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New: 2024 Team Preview Crete Monee Warriors

Crete Monee Warriors

Head Coach:
John Konecki

Assistant Coaches:

Mike Turay, Walter Vesper, Rory Lee, Greg Murray, Dan Ballard, Joshua Tomas



School Nickname/Mascot: Warriors

Conference: Southland

2024 Regular Season schedule (if known):

Week 1 Richards Home
Week 2 St. Charles North (Away)
Week 3 Thornton High School (Home)
Week 4 Thornwood High School (Home)
Week 5 Danville High School (Away)
Week 6 Thornridge High School (Home)
Week 7 Rich Township High School (Away)
Week 8 Bloom High School (Away)
Week 9 Kankakee High School (Home)


Returning Offensive Starters for 2024:

Dorian Patterson WR 6'4 180 lbs 26
Jaden Hudson RB 6'1 205 lbs 25
Derrin Couch QB 6'2 180 lbs 26
Gordon Barnes RB 6'0 205lbs 25
Jojo Poku K 5'10 145 lbs 25
Jonathan Jones OL 6'1 240 lbs 25
Xavier Lloyd OL 5'10 215 lbs 25
Jeremiah Hill OL 6'2 230 lbs 25
Isaac Lovett OL 6'0 230 lbs 26


Returning Defensive Starters for 2024:


Jayden Marshall DB 26 5'11 165 lbs 26
Taron Hampton LB 6'3 185 lbs 25
Kamal Bryant DE 6'0 185 lbs 27
Josh Hill DB 6'0 180 lbs 25
Da'Mareea Cole OLB 6'3 185 lbs 26
Anson Labranche LB/FB 6'0 245 lbs 27


Newcomers to Watch

We are looking forward to seeing many of our underclassmen take the next step in their development.

2024 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

We are still working on the schedule. I believe we are competing in one summer scrimmage.



Impact Player for Crete Monee
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Crete Monee and head coach John Konecki once again has a pretty loaded roster for 2024 and the Warriors have several top names to watch over the next few seasons. Crete-Monee sophomore DB Jayden Marshall (5-foot-11, 165 pounds) is a speedy, twitchy athlete who is already holding a handful of FBS offers this spring and who's recruiting stock will just continue to rise. Marshall has track sprinters speed, impressive overall football skills and plays with spewed along with a high football IQ.

Looking for a sleeper name to watch for the Warriors? Keep an eye on Crete-Monee 2026 WR D'Arion Yarbrough along with sophomore WR Dorian Patterson and both are tall, lanky athletes who no question have a ton of upside.


EDGY's Preseason Thoughts on the 2024 Crete Monee Warriors

Crete Monee had a very young team in 2023 and several key underclassmen names gained valuable varsity experience that should pay off starting this fall for the Warriors. Crete Monee welcomes back 15 returning starters (9 offense 6 defense) including having talent and experience at several key positions. Crete Monee always plays a loaded non conference slate and will again get tested pretty much right out of the gates in 2024.

The biggest question for the Warriors heading into 2024?

Can Crete Monee develop enough overall depth and build up the programs numbers to make a deep post-season run this fall? Crete Monee under John Konecki has simply been one of the winningest programs in the South suburbs and also one of the top Class 6A programs state wide. The rise of Southland rival Kankakee has no question made things a bit more interesting for the Warriors but this remains a top tier program that I feel will have a punchers chance at contending for a possible state title again this coming season.

Preseason Ranking? Class 6A Top 10 and Chicagoland Top 30 poll serious consideration
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New: 2024 Team Preview Morris High School

Morris High School

Head Coach:
Alan Thorson

School Nickname/Mascot: TBA

Conference: Interstate 8

Team Twitter Handle: @morris_football

2024 Regular Season schedule (if known):

8/30 H Coal City
9/6 @ Joliet West
9/13 H Peoria
9/20 @ LaSalle Peru
9/27 H Kaneland
10/4 @ Rochelle
10/11 H Ottawa
10/18 @ Sycamore
10/25 @ Byron Center (Mich)

Returning Offensive Starters for 2024:


Jack Wheeler -WR, 6'5, 190, 2025
Brett Bounds - WR, - 6'1", 170, 2025
Ethan Mumbrue - WR, - 6'3", 180, 2025
Brogan Kjellesvik - OL, -6'4", 255, 2027
Dakota Goff - OL, - 5'11", 245, 2025


Returning Defensive Starters for 2024:


Blaine Beshoar - LB - 6'0", 185, 2025
Bryce Varner - DB - 5'11", 170, 2026
Griffin Zweeres - LB - 5'10", 205, 2025
Chace Bachert - DL - 5"11, 190, 2026
Hayden Hutchcraft - DE, 6'1", 190, 2025

Newcomers to Watch

Omarion Miller - DL - 6'1", 210, 2025
Caeden Curran - RB / LB - 5'11", 190, 2025
Dominic Jenkins - RB / DB - 6'0", 170, 2025
Tomatoa Le'au - OL / DL - 6'4", 255, 2025
Logan Sparrow - TE / LB - 6'2", 200, 2025
Brady Varner - QB - 6"0", 175, 2025


2024 Team 7on7 or Team Summer Camp?

7 on 7's:
Tuesday July 9th @ Morris
Tuesday July 16th @ Morris
Friday July 19th @ West Aurora
Tuesday July 23rd @ Morris
Tuesday July 30th @ Morris

Impact Player for Morris

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Morris and head coach Alan Thorson will be looking to reload in several key spots this summer but one spot that looks to be a strength is at wide receiver. Morris junior WR Jack Wheeler (6-foot-5, 190 pounds) who is already verbally committed to Illinois in baseball is also drawing recruiting attention and interest in football as well. Wheeler has impressive size and length, runs well and catches the football consistently well. Look for Wheeler to have a big senior season this fall for Morris.

Looking for a sleeper name to watch for Morris? Morris sophomore to be OL Brogan Kjellesvik was a varsity starter as a freshman in 2023 and has been drawing steady football recruiting looks this spring.

EDGY's Preseason Thoughts on the 2024 Morris Football Team

Morris and head coach Alan Thorson is coming off a 11-1 season in 2023 as Morris made the Class 5A state playoff field, beat Tinley Park and SHG then lost to rival Joliet Catholic in the 5A quarterfinals. Alan Thorson has posted a 107-45 overall record in 14 seasons at Morris and has led Morris to the IHSA state title game in 2012 and 2017.

The biggest question for Morris heading into 2024?

Can Morris reload and not skip a beat at several key positions this summer? Morris will be looking for new faces to fill in key openings (QB/RB/OL/DB) and more often than not Morris always seems to find a way to reload year in and year out.

Preseason Ranking? Class 5/4A Top 10 consideration

Monday Night: 2024 Silver Showcase Downers Grove North

So DGN is one of a handful of high schools this spring who is trying to be proactive and trying to attract more colleges coaches to see kids in person in one location, so DGN hosted this event which also included kids from DGN/DGS/York/Lyons/Hinsdale Central and 2025 QB Jackson Alcorn from Burlington Central (again not sure why just one kid but ok). The showcase had the kids do some testing then also did some various positional work. This started at 6PM and was pretty much wrapped up at 8PM.

Overall? Each school had some solid kids who I'll mention below (again the positional work was limited so I didn't get to see a ton of work here). Unfortunately very few college coaches attended this event (again welcome to the new weird world of recruiting post portal) but hopefully these events will continue to happen.

DGN Trojans

QB Owen Lansu 2026- Lansu is already adding Power 4 offers and he has no question done a ton of work this off season on adding good weight and size. I joked with Owen that her's no longer a "kid" but looks more like a "grown ass man". Lansu has added a good 15-20 pounds since last season and is also no question much stronger and just much more impressive on ther hoof. Lansu's overall arm talent and ability has really never been in question and this could end up being a very good late spring for him from a recruiting/offer standpoint. The more schools that see him in person the more school that I feel will offer him.

LB/DE Joe Edwards 2025- The younger brother of former DGN/Wisconsin and now NFL OT David Edwards....Joe is a bit of a tweener positionally to me but also a prospect with some upside for sure. Edwards is 6-footr-3, 200 pounds and I can see him playing either as a rush end/OLB ot maybe as an ILB at the college level. Has an early offer from Akron and interest from various FCS schools this spring.

WR/LB/DB Charlie Cruse 2025- Very strong player who had a very good 2o23 season for the 7A state runner up Trojans. Cruse also added some good weight and strength this off season and is gearing up to play on both sides of the football in 2024. Cruse has really good hands and ball skills, runs strong routes and has impressive body control and overlal strong instincts. I can see various higher academic schools (Ivy/Pioneer) getting more and more involved here.

RB/LB Jack Gregorio 2025- I also liked Jack's overall game last season and he's a two way player who as a linebacker is a big time hitter and finisher while also having some skill and ability as a running back.

OL Anthony Bertachi 2026 Good sized younger kid here who checks in at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds who also has the frame to add even more good weight and strength over the next year plus.

OL Omar Duran 2026- See above. Duran is at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds who moves pretty well and who will also get much bigger and stronger from here.

York Dukes

QB Bruno Massel 2025- Solid passer who checks in at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds. made some good throws and showed some good overall athletic ability in the testing phase.

DL Joe Reiff 2025 (Notre Dame commit)- The Notre Dame commit is now up to 245 pounds and is already looking like a man among boys. Reiff has impressive speed and quickness and now also has much more strength, power and punch behind him this spring. Reiff physically looks much, much different compared to a season ago and he has a chance to develop in to a big time player for Notre Dame.

OL Camden Silverwright 2026 Checks in at 6-foot-5, 235 pounds and and this is yet another younger linemen to watch here, Has the look. frame and potential to get much stronger and much bigger. Moves pretty well, showwes gsome bend and good feet and balance.

TE/DE Hunter Stepanich 2026Measures in at 6-foot-7, 200 pounds and played TE here....but Hunter has the frame and look of a potential big time OT in hiding. Stepanich moves pretty well for his size...and also has impressive reach and length and also possesses a frame that will allow him to add much more size and strength. I can see him staying at tight end but as far as a longer term/college development standpoint....OT could also be in his future in my early opinion.

OL Constantine Kampas 2026- Yet another big body kid here (6-foot-5, 250 pounds) and another name to watch over the next two years.

DGS Mustangs

QB Dominic West 2025 Throws a nice ball and has continued to develop and improve each time I see him. Still has work to do in the weight room and needs much needed weight and more strength for the college level.

S Coen Godenschwager 2025 Just a very nice all around player here. Showed some speed and is an athletic player to watch here.

TE/DE James Pieropolous 2025- Measures in at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds and moves well and has the look of a player who could draw more recruiting looks this spring and summer.

Hinsdale Central Red Devils- Red Devils unfortunately didn't really wear a jersey here so I will go back and try to figure out a few additional names I liked here....especially from a skills standpoint I saw a handful of speedy/twitchy kids who stood out.


OL/DL Ryan McGarry 2025- Big, strong kid who also showed some decent bend and feet. Has the size and frame/build to play OC at the high college level. Physically is pretty much college ready right now and his combination of strength, power and quickness really was impressive here.

OL Eugene Riordan 2026- Younger guy who has good size and length and who also moves pretty well for a kid his size. Has the frame and build to add more good weight and strength over the next few years and he has a chance to play at a pretty high level. A name to watch out for here.

Lyons Township Lions

WR/DB Travis Stamm 2025- Good sized athlete who I felt played really well in 2023 for the Lions. Stamm has good length, runs well and showed to have very good hands and is simply a steady and very reliable receiver. Schools at theFBS/high FCS level will look harder into Stamm this summer.

Burlington Central Rockets

QB Jackson Alcorn 2025- Been aware of Jackson for some time now. Alcorn is physically advanced (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) and in many ways seems to be ready for the next level. Did pretty well overall in the testing phase....has good overall strength and ran pretty well. Didn't get to see him throw as much as I would have liked but I get the feeling Alcorn will be very active in the college one day camp circuit this summer.

Option Football LOVERS.... and haters

Whats up yall. Option football fan and been thinking about the great option teams in Illinois history what are some of your favorites? Split back veer , wing t , flexbone? What are some schools / coaches you love and remember? (or hated watching your team play against haha)

Ty Isaac at JCA

Older Mt. C

Cary Grove

Prairie Ridge

few I love rewatching
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New Stadiums/ Renovations

I know many high schools throughout Chicago area go through off season renovations or complete rebuilds of football stadiums. Just looking to hear any that are complete or on going.

One field I know is unique is Clark High School in Chicago built a new field with stands and a press box which are both in the west end zone of the field. The field does have lights as well. It is located at Flournoy & Lavergne Ave. I also know Rockne Stadium ( Roosevelt & Central) just went through a complete renovation and added what looks like either locker rooms or bathrooms on the north end zone. New field turf and track were replaced.

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The Stage Who Stood Out? Part 1 0f 2

I am the host of this camp meaning I have multiple responsibilities including making sure the camp is running on time etc. This no question limits my ability to watch multiple kids per each group. I rely heavily on my position coaches for feedback in many cases so if your kid was at the camp and they don't get mentioned....more often than not I just did not get a chance to properly watch/evaluate them here.

103 TE Brady Goken Wheaton South 2025- Measured in at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds and Goken just does a lot well here including showing great hands, the ability to just attack the football and his overall strength is higher level.

111 QB Riley Contreras Hinsdale Central 2026- Steady Eddie here. Will have one more season to lead the Red Devils offense and from the looks of things starting here with Riley....2024 could be a very good year for Hinsdale Central. Between this event and the Silver DGN Showcase lots of nice talent on board for 2024 for the Red Devils.

112 QB Brady Palmer St Francis 2026- Has the overall tools, look and feel of a high level QB here. Palmer is in a dogfight for the starting position with 2025 Jack Reilly and winning this job will NOT be easy. However, it looks to me that Brady is getting closer to a big breakout season sooner rather than later.

114 QB Jackson Alcorn Burlington Central 2025- A very steady and impressive QB here. In most other years I can see some FCS schools drawing more interest in Jackson...who I feel has FCS/D2 ability. Yet the QB position in 2025 is stacked and will make open scholarship harder to find. This kid is very capable.

117 OL Michael Varon Fremd 2025- Came ready to play and just never backed off the gas peddle. A good sized (6-foot-2, 288 pounds) interior OL here who was very strong in one on ones as well.

118 RB Brody Gish Lincoln Way East 2025- Has really impressive speed and burst and I can see him getting carries in the Griffins RB rotation this fall. Just a junior here and also a name to watch as well. Ran/tested very well here.

123 DL Jake Buckley Kaneland 2026- Good sized kid (6-foot-2 1/2 255 pounds) who passes the eyeball test. Battled all day in one on ones and took a ton of reps as well. Looked pretty athletic and fluid in testing and positional work.

127 OL Myles Batesky Libertyville 2026- Measured in at 6-foot-3, 271 pounds and he has the frame to get much stronger and bigger over the next few years. Was very solid in one on ones, has good hands/feet and is an athletic big man with some definite upside as well.

128 OL Paul Wyman Hononegah 2027- Young guy who has some ability and also the look of a kid who will get much bigger and stronger.

146 DL Tyler Fortis Maine South 2025- Tyler is a camp veteran who's overall game, maturity level and approach has greatly improved over the past few years. Fortis has an abundance of pass rush moves, impressive technique and a non stop motor. I can see Fortis being an eventual swing DL capable to playing anywhere needed on the defensive line.

147 QB Patrick Heneghan New Trier 2025- Has a bit more speed and quickness than I expected and Patrick tested really well here. Heneghan throws a good ball, has very good touch and feel and I can see him developing into a big time D2/high D3 level signal caller down the line.

150 ATH Calvin Kohl Bradley 2026- Great to have one of the Kohl's from Bradley in camp, a family that has generated a ton of impressive players over the last handful of seasons. Calvin is a multi-positional player who tested well here, has good size (6-foot-0, 205 pounds) who I can see developing into say S/WR/OLB down the line for the Boilermakers.

157 DE Joey Quinn Mount Carmel 2026 Has a real chance at developing into a Power 4 level recruit sooner rather than later. Has impressive size and length (6-foot-5, 240 pounds) and a frame that will allow him to carry much more good weight and strength. Needs to get qa bit more loose and fluid, but his overall upside is huge. MC might have the top DE tandem in 2024 both from the Class of 2026 in Quinn and Braeden Jones.

166 DE Saif Kokoszka Glenbard South 2025- High energy kid who wants to play college football about as much as any kid in this class. Physically, Saif is starting to fill out and add much more good weight and size. Summer one day camps will be huge for Saif and his recruiting process.

168 LB Niko Griggs Chicago Christian 2025- Great sized kid here (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) who is also a bit of an unknown for now. Ran and tested well here and Niko just has the look of a player with more physical upside left. Yet another name here that can greatly benefit in pads this summer at various college one day camps.

186 RB Amare Williams Wheaton South 2026- An impressive all around athlete with good size (6-foot-0, 173 pounds) who showed very well in both the testing phase along with positional work. Very interested to see his early 2024 season video for sure and a name to watch here.

189 LB Caleb Baczek Libertyville 2025- Libertyville has some talent back in 2024 including Caleb. Baczek looked the part and passes the eyeball test. Baczek also tested well, showed good speed and just made some nice plays in one on ones and positional work. No question a name to keep an eye on this summer here.

196 DL Reginald Milligan Plainfield East 2025 - Caught the eye of the positional coaches at this camp for his motor and eyeball passing physical tools. Milligan made some nice plays in one on ones and has a chance to draw more attention this spring and summer.

Check Part 2 for more names who stood out

2024 Season

Repeat champions in baseball have been rare. However, last year there were 3 repeat champions in Edwardsville (4A), Naz (3A) and JCA (2A). Naz moves up to 4A this year, and JCA moves to 3A.

Edwardsville has won 3 of the last 4 4A titles. Have to believe they are one of the favorites this year. Naz will be a contender in 4A, as they bring back a ton from their repeat champion team of last year. JCA will be a contender in 3A as well. Have to believe Rice will be there in 4A, as they bring back a lot from their 4A runnerup team. Who are some of the other top contenders in 4A and 3A?
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