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Let's Talk 5A: Teams Under Consideration for the Preseason Top 10
Morgan Park The Mustangs have been the best team in the CPL for a handful of seasons and I don't see that changing for now (sorry Simeon/Kenwood etc). The Mustangs welcome back 16 returning starters (7 offense 9 defense) including some key multi-year impact names such as senior QB Marcus Thaxton, senior OLB/S Jovan Clark (Wyoming) along with senior WR/S Jahmare Washington (Wisconsin) and senior DB Ahmad Grayer.
Hillcrest The Hawks will also reload this sumemr and brings back several impact names. Hillcrest welcomes back 14 returning starters (9 offense 5 defense) including senior QB Gary Bradley, senior RB/DB Erimus Wright (South Dakota State) plus 4 starters back on the offensive line. The Hawks lost junior DE MaHale Blade to a transfer (Simeon) but keep an eye on junior DE Max Carmicle (6-foot-6, 215 pounds) a standout in Hoops and Football.
Prairie Ridge The Wolves welcome in longtime assistant coach Mike Frericks as it's new head coach taking over for Chris Schremp (new PR Athletic Director). The Wolves welcome back several key names from a season ago in junior QB Joe Vanderweil, senior FB Jack Finn and junior RB Luke Vanderweil along with senior OL/DL Gavin Tinch. The Wolves also welcome back 4 starting offensive linemen this fall and the FVC title chase will be as entertaining as ever in 2024.
Decatur MacArthur_ The Generals and veteran head coach Derek Spates always has talent and speed in the building and this was a relatively young team in 2023. The loss of standout sophomore RB Myson Johnson Cook to Texas was a big loss....but this team always seems to find a way to get it done.
Joliet Catholic Academy The Hilltoppers also welcome back a ton of experience in 2024 and while some of the graduation losses will be felt (Dillon Johnson) this Hillmen team will be just fine. Back for 2024 is junior QB Lucas Simulick along with a handful of experienced backs led by senior Keenan Farnus who will run behind an offensive line with 4 returning starters back in the fold. The Hillmen also bring back 6 returning starters on defense and while the Hill has some spots to fill...they will be just fine in 2024 IF they can survive a rugged 2024 schedule.
Nazareth Academy The amazing Naz Class of 2025 is finally playing it's last season this fall. Nazareth Academy QB Logan Malachuk leads the always explosive Road Runners attack and features an amazing 19 returning starters back...many of whom have multiple years of varsity experience. The defense is led by senior OLB/DE Gabe Kaminski (Stanford) and this team and school have been pointing towards this final season run for this senior goup since it's freshman season.
Carmel Catholic The Corsairs made a solid run in 5A last season and despite graduation losses this program will be jsut fine in 2024. Sophomore QB Trae Taylor is holding a ton of Power 4 offers and also keep an eye on senior OT Tommy Lamberti plus senior RB Donovan Dey, senior TE Jack Greiber and a roister stacked with underclassmen talent for 2024.
Metamora The Redbirds will be good again this season as they welcome back 12 returning starters (5 offense 7 defense) including a nice 1-2 backfield punch in RB Evan Kiel and RB Jaiduan Cranford. Metamora senior LB Cameron Nickel leads a very quick and hard hitting defense this season.
Highland The Bulldogs also bring back a ton of experience for the 2024 season including 15 returning starters (8 offense 7 defense) who saw a ton of playing time already at the varsity level. The Highland offensive backfield is a strength this summer and keep an eye on senior FB/LB Ethan Greenwald and senior DE Nick Judge this season.
Peoria With the departure of head coach Tim Thornton to Florida....the Lions become one of the most interesting stories this summer. Can Peoria new head coach Aaron Montgomery keep the Lions at the very top of the Big 12 again this fall? The Lions graduated several key names especially in the offensive skills but keep an eye on junior QB Breon Green who did well as a backup in 2023 along with sophomore OL/DL Jaquaris Green.
Sacred Heart Griffin The Cyclones and then first year head coach had an up and down season posting a 6-3 regular season record which including a lopsided Week 1 loss to Normal Community. Loom for the Cyclones to be much improved this coming season and for a very young SHG roster in 2023 to begin to turn things around this coming fall.
Rochelle The Hubs and head cvoach Kyle Kissack brings back an amaxing 20 returning starters from a season ago and the Hubs are looking to improve upon it's 7-2 2023 season which ended in a Round 1 loss to Wheaton St Francis. Keep an eye on senior RB/LB Grant Gensler and senior L/DL Kaiden Morris for the Hubs this season.
Sterling The Golden Warriors and head coach Jonathan Schlemmer welcomes back 12 returning starters (6 offense 6 defense) this season as Sterling looks toi make another for the WB6 conference title. Keep an eye on sophomore OT AJ Coleman (6-foot-6, 270 pounds) who saw significant playing time as a frshman on varsity along with senior RB Gage Tate.
Sycamore One of these days the moons will align and the Spartans are going to win an IHSA 5A state title sooner rather than later. The 2024 Spartans have some talent and depth back and this group could very well make a run this fall. Sycamore senior LB Burke Gautcher (Iowa) is set to play quarterback again this season and has plenty of talent behind him in senior WR/DB Carter York along with a deep group of remaining backs and receivers. The Sycamore defense welcomes back 8 returning starters and head coach Joe Ryan and staff will have this tam ready to roll this fall.
Triad- The Knights and head coach Calvin Potthast also brings back strong core of returning starters this season. The Triad offense is led by senior QB Isaac Akerman along with senior RB/WR/DB Ian Dempsey who is a speedy game breaker type. On the defensive side of the football Triad features 8 starters back led by senior DE Owen Lightner (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) who will bring a ton pofm speed off the edge this fall.
Wheaton St Francis- As stacked if not more stacked as any team listed here. St Francis and head coach Bob McMillen will lean on junior QB Brady Palmer who is already drawing Power 4 recruiting attention along with a very impressive group of receivers including senior WR Ian Willis (Illinois State) along with junior WR Zachary Washington (another Power 4 name) and junior WR Dario Milivojevic while senior RB Ty Ransom is an impact player while un known junior TE Gavin Mueller also has multipole Power 4 offers. The defense also has talent and plenty of speed and senior DB Seth Valeri is a newcomer/name to watch for the Spartans defense in 2024.
Next: Who Makes the Preseason EDGYTIM Class 5A Top 10 poll
Let's Talk 5A: Teams Under Consideration for the Preseason Top 10
Morgan Park The Mustangs have been the best team in the CPL for a handful of seasons and I don't see that changing for now (sorry Simeon/Kenwood etc). The Mustangs welcome back 16 returning starters (7 offense 9 defense) including some key multi-year impact names such as senior QB Marcus Thaxton, senior OLB/S Jovan Clark (Wyoming) along with senior WR/S Jahmare Washington (Wisconsin) and senior DB Ahmad Grayer.
Hillcrest The Hawks will also reload this sumemr and brings back several impact names. Hillcrest welcomes back 14 returning starters (9 offense 5 defense) including senior QB Gary Bradley, senior RB/DB Erimus Wright (South Dakota State) plus 4 starters back on the offensive line. The Hawks lost junior DE MaHale Blade to a transfer (Simeon) but keep an eye on junior DE Max Carmicle (6-foot-6, 215 pounds) a standout in Hoops and Football.
Prairie Ridge The Wolves welcome in longtime assistant coach Mike Frericks as it's new head coach taking over for Chris Schremp (new PR Athletic Director). The Wolves welcome back several key names from a season ago in junior QB Joe Vanderweil, senior FB Jack Finn and junior RB Luke Vanderweil along with senior OL/DL Gavin Tinch. The Wolves also welcome back 4 starting offensive linemen this fall and the FVC title chase will be as entertaining as ever in 2024.
Decatur MacArthur_ The Generals and veteran head coach Derek Spates always has talent and speed in the building and this was a relatively young team in 2023. The loss of standout sophomore RB Myson Johnson Cook to Texas was a big loss....but this team always seems to find a way to get it done.
Joliet Catholic Academy The Hilltoppers also welcome back a ton of experience in 2024 and while some of the graduation losses will be felt (Dillon Johnson) this Hillmen team will be just fine. Back for 2024 is junior QB Lucas Simulick along with a handful of experienced backs led by senior Keenan Farnus who will run behind an offensive line with 4 returning starters back in the fold. The Hillmen also bring back 6 returning starters on defense and while the Hill has some spots to fill...they will be just fine in 2024 IF they can survive a rugged 2024 schedule.
Nazareth Academy The amazing Naz Class of 2025 is finally playing it's last season this fall. Nazareth Academy QB Logan Malachuk leads the always explosive Road Runners attack and features an amazing 19 returning starters back...many of whom have multiple years of varsity experience. The defense is led by senior OLB/DE Gabe Kaminski (Stanford) and this team and school have been pointing towards this final season run for this senior goup since it's freshman season.
Carmel Catholic The Corsairs made a solid run in 5A last season and despite graduation losses this program will be jsut fine in 2024. Sophomore QB Trae Taylor is holding a ton of Power 4 offers and also keep an eye on senior OT Tommy Lamberti plus senior RB Donovan Dey, senior TE Jack Greiber and a roister stacked with underclassmen talent for 2024.
Metamora The Redbirds will be good again this season as they welcome back 12 returning starters (5 offense 7 defense) including a nice 1-2 backfield punch in RB Evan Kiel and RB Jaiduan Cranford. Metamora senior LB Cameron Nickel leads a very quick and hard hitting defense this season.
Highland The Bulldogs also bring back a ton of experience for the 2024 season including 15 returning starters (8 offense 7 defense) who saw a ton of playing time already at the varsity level. The Highland offensive backfield is a strength this summer and keep an eye on senior FB/LB Ethan Greenwald and senior DE Nick Judge this season.
Peoria With the departure of head coach Tim Thornton to Florida....the Lions become one of the most interesting stories this summer. Can Peoria new head coach Aaron Montgomery keep the Lions at the very top of the Big 12 again this fall? The Lions graduated several key names especially in the offensive skills but keep an eye on junior QB Breon Green who did well as a backup in 2023 along with sophomore OL/DL Jaquaris Green.
Sacred Heart Griffin The Cyclones and then first year head coach had an up and down season posting a 6-3 regular season record which including a lopsided Week 1 loss to Normal Community. Loom for the Cyclones to be much improved this coming season and for a very young SHG roster in 2023 to begin to turn things around this coming fall.
Rochelle The Hubs and head cvoach Kyle Kissack brings back an amaxing 20 returning starters from a season ago and the Hubs are looking to improve upon it's 7-2 2023 season which ended in a Round 1 loss to Wheaton St Francis. Keep an eye on senior RB/LB Grant Gensler and senior L/DL Kaiden Morris for the Hubs this season.
Sterling The Golden Warriors and head coach Jonathan Schlemmer welcomes back 12 returning starters (6 offense 6 defense) this season as Sterling looks toi make another for the WB6 conference title. Keep an eye on sophomore OT AJ Coleman (6-foot-6, 270 pounds) who saw significant playing time as a frshman on varsity along with senior RB Gage Tate.
Sycamore One of these days the moons will align and the Spartans are going to win an IHSA 5A state title sooner rather than later. The 2024 Spartans have some talent and depth back and this group could very well make a run this fall. Sycamore senior LB Burke Gautcher (Iowa) is set to play quarterback again this season and has plenty of talent behind him in senior WR/DB Carter York along with a deep group of remaining backs and receivers. The Sycamore defense welcomes back 8 returning starters and head coach Joe Ryan and staff will have this tam ready to roll this fall.
Triad- The Knights and head coach Calvin Potthast also brings back strong core of returning starters this season. The Triad offense is led by senior QB Isaac Akerman along with senior RB/WR/DB Ian Dempsey who is a speedy game breaker type. On the defensive side of the football Triad features 8 starters back led by senior DE Owen Lightner (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) who will bring a ton pofm speed off the edge this fall.
Wheaton St Francis- As stacked if not more stacked as any team listed here. St Francis and head coach Bob McMillen will lean on junior QB Brady Palmer who is already drawing Power 4 recruiting attention along with a very impressive group of receivers including senior WR Ian Willis (Illinois State) along with junior WR Zachary Washington (another Power 4 name) and junior WR Dario Milivojevic while senior RB Ty Ransom is an impact player while un known junior TE Gavin Mueller also has multipole Power 4 offers. The defense also has talent and plenty of speed and senior DB Seth Valeri is a newcomer/name to watch for the Spartans defense in 2024.
Next: Who Makes the Preseason EDGYTIM Class 5A Top 10 poll
