2024 season preview: Scouting the Upstate Eight West
WEST DIVISION
Bartlett
Coach: Milan Vuckovich (third season).
Last season’s record: 4-5, 4-5 UEC (sixth).
Top returners: Donald Hubbard, sr., DE/FB; Daniel Jasso, jr., LB/FB; Nicholas Carlos, jr., WR/DB/KR; Oskar Nowak, sr., DT/OT; Ethan Ratajczyk, jr., LB/TE; Samuel Mancilla, sr., G/DT.
Key newcomers: Tyler Meziere, jr., WR/DB; Michael Kampa, jr., WR/DB; Keaton McMahan, jr., LB/G; Raytan Khan, sr., OT/DT; Olivier Chrapek, jr., K.
Worth noting: Bringing back 14 starters, seven on each side of the ball, all of whom played 1-way last season, made for a very productive and competitive summer camp, according to Vuckovich. “The intensity and confidence in which our players practiced this summer was very exciting,” said the coach. “Having so many starters back provided a different vibe in practice, one that comes with the experience of playing varsity football.” The Hawks return three running backs from last season – senior Filip Szeszko (80 carries, 449 yards, 6 TDs), junior Joey Caputo (116 carries, 558 yards, 4 TDs), and junior Isaac Harris (76 carries, 517 yards, 3 TDs). The list of returning starters includes seniors Luis Alba (DL/OL), Ben Sulma (DE/TE), Josh Cruz (DB/WR), Nick Barton (FB/LB), Yazan Aburishan (OL/DL), and juniors Vince Yario (QB), and Daniel Thorner (OL/DL). Vuckovich is looking forward to the newly aligned Upstate Eight (East and West divisions). “I think it’s a good thing,” he said. “The expansion adds to our already competitive conference, and with the two divisions, allows us to schedule nonconference games which exposes our kids to other schools that we normally wouldn’t have played under our old 10-team league.” Bartlett kicks off its season at home against Glenbard North on Aug 30.
East Aurora
Coach: Nick Kukuc (seventh season).
Last season’s record: 6-4, 5-4 UEC (fourth).
Top returners: Raul Navejar, sr., OL/DL; Kevion Wills, sr., WR/DB.
Key newcomers: Joaquin Ramirez, sr., DB.
Worth noting: Coming off one of their most successful seasons in recent memory, the Tomcats enter the 2024 campaign eager to continue their momentum. A year ago, East Aurora recorded its first 6-win season since 1991, qualifying for postseason play for the first time since 1982. “We are looking to continue to develop our athletes and program after one of our most successful seasons since 1991,” said Kukuc. The Tomcats begin their season at home against Maine East on Aug. 30, and open Upstate Eight West action at Streamwood on Sept. 13. One of the benefits of the newly aligned 14-team Upstate Eight is a Week 8 showdown against West Aurora. “We have an opportunity to renew our crosstown game with West Aurora,” said the coach. “This will be great for the Aurora community. This (new alignment) also gives the opportunity for teams to schedule out-of-conference games for the first time.” Navejar figures to anchor the interior for the Tomcats as a third-year varsity player, while Wells plays an important role in the passing game.
Elgin
Coach: Anthony Mason (10th season).
Last season’s record: 1-8, 1-8 UEC (ninth).
Top returners: Adrian Jackson, sr., OT; Robert Capuzi, sr., C; Julian Cortez, sr., S; Fabian Ramirez, sr., LB/RB.
Key newcomers: Aiden Coleman, sr., CB/WR; Victor Escobar, soph., G.
Worth noting: The Maroons prepare for challenges that will come with the conference split. “The new alignment is something that is interesting and unknown,” said Mason. “We’ll miss playing some competitive games against teams that are on the level we are. We add a team that left and now came back in West Aurora, which will make it interesting. It’s a lot of things out of our control, but for our program, we are ready for whatever we must deal with.” Mason is hoping his team can land a top position in the conference. “We feel we have done the work, have some talent, and will prepare and work like our hair is on fire,” added the coach. “We’re asking our veterans to level up and asking our newcomers to be the best they can be every day.” Elgin kicks off its season against conference crossover Fenton on Aug. 30 at Memorial Stadium.
Larkin
Coach: Vincent Ray (second season).
Last season’s record: 3-6, 3-6 UEC (seventh).
Top returners: Donald Clark, sr., WR/DB; Adrian Gasca, sr., S/WR; Jonathan Wells, sr., DB/RB; Luis Zepeda, sr., LB/TE; Aden Mora, jr., QB/WR/LB; Alan Reza, jr., OL/DL; Julius Yandell, Jr., jr., QB/DB.
Key newcomers: Dezman Bell, sr., DB/WR; Ronny Lacher, sr., LB/FB; Rian Ray, sr., WR/DB; Luis Jaramillo, soph., OL/DL; Kouri Juarez, soph., LB/FB; Emilio Prieto, frosh., OL/DL.
Worth noting: Ray returns for his second season as the Royals’ head coach after guiding the team to a 3-6 record last fall. One of the highlights of the 2023 campaign was Larkin’s 26-6 victory over crosstown rival Elgin in October. Larkin kicks off its 2024 season against perennial playoff contender Geneva on Aug. 30 at Burgess Field. “I’m excited about the new additions to the Upstate Eight,” said Ray. “The new coaches fit in like they have been in the conference for years. I believe this will strengthen our conference’s standing in the state. It also gives us an opportunity to add nonconference games and a crossover between divisions.” The Royals’ home opener is Sept. 6 against St. Patrick. “We want to compete and grow as a team,” added Ray.
South Elgin
Coach: Patrik Pistorio (first season).
Last season’s record: 9-2, 8-1 UEC (tied for first).
Top returners: Ishmael George, sr., WR; John Ginnan, sr., QB; Brandon Berrios, sr., TE; DeAngelo McCullough, sr., WR/DB; Cole Jurcy, sr., WR; Nicolas Barkho, sr., DB/WR; Vincenzo Tusa, sr., LB; Cayleb Linstad, sr., DL; Aaron Ayares, sr., OL; Mohammed Hanif, sr., OL; Colin Tuftedal, sr., LB/K; Darrion Thurman, jr., RB; Francesco Macaluso, jr., TE/DE.
Key newcomers: D’Andre Bartee II, sr., WR; Carter Beucler, sr., DE; Antonio Neal, sr., DL; Karl Pretzer, sr., DL; Matthew Rose, sr., OL; Jeremiah Carrera, jr., WR; Tyson Riley, jr., RB; Larry Smith III, jr., DB; Dane Henson, jr., DB; Joshua Page, jr., DB; Nick Dodge, jr., K/P; Zacharia Barkho, jr., LB; Charles Watt, jr., OL; Nico Mastropieri, jr., OL; Carter McDonald, soph., QB.
Worth noting: If Patrik Pistorio’s name sounds familiar to Storm fans, it is. Pistorio returns for his second head coaching stint at South Elgin after guiding the team to a 5-year record of 29-19 from 2013-2017 that included a pair of postseason berths. South Elgin has won or shared the Upstate Eight Conference title 5 consecutive years - a streak Pistorio hopes to continue this season. “Winning the conference championship is a goal for us and achieving that will require great preparation,” said the coach. The Storm return a wealth of experience, led by IHSFCA Honorable Mention All-State receiver George, who averaged 19.7 yards on 46 receptions and scored 20 touchdowns last season. Ginnan (55-101, 859 yards, 20 TDs, 3 int.) returns at quarterback along with dangerous kick returner/tight end Berrios. The Upstate Eight Conference split has allowed teams to schedule nonconference opponents for the first time. South Elgin will face perennial powerhouses Barrington and Batavia in Weeks 1 and 2, prior to its UEC West opener at Larkin on Sept. 13. A pair of former standout Storm football teammates are on the varsity staff – Derek Kumerow (2015), a wide receiver who played on the NCAA Division III runner-up team at UW-Whitewater, and Andrew Kamienski (2015), a split end who earned All-American honors on the NCAA Division III National Championship Team at North Central.
Streamwood
Coach: Don Guindon (first season).
Last season’s record: 2-7, 2-7 UEC (eighth).
Top returners: Jace Wolf, sr., RB/LB; Payton Maguire, sr., RB’LB; Juan Cortez, sr., RB/LB; Aden Strong, sr., RB/LB; Juan Contreras, sr., OL/DL; Alejandro Flores, sr., QB/FS.
Key newcomers: Richard Guzman, sr., OL/DL; Anthony Richards, jr., WR/DB; Lorenzo Robles, jr., WR/DB; Shazeb Ahmed, jr., RB/LB.
Worth noting: Guindon returns as the Sabres’ head coach, a post he held for five years from 2015-2019. Guindon welcomes the split of the Upstate Eight Conference into separate divisions. “I think it allows the conference to showcase our top talent and top teams against other teams in the state and other conferences,” said the coach. “As long as teams can consistently find nonconference games, it will be a good thing.” Guindon admits his team has a bit of a learning curve under a new system. “There’s a lot of new things for the players,” he said. “Our success will be determined by how quickly we can adjust and buy in to our system.” Streamwood begins its season at home against Addison Trail on Aug. 30.
West Aurora
Coach: Nate Eimer (14th season).
Last season’s record: 5-5, 1-4 Southwest Prairie West (fifth).
Top returners: Seo Liscano, sr., RB/LB; Michael Williams, sr., RB; Jaden Edwards, sr., DB; Casey Roney, sr., K; Nick Weisse, sr., DB/WR; Azzy Sylvester, sr., RB/DB; Terrence Smith, sr., WR; Jordan Martino, sr., RB/DB; Carter Velez, sr., P; Frankie Cicero, sr., OL; RJ Brown, sr., DL; Juan Pacheco, sr., OL; Jesse Estrella, sr., DL; Leo Manning, sr., DL; Isaiah Ferrer, sr., DL; Kewon Mitchell, sr., WR; Reece Powers, sr., WR; Mason Atkins, jr., QB; Jayden Garcia, jr., DB; Will Gray, jr., LB; Kieran Duncan, jr., OL; Kellen Younie, jr., LB; Alfie Aguilar, soph., OL.
Key newcomers: Zack Murray, sr., OT; Zach Toma, sr., WR; Xavier Knowles, jr., CB; Elijah Jackson, jr., DT; James Roundy, jr., RB; Bobby Frierson, soph., DL.
Worth noting: Last season, the Blackhawks rebounded from a 1-8 campaign in 2022 to post a .500 mark and reached the Class 8A state playoffs for the first time since 2018. “We’ve got 24 guys coming back that played significant time last year, along with a sophomore team that finished 6-3 joining them,” said Eimer. The list of returnees includes 6-foot-4 senior receiver Terrence Smith, who currently has 16 Division 1 collegiate offers, and 6-2, 185-pound junior quarterback Mason Atkins, who has received a D1 offer from Toledo. “On paper, we should be a very good football team,” said the coach. “This is definitely the most complete team we have had in my time here – time will tell how good we can get.” West Aurora kicks off its season at home against Proviso East on Aug. 30. “I think it’s going to be very competitive in our conference,” said Eimer. “We are new to the group and excited to get rolling. We’re back in the Upstate Eight – and the East/West game is back.”
Five players to watch:
Mason Atkins, QB, West Aurora – Talented junior has received a D1 offer from Toledo.
Ishmael George, WR, South Elgin – Caught 46 passes and scored 20 touchdowns last season.
John Ginnan, QB, South Elgin – Earned all-conference honors as junior with 20 TD passes.
Donald Hubbard, DE/FB, Bartlett – All-UEC lineman recorded 44 tackles and 2 ½ sacks as a junior.
Terrence Smith, WR, West Aurora – Possesses game-breaking ability and has received 16 D1 offers.
Five games worth seeing:
Week 2: South Elgin at Batavia; Week 3: Elgin at West Aurora; Week 6: Elgin at Larkin; Week 7: Bartlett at South Elgin; Week 8: West Aurora at East Aurora.