Since we are stuck in the middle of the whole COVID-19 pandemic lockdown...and with no real team events on the horizon...I guess it''s time to begin thinking about the Preseason polls.
So here is today's process.discussion points. Linked below is my 2019 Final Chicagoland Top 30 team poll.
So which teams out of the 2019 Final poll would you consider being on the fringe or even out of 2020 Preseason Top 30 talk? My thoughts are posted below
2019 EDGYTIM.com Final Chicagoland Top 30 poll
Party Crashers (unranked) who could crack the 2020 Preseason EDGYTIM Chicagoland Top 30 poll?
Oswego- The Panthers had a handful of close losses including a tough Round 2 31-30 loss to Bolingbrook inj Class 8A to end the season. Oswego returns a ton of underclassmen especially upfront on the offensive line. Give Brian Cooney some experience and beef on the line, and watch oswego roll.
Montini Catholic- Coach Bu and the Broncos will welcome back 11 starters (6 on offense) and I can't imagine that the Broncos stunning Round 1 loss to Sycamore in 5A didn't serve as a huge motivator this off season. The Broncos welcome back 4 starters on the OL and if they can answer questions at a few key spots this summer (QB/RB/DB)look out.
Simeon- The Wolverines always have talent and will look towards a handful of key names in Minnesota commit OT Cameron James plus big WR George Gumbs Jr. in 2020. The early portion of the schedule is always tough and if the Wolverines can stay away from an early season slump they will again be tough in the post-season.
Joliet Catholic- The Hilltoppers will be a rare team that will have youth but also experience in 2020. JCA welcomes back 14 starters including some high level names. Junior RB Jordan Anderson will be a Power 5 level name and also keep an eye on senior ATH Ja'Aire Mack and senior DB Devean Washington while junior QB Aidan Voss continues to develop. JCA has a shot at making a deep run in 2020 and having 3 starters back on the OL is a huge plus this fall.
Cary-Grove- The Trojans knew going into 2019 that they would be young, especially in several key spots. The 2019 growing pains will now turn into 2020's advantage with 12 starters(6 offense 6 defense) back this fall including senior RB Arik Mistak three starting OL leading the way. On defense senior LB Johnny Gagliano will be a three year varsity starter in 2020 and Cary Grove lost two of it's three games in 2020 to you know who....and expect CG to be out for some payback this fall.
ICCP- It's the final season for Kyle Franklin, who seems to have been playing now for the Knights since the early 2000's. Franklin, a four year varsity starter will again be the featured ball carrier in 2020 and the Knights always find a way to reload.
Crete-Monee- year in and year out the Warriors are always one of the toughest out in the South Suburbs. The Warriors will need to reload just a bit this summer but Crete is always well coached and seems to find an endless supply of speedy athletes. Senior OL Saveyon Henderson is a big kid and a name to watch this fall.
Antioch- 2019 just didn't work out the way the Sequoits expected or wanted and ended the year with an 8-3 record, seeing standout QB Athan Kaliakmanis lost for the season due to an injury then losing to Cary Grove in the 8A second round action. 2020? Antioch will welcome back the Kaliakmanis brothers in QB Athan and WR Dino along with 6 other returning starters on offense along with 6 starters on defense. Expectations will again be very high in and around The Och this coming fall.
Oak Lawn Richards- The Bulldogs under Tony Sheehan just reload and while the starting lineup will be considerably less experienced this season with just 7 returning starters (5 on defense) back, talent is never in short supply in the program.
Lockport- despite the 4-5 finish in 2019, this is a sleeping giant of a program that showed sign of coming to life last season. Lockport always has numbers and will bring back several key underclassmen starters from a season ago. Head coach George Czart has this program's attention and if Year 2 shows anywhere close to the momentum this programs had later ijn the season in 2019, do NOT be surprised to see the Porters knock off some higher profile names in 2020.
St. Charles North- Last season ended with a 4-5 record and it was not a good look seeing North lose it's last four games to end the season. No one wants the 20920 season to get here quicker than head coach Rob Pomazak and staff. North welcomes back a crazy 18 returning starters from a season ago (10 on offense) and the North Stars have plenty of talent on both side sof the football this fall.
Hinsdale Central/OPRF- Central ended the year 8-3 snd lost to Bolingbrook in opening round action. The Red Devils welcome back plenty of talent to watch starting with senior QB Michael Brescia. OPRF was 4-5 in 2019 and don't expect that to last long. OPRF also has talent back led by senior QB/DB Jaden McGill and also LB Naahlyee Bryant in a game changer type.
Lake Forest- The Scouts seems to be up and down all season in 2019, then seemed to find it's grovoer later in the season. The Scouts always have talent and QB/WR Richie Hoskins is a name to watch here along with 4 star ranked LB Mac Uihlein (Northwestern).
Lemont- The Indians finished 8-3 and ran into a road buzzsaw and lost to Glenwood in Round 2 in 2019. The Indians and head coach Bret Kooi welcomes back 7 returning starters (4 on offense) and senior LB Al Pontrelli is a leader. Lemont also always has talent and a deep roster and reloads as well as anyone.
2020 Preseason Chicagoland Top 30: Locks to make the Top 30
2020 Preseason Chicagoland Top 30: Fringe Teams
So here is today's process.discussion points. Linked below is my 2019 Final Chicagoland Top 30 team poll.
So which teams out of the 2019 Final poll would you consider being on the fringe or even out of 2020 Preseason Top 30 talk? My thoughts are posted below
2019 EDGYTIM.com Final Chicagoland Top 30 poll
Party Crashers (unranked) who could crack the 2020 Preseason EDGYTIM Chicagoland Top 30 poll?
Oswego- The Panthers had a handful of close losses including a tough Round 2 31-30 loss to Bolingbrook inj Class 8A to end the season. Oswego returns a ton of underclassmen especially upfront on the offensive line. Give Brian Cooney some experience and beef on the line, and watch oswego roll.
Montini Catholic- Coach Bu and the Broncos will welcome back 11 starters (6 on offense) and I can't imagine that the Broncos stunning Round 1 loss to Sycamore in 5A didn't serve as a huge motivator this off season. The Broncos welcome back 4 starters on the OL and if they can answer questions at a few key spots this summer (QB/RB/DB)look out.
Simeon- The Wolverines always have talent and will look towards a handful of key names in Minnesota commit OT Cameron James plus big WR George Gumbs Jr. in 2020. The early portion of the schedule is always tough and if the Wolverines can stay away from an early season slump they will again be tough in the post-season.
Joliet Catholic- The Hilltoppers will be a rare team that will have youth but also experience in 2020. JCA welcomes back 14 starters including some high level names. Junior RB Jordan Anderson will be a Power 5 level name and also keep an eye on senior ATH Ja'Aire Mack and senior DB Devean Washington while junior QB Aidan Voss continues to develop. JCA has a shot at making a deep run in 2020 and having 3 starters back on the OL is a huge plus this fall.
Cary-Grove- The Trojans knew going into 2019 that they would be young, especially in several key spots. The 2019 growing pains will now turn into 2020's advantage with 12 starters(6 offense 6 defense) back this fall including senior RB Arik Mistak three starting OL leading the way. On defense senior LB Johnny Gagliano will be a three year varsity starter in 2020 and Cary Grove lost two of it's three games in 2020 to you know who....and expect CG to be out for some payback this fall.
ICCP- It's the final season for Kyle Franklin, who seems to have been playing now for the Knights since the early 2000's. Franklin, a four year varsity starter will again be the featured ball carrier in 2020 and the Knights always find a way to reload.
Crete-Monee- year in and year out the Warriors are always one of the toughest out in the South Suburbs. The Warriors will need to reload just a bit this summer but Crete is always well coached and seems to find an endless supply of speedy athletes. Senior OL Saveyon Henderson is a big kid and a name to watch this fall.
Antioch- 2019 just didn't work out the way the Sequoits expected or wanted and ended the year with an 8-3 record, seeing standout QB Athan Kaliakmanis lost for the season due to an injury then losing to Cary Grove in the 8A second round action. 2020? Antioch will welcome back the Kaliakmanis brothers in QB Athan and WR Dino along with 6 other returning starters on offense along with 6 starters on defense. Expectations will again be very high in and around The Och this coming fall.
Oak Lawn Richards- The Bulldogs under Tony Sheehan just reload and while the starting lineup will be considerably less experienced this season with just 7 returning starters (5 on defense) back, talent is never in short supply in the program.
Lockport- despite the 4-5 finish in 2019, this is a sleeping giant of a program that showed sign of coming to life last season. Lockport always has numbers and will bring back several key underclassmen starters from a season ago. Head coach George Czart has this program's attention and if Year 2 shows anywhere close to the momentum this programs had later ijn the season in 2019, do NOT be surprised to see the Porters knock off some higher profile names in 2020.
St. Charles North- Last season ended with a 4-5 record and it was not a good look seeing North lose it's last four games to end the season. No one wants the 20920 season to get here quicker than head coach Rob Pomazak and staff. North welcomes back a crazy 18 returning starters from a season ago (10 on offense) and the North Stars have plenty of talent on both side sof the football this fall.
Hinsdale Central/OPRF- Central ended the year 8-3 snd lost to Bolingbrook in opening round action. The Red Devils welcome back plenty of talent to watch starting with senior QB Michael Brescia. OPRF was 4-5 in 2019 and don't expect that to last long. OPRF also has talent back led by senior QB/DB Jaden McGill and also LB Naahlyee Bryant in a game changer type.
Lake Forest- The Scouts seems to be up and down all season in 2019, then seemed to find it's grovoer later in the season. The Scouts always have talent and QB/WR Richie Hoskins is a name to watch here along with 4 star ranked LB Mac Uihlein (Northwestern).
Lemont- The Indians finished 8-3 and ran into a road buzzsaw and lost to Glenwood in Round 2 in 2019. The Indians and head coach Bret Kooi welcomes back 7 returning starters (4 on offense) and senior LB Al Pontrelli is a leader. Lemont also always has talent and a deep roster and reloads as well as anyone.
2020 Preseason Chicagoland Top 30: Locks to make the Top 30
2020 Preseason Chicagoland Top 30: Fringe Teams
