beyond in 2024.

8. Wheaton Academy The Warriors and head coach Jim Johanik are also coming off a solid 11-2 season in 223 and welcome back 15 returning starters including 8 starters back on offense. A big question this summer is can the Warriors reload at quarterback? Gone is standout QB Belay Brummel from a season ago and if the WA offense can show anything close to the last handful of seasons...this is a dangerous team here in 4A in 2024.

9. St. Laurence The Vikings and head coach Adam Nissen also had a fantastic 2023 season making it to the Class 4A state title game before losing to Rochester. No question the Vikings will need top reload this summer especially on offense with just two starters back....but this program no question has continued to climb higher and if they can find a way to make the IHSA playoffs and survive a rugged regular season slate...the Vikings could be a very hard team to matchup against in the post-season.

10. DePaul Prep Shhhh. The Rams are another program that has been somewhat quietly climbing out and up going 2-7, 3-6 and then 4-5 last season for head coach Mike Passarella. DePaul Prep is a growing school and football program and welcomes back 16 returning starters (8 offense 8 defense) this fall. The regular season schedule is no joke here but if the Rams can get to 5 wins? Look out 4A.

My 5 Class 4A Teams Who Just Missed:

Boylan
Anna Jonesboro
Chicago Phillips
Coal City
Cahokia

The Blackhawks are hosting it's 7on7 tomorrow morning includes some good programs I need to see such as Morris. Batavia and a handful of others....,

Oswego East Wolves

Head Coach: Tyson LeBlanc

Assistant Coaches:

Dan Dunbar, Joe Schmitt, Patrick Molinari, JD Rice, Ryan Clifford, Garrett Fidducia, Nate Davidson, Anthony DiNardo, Derrick Jones, Connor Augenstine, Eric Patnoudes, Brandon Cooks, Nick Calabrese

Conference: Southwest Prairie West


Team Twitter:

@OEHSFootball


2024 Regular Season schedule (if known)

8/30 vs Waubonsie Valley 7:00pm
9/6 @ Sycamore 7:00pm
9/13 @ Plainfield East 7:00pm
9/20 vs Plainfield South 7:00pm
9/27 @ Minooka 7:00pm
10/4 vs Plainfield North 7:00pm
10/11 vs Bolingbrook 7:00pm
10/18 @ Yorkville 7:00pm
10/25 vs Oswego 7:00pm

Returning Offensive Starters for 2024

Niko Villacci QB, 5'10, 175 2026
Jasiah Watson, RB, 5'10, 170 2026
Lincoln Ijams, WR, 6'0, 175 2026
TJ Stamatis, WR, 5'9, 165 2025


Returning Defensive Starters for 2024:

Zach Morrisroe, DL, 6'3, 265, 2025
Blaise Chin, DL, 6'3, 230 2025
Jake Boissiere, LB, 6'1, 185, 2025
Jordyn Lewis, LB, 6'2, 190, 2025
Andy Pohlman, DB, 6'3, 175, 2025
Nigel Grisby, DB, 6'0, 165, 2025

Newcomers to Watch:

Tristan Baur, DB, 5'9, 155, 2025
Brett Potts, DB, 6'1, 170, 2025
Donovin Eason, WR, 5'9, 150, 2026
Connor Griffin, OL, 5'10, 250, 2026
Rocco LaCalamita, OL, 6'2, 230, 2026
Ty'Rel Thomas, ATH, 5'9, 160, 2027

2024 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

Team Camp June 10 - July 25
7 on 7
June 25, Naperville North
July 13, Downers Grove South
July 18, Batavia
July 23, Kaneland

Joint Pratcie
July 16 @ Sterling

Impact Player for Oswego East

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Oswego East no question just graduated a very good and deep senior class this past spring, yet the Wolves still have plenty of key namesd to watch this fall. Oswego East senior DL Zach Morrisroe (6-foot-3, 265 pounds) is a big, strong and physical linemen who has good size and makes plays down in and down out. Look for Zacj Morrisrow to end up playing a ton this fall on both sides of the football when needed.

Looking or a sleeper name to watch this fall for Oswego East? Oswego East senior DL Blaize Chin (6-foot-3, 240 pounds) along with senior DB Andy Pohlman (6-foot-3, 175 (pounds) are impressive playmakers for the Wolves and both will continue to draw increased recruiting attention this remaining summer and fall.

EDGY's Preseason Thoughts on the 2024 Oswego East Wolves

Oswego East and head coach Tyson LeBlanc has build the Wolves into a consistent winner in the Southwest Prairie West conference. The Wolves are looking to improve upon a 3-6 season in 2023 and missed the IHSA state playoff field for just the second time since the 2013 season. Oswego East head coach Tyson LeBlanc has posted a 64-51 record in 12 seasons at Oswego East and has made the IHSA state playoffs in 9 of those 12 seasons.

The biggest question facing Oswego East this summer?

Can the Wolves rebound from a rare losing season in 20233 and get back to its winning ways? The Wolves will welcome back 10 returning starters (4 offense 6 defense) this summer and the defense in particular will be a strength this season. Oswego East always has talent and athletes in the building and the Wolves offense has looked pretty solid this summer at various 7on7 events. I see this Oswego East team again being in the conference title hunt and I can see this team winding up as say a 6-3/5-4 caliber team this fall.

Preseason Ranking? Not Yet.

Still no cable and or internet connection except off cellular data since 7am…..will see how the test of today goes before I’ll need to come up with an alternative work arraignment sorry for the lack of stories today

Fine here still issues with no WiFi power etc this AM so I’m in a bit of a rain delay for now. Soon as I’m able, I’ll have stories up the rest of the day.

We don’t always agree but at least 10 Tornadoes on the ground in South Burbs,Joliet,Naperville headed to Burbank & Downtown. Please be safe everyone

Finally getting a chance to check out the schedules and wow the big boys of this state don’t run from anybody. Powerhouse matchups all over the place amongst the top 25-30 teams in the state.

Whose waiting for what? Gonna be tough deciding which games to go to. Saw GBW has Batavia + Loyola in non conf to start the year 👀.

Please note.....I'm using Steve Soucie's Preseason Playoff Projections with his permission. Please DO NOT share this anywhere on social media including Steve's projections along with my thoughts. Any violation of this simple rule will immediately void your subscription status with no questions asked. Any questions please refer to the Message Board rules and Yahoo Terms and Conditions pinned at the top of this board or email me edgytim@edgytim.com I will re-release this for free a little bit down the road and again this is NOT a final poll.

Thanks

2024 EDGYTIM Preliminary Class 6A Top 10 poll

1. Cary Grove - The defending Class 6A state champion Trojans and head coach Brad Seaburg have won the 6A state title in two out of the last three seasons over 6A and state wide power East St. Louis...and in my eyes this program has been (admittedly) under valued in the team rankings over the past decade or so. No longer. The Trojans welcome back 9 returning starters (6 offense 3 defense) led by the state's biggest bad ass fullback/linebacker in junior Logan Abrams along with QB Peyton Seaburg plus a handful of starters back on the offensive line. The defense will need to reload.....but this program just finds a way year in and year out. Again....no one in this preseason 6A poll is overwhelming and all teams have questions and holes to fill this summer. In the end gives props to a program that has gotten it done at the highest level.

2. East St Louis - I remember in the not too distant past when East St. Louis head coach Darren Sunkett was questioned and second guessed more than a Chicago Bears head coach...yet Sunk and his staff found a way and have never looked back since those early days. The Flyers for the 2024 season you ask? The Flyers will as usual have a roster filled with promise and high level talent....yet this will also be a much less experienced team to kick off the season that we will see in a handful of years for the East Side. The offense will lean on sophomore QB Kendrick Lyons who looks the part along with senior RB Laverious Woods and a healthy senior RB TaRyan Martin who will run behind two starter back upfront on the offensive line. The Flyers defense welcomes back 6 returning starters including an All Star level secondary led by senior 4 star ranked S Charles Bass (Missouri) plus three starting linebacker return from a season ago. Once the Flyers survive it's annual grueling regular season slate....look out.

3. Kankakee - The Kays as expected really didn't skip a beat in 2023 as new head coach Miles Osei stepped in and kept the Kays program rolling along. Kankakee welcomes back 18 returning starters (9 offense 9 defense) and features a ton of speed and high level athletes all over the field. Keep an eye this fall on senior ATH James Stampley Jr. who is a do it all type along with senior LB Kennyan Chandler plus junior QB Cedrick Terrell Jr. and an offensive line anchored by four returning starters.

4. Providence Catholic The Celtics and head coach Tyler Plantz in 2023 played a ton of underclassmen and this year looks like the time that patience should pay off on the Emerald Isle. Providence will lean on 17 returning starters back including 10 starters on defense. The Celtics offense is led by junior QB Leo Slepski who made big strides as the season progressed in 2023 along with big and physical line play led by junior OL Bryce Tenca and senior OL Brendan Grohn. The remaining skill position players are again young but highly talented and keep an eye on sophomore ATH Xavier Coleman along with sophomore ATH Curtis Stubbs. Again think returning experience and loaded underclassmen here for the Celtics in 2024.

5. Lake Zurich This could very well change at the end of the regular season and Lake Zuricxh could wind up back in 7A...but for our purposes they are listed as a 6A team. Lake Zurich and head coach Ron Plantz welcomes back 13 returning starters and this Bears team will lean on a big, strong and experienced offensive line. The Lake Zurich defense, always a staple of this program for decades will again have some key names back this fall including senior LB George DiCanio along with senior DSL Nape Snep.

6. Simeon The Wolverines begin the Sinque Turner era after longtime Simeon legendary HC Dante Culbreath decided to retire after last season. Senior QB Kaleb Sinms is a name to watch along with senior 4 star ranked DE Christopher Burgess Jr, (Notre Dame) and incoming transfer DE McHale Blade who played last season at Hillcrest and will key a potentially dominant Wolverines defensive line.

7. Crete-Monee The Warriors and veteran head coach John Kornecki played a ton of underclassmen in 2023 and welcomes back 15 returning starters including 9 on the offensive side of the football. Keep an eye on junior WR/DB Jayden Marshall who's already on multiple recruiting radar screens this summer along with junior QB Derrin Crouch plus 4 starters back on the Warriors offensive line.

8. Glenwood The Titans and head coach Davide Hay also went the youth route in 2023 and finished the season with 12 returning starters back including 7 back on the offensive side of the football. The Titans offense is also keyed by an impressive group of offensive skills led by junior QB Colten Lnoedler along with senior WR Gavin Simmons plus senior TE Jonathan Helm, junior WR Blake Lehnen, senior WR/TE Mason Neumann and senior RB/QB Brady Dwyer.,

9. Geneva Geneva and head coach Boone Thorgesen continues to move the Vikings program forward and are looking to build off it's 9-3 record last season. The Vikings offense features one of the nation's top prep receiver in Geneva four star ranked WR Talyn Taylor (Georgia) and an offense that welcomes back 9 returning starters. The defense also has experience this fall and if the Vikings can settle at a handful of positions this summer and this program can again makes some post-season noise in 6A.

10. Libertyville Libertyville is looking to build upon it's 2023 5-5 record as the Wildcats have made the IHSA state playoff field in 8 out of the last 9 playoff seasons. The Wildcats welcome back several key names including senior OG Rhett Van Boening (Army) along with junior WR Blaise LaVista who is drawing more and more recruiting attention this summer. I just got a feeling about this team in 2024.

My 5 Class 6A Teams Who Just Missed:

Blue Island Eisenhower The Cardinals will look to move forward minus former head coach Sheamus Murphy wjo took an admin job at his alma matter Sandburg. The Eisenhhower roster is far from bare this summer and kep an eye on Illinois commit senior 3 star ATH Andre Lovett plus sophomore OL/DL Sincere Harris.

Antioch The Och no question graduated several key starters from a season ago, yet they still welcome back 11 returning starters (6 offense 5 defense) and this team will still be a favorite in the Northern Lake County conference this fall.

Dunlap The Eagles also bring back 11 returning starters including 7 back on offense this fall. Dunlap junioor 4 star ranked TE Mack Sutter will play multiple positions again for the Eagles and is one of the state's top impact players and junior QB John Bargen is a key name to watch this fall.

Niles Notre Dame The Dons just beat up everyone they play week in and week out. If they can survive the always loaded CCL/ESCC regular season schedule they can be a very dangerous team to watch in 6A regardless of the regular season record.

Washington The Panthers have a new head coach in longtime assistant coach and DC Todd Stevens and look for this proud program to reload just fine this fall. The Panthers poffense welcomes back 7 returning starters anf this offense also added a new/old face and big time weapon in junior WR Adrian AJ Jones who played last season for Bolingbrook.

Next? My 2024 Preseason Class 5A Top 10 and 5 Who Just Missed.

West Chicago High School

Head Coach: Adam Chavez

Assistant Coaches

Joe Duszynski
Kevin Jarosz
David Niziolek
David Muenster
Malko Odishoo
Dave Wagner
Blake Zumpano
Dan Greco
Jack Niziolek
Conor Zaputil
Matt Zuffante
Sam Kintop


School Nickname/Mascot: Wildcats

Conference: Upstate 8

Team Twitter Handle:

@WestChicagoFB


2024 Regular Season schedule (if known)

Week 0-Romeoville
Round Lake
@Joliet Central
@Glenebard South
@Ridgewood
South Elgin
@Elmwood Park
@Gelnbard East
Riverside-Brookfield
Fenton


Returning Offensive Starters for 2024

Carter Naranjo, QB 5'9" 160 2026
Maha Aung, Wing 5'10" 205 2025
Tommy Doyle, WR 6"1" 185 2025
David Weber, Wing 6'2" 210 2026
Ali Nasib, OL 5'11" 275 2025
Ean Arizmendi, OL 6'0" 270 2026
Angelo Jimenez, OL 5'10" 250 2025
Markus Abdullah, OL 6'1" 2025

Returning Defensive Starters for 2024:

Diego Contreras 5'10" 190 2025
Roman Zolota 6'2" 190 2026
Robert Lee 5'10" 175 2025
Jayden Rosario 6'0" 225 2026
Tommy Murphy, 5'9" 170 2025

Newcomers to Watch

Isiah Sylvester OLB 6'2" 180 2027
Erik Hoffmann OLB 6'0" 170 2026
Daniel Papp DB 5'7" 170 2027
Oscar Giron OL 6'1" 280

2024 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

NA

Impact Player for West Chicago

West Chicago senior WR Tommy Doyle (6-foot-1, 285 pounds) is a talented and athletic play maker and a rare downfield deep ball threat in the Wildcats generally ground and pound option running offensive attack.


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Looking or a sleeper name to watch this fall for West Chicago? Two underclassmen names to watch are West Chicago junior RB/LB David Weber along with sophomore OL Isiah Sylvester this fall for West Chicago.


EDGY's Preseason Thoughts on the 2024 West Chicago Wildcats

West Chicago and second year head coach Adam Chavez had a huge 2023 season as the Wildcats made the IHSA state playoff field for just the second time in school history (2002 and 2023). The Wildcats made the 2023 Class 7A state playoff field in 2023 and lost to Quincy in first round action.

The biggest question for West Chicago heading into 2024?

Can the Wildcats continue it's winning ways in 2024 and make back to back state playoff appearances for the first time in school history? West Chicago has some very winnable games this coming season in my opinion and if they can find a way and capture a handful of in conference wins this could definitely be a potential state playoff team this fall.

Preseason Ranking? Not yet

Glenbrook South Titans

Head Coach: Dave Schoenwetter

Assistant Coaches:

Travis Myers
Adam Clendenning
Mike Jones
Gunnar Vogel
Anthony Griffin
Ossy Simmons
John Klasen
Chris Albandia
David Bajjalieh
Billy Smith
Jack Downing

Conference: Central Suburban South

Team Twitter:

@GBStitanFB

2024 Regular Season schedule (if known)

FRIDAY 8/30/24 Away York
FRIDAY 9/6/24 Home Lake Zurich
FRIDAY 9/13/24 Away Barrington
FRIDAY 9/20/24 Home Hersey
FRIDAY 9/27/24 Homecoming Evanston
FRIDAY 10/4/24 Away Deerfield
Thursday 10/10/24 Home Maine South
FRIDAY 10/18/24 Away New Trier
FRIDAY 10/20/23 Home Glenbrook North


Returning Offensive Starters for 2024

Wehbe Wehbe TE, 6'3, 215lb, '25
Alejandro Casas OG, 6'0, 250, '25
Hawken Anderson OT, 6'4, 305, '26
Ben Sorkin OT, 6'3, 245, '25
Tyrone Cotton III, WR, 6'3, 180, '25


Returning Defensive Starters for 2024:

Tyrone Cotton III, DB 6'3, 180, '25
Adidum Aadum, DB 6'3, 185, '26
Landon Hooten OSLB 6'1, 180, '25
Wehbe Wehbe DE 6'3, 215, '25
Aldin Habibiovic DE 6'2, 190, '25
Danny O'Neil ISLB 6'0, 185. '27
Henry Downing DT 5'8, 180, '25
Munk Tsog DE 6'4 205, '26

Newcomers to Watch:

Andrew Bonvechio QB 6'1, 185, '26
James Dooman RB 6'0, 190, '26
Jacob Malek RB 5'9, 185, '25
Spencer Courtad DB/WR, 6', 175, '25
Jack Valentinas WR/DB 5'10, 165, '25


2024 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

TBA

Impact Player for Glenbrook South

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Glenbrook South has a strong roster filled with some talented names with quite a bit of varsity experience this fall. Glenbrook South senior WR/DB Tyrone Cotton III (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) is already verbally committed to FCS national power South Dakota State and is no question an impact player for the Titans this fall. Cotton III has impressive speed, size and ball skills and awareness. I'm very impressed with Cotton III ball skills and ability to lock down an opposing receiver on defense along with being a very good overall finisher. Cotton III in my opinion will continue to draw more recruiting looks and attention this summer and fall.

Looking or a sleeper name to watch this fall for Glenbrook South? Glenbrook South has two underclassmen names to watch in Glenbrook South junior OL Hawken Anderson (6-foot-4, 305 pounds) and junior defensive linemen Munk Tsog (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) hare both impressive names who continiue to grow and develop into higher profile names to watch this coming season.

EDGY's Preseason Thoughts on the 2024 Glenbrook South Titans

Glenbrook South and head coach David Schoenwetter are coming off a 4-6 record in 2023 as the Titans made the 2023 IHSA state playoff despite a 4-5 regular season record in what could be considered a down season in the Central Suburban South. The Titans made the 8A state playoff field and lost in opening round action to Barrington. Glenbrook South under David Schoenwetter has posted a 36-39 record in 8 seasons and the Titans have made the IHSA state playoffs now in thrtee straight seasons.

The biggest question facing Glenwood South this summer?

Can this be the season that the Titans surprise and become a major player in both the Central Suburban South race and also in 8A? Glenbrook South had a very young team in 2023 and welcome back an impressive 13 returning starters (5 offense 8 defense) . This was also a Titans team that played pretty much everyone tough last season and this should be a team that I feel is on the rise and a nice sleeper potential in Class 8A this fall.

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

Please post any summer 7 on 7 matchups here.

I enjoy spending a day off of work in the summer in the sun watching 7 on 7 football. I'm sure others do also.

Oswego Panthers

Head Coach: Brian Cooney

Assistant Coaches:

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

Conference: Southwest Prairie West

Team Twitter:

@Cooneypanthers

2024 Regular Season schedule (if known)

Aug 30 7:00 H Naperville (Neuqua Valley)
Sep 6 7:00 H Joliet (Catholic Academy)
Sep 13 7:00 A Plainfield (Central)
Sep 20 7:00 H Joliet (Central)
Sep 27 7:00 H Plainfield (North)
Oct 4 7:00 A Bolingbrook
Oct 11 7:00 A Yorkville (H.S.)
Oct 18 7:00 H Minooka
Oct 25 7:00 A Oswego (East)

Returning Offensive Starters for 2024


Cain, Jeremiah 2025 WR 6'2 165
Connolly, Brett 2025 QB 5’10” 160
Kelly, Michael 2025 WR 6’1" 165
McCollum, Ben 2025 OL 6'3" 290
King, Dylan 2025 FB/TE 6' 216
Bisgrove, Brendan 2025 TE/OL 6’4" 245
Logan, Isaiha 2025 OL 5'10" 225
Andersen, Lucas 2025 FB 5'10" 215
Manikas Teddy 2026 WR 5’10 165

Returning Defensive Starters for 2024:


Claycombe Mikey 2025 LB 6'1'' 200
Cooney Carson 2025 LB 6'3" 225
Flores Joshua 2025 DL 5'11" 260
Taylor Christian 2025 DL 5'11" 260
O'Toole Patrick 2025 DB 6'3" 205
Ruby Easton 2025 LB 6’2" 206
Sweiss Jordan 2025 DL 6’2" 206
Cain, Jeremiah 2025 DB 6'2 165

Newcomers to Watch:

TBA

2024 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

Naperville North - 7 on 7 at NN 6/11/24
Kaneland - 7 on 7 at Kaneland 7/9/24
Waubonsie Vally - Joint Practice location tbd - 7/18
West Aurora Linemen Challenge - 7/11
Batavia - Joint Practice - 7/23/24 at OHS

Impact Player for Oswego

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Oswego head coach Brian Cooney doesn't need to look very far for his program's top player and leader. Oswego senior 3 star ranked ILB Carson Cooney is a talented, big strong and very physical linebacker who is already verbally committed to Iowa. Cooney has tremendous instincts, runs well and can become an impact player whenever he is on ther field for the Panthers again this fall.

Looking or a sleeper name to watch this fall for Oswego? Oswego senior WR Dyllan Malone is a tall, lamnky and very athletic receiver for the Panthers. Malone, who is verbally committed to NIU I feel will continue to draw increased recruiting looks and attention this fall. Malone has very good speed and hands and I believe can play at the lower Big Ten level in my opinion.

EDGY's Preseason Thoughts on the 2024 Oswego Panthers

Oswego and head coach Brian Cooney has continued to win games in bunches and the Panthers program remains a very proud and a very strong winner in the Southwestern burbs now for decades. Cooney has posted an impressive 95-31 record in 12 seasons and Oswego has missed the IHSA state playoff field just once (2022) in his 12 seasons leading the football program. The Panthers finished the 2023 season with a 6-4 record but lost in opening round 8A action to Warren Township.

The biggest question facing Oswego his summer?

Can the Panthers make a deep postseason run in 2024 and also win the SW Prairie West? The roster is strong and welcomes back an impressive 17 returning starters (9 offense 8 defense) and this program always has size, is always strong and plays very physical football at all times. If the offense can get the play action passing game in gear the Panthers could become a very nice sleeper team to watch this fall in 8A.

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

Please note.....I'm using Steve Soucie's Preseason Playoff Projections with his permission. Please DO NOT share this anywhere on social media including Steve's projections along with my thoughts. Any violation of this simple rule will immediately void your subscription status with no questions asked. Any questions please refer to the Message Board rules and Yahoo Terms and Conditions pinned at the top of this board or email me edgytim@edgytim.com
Thanks

Steve Soucie's 2024 Projected Preseason Class 8A teams




Next: Top Teams Under Consideration for the Class 8A Top 10 poll

Yeah I know I need a life. I've been getting/hearing various reports of renovations and upgrades going on at Hanson Stadium over the past few years......yet for whatever reason I can never get anything official on what exactly is the plan for this facility so....I decided to go see for myself.

Admittedly I always pretty much hated going to and covering games at the old Hanson for various reasons (outdated facility/bad turf/horrible lights/non stop traffic issues and just a very congested area with very little parking etc) yet like some of the other old school city stadiums.....Hanson has a ton of history etc.



Again sorry if the photos aren't exactly more telling but as you can see just getting near the stadium and getting a good look inside is tough right now between several areas marked off during the construction.

So.....the good? The old Hanson has basically been killed off. Hanson Stadium has new field turf, new stands along with a new scoreboard and most importantly a new digital lighting system. It looks really good and once all of the work is done it will look even better.

I guess what I didn't realize is that the overall scope of this renovation is much bigger than I expected. The majority of the on the field works seems to be done....but a big portion of this work is the underneath infrastructure cement and steel support work that still needs to be done underneath the stadium on both sides. It looks like this important portion of the project isn't anywhere close to being done in my opinion....right now I'm not sure that this would be approved for fans to be allowed in the stadium because of all ther work still in progress.

Again I'm no construction manager but I still see a ton of work that still needs to happen. Again I'm definitely encouraged at what's happened so far.....but as far as being able to host games this fall? I don't see it for now but I'll check back in a month or so.

I will open another open thread this one will remain locked.

Today per IHSA

Fingers crossed.