2024 season preview: Scouting the CCL/ESCC
Green Division
IC Catholic Prep
Coach: Bill Krefft
2023 record: 9-3, 2-1 (CCL/ESCC Orange co-champions)
Worth noting: The Knights continued their impressive playoff streak by reaching the Class 4A quarterfinals last season. IC Catholic has made the playoffs each year since 2015, winning four state championships and reaching at least the quarterfinals during that span. Senior linebacker/tight end and Notre Dame commit Dominik Hulak is expected to be a major factor on both sides of the ball this season. Hulak finished with 36 tackles last year, six for loss, while catching 13 passes for 212 yards. Although the Knights’ top receiver/defensive back K.J. Parker graduated, the defense returns two of its top players. Junior linebacker Foley Calcagno comes back after earning All-CCL/ESCC honors with 114 tackles, 12 for loss, along with three sacks. Senior linebacker John Goggin also returns after finishing with 53 tackles, three for loss. IC Catholic will need to replace plenty of offensive playmakers, including their quarterback, running back and top wide receivers. Senior Chance Williams will try to fill the void at wide out. The Knights proved they could compete in their first year in the CCL/ESCC. Their lone megaconference losses were a 35-34 loss to St. Francis and a 47-0 defeat to Class 8A champion Loyola. St. Laurence, also in the megaconference, ended IC Catholic’s season with a 24-20 loss in the 4A quarterfinals. Five of the Knights’ 2024 opponents made the playoffs last season.
Nazareth
Coach: Tim Racki
2023 record: 9-5, 1-2 (Class 5A state champions)
Worth noting: The defending Class 5A state champions will look to win their third straight state championship for the first time in program history. Nazareth will also try to play in its third straight state championship for the program’s second time (2017-2019). Senior defensive lineman and Stanford commit Gabe Kaminski comes back for his senior year in what’s been a decorated career. Kaminski finished with 132 tackles, 43 for loss, along with 19 sacks, two forced fumbles and fumble recoveries each and one interception to earn Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All-State and CCL/ESCC Orange Lineman of the Year honors. Senior quarterback Logan Malachuk returns as one of the top quarterbacks in the state. He threw for 3,477 yards and 33 touchdowns on top of 426 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Nazareth will have plenty of talent come back from an offense that averaged 29.1 points per game. Senior Alex Angulo and junior Eddie McClain will provide experience at the running back position while senior Jimmy Penley, and juniors Jake Cestone and Trenton Walker will be targets for Malachuk. Seniors Sam Stec and Maxwell Derring and sophomore Christian Malachuk will lead the way on the line. Senior defensive back and Indiana commit Garrett Reese leads a talented defense. Penley joins him in the secondary along with McClain. Johnny Colon, junior Lesroy Tittle will sure things up the middle and senior Nolan Daly will join Kaminski on the line. The Roadrunners will try to overcome a slow start once again. Nazareth is 4-8 in August and September the last two seasons. Despite their postseason success, the Roadrunners will try to win their first division title since 2019 when they won the Orange in the first year of the CCL/ESCC.
St. Francis
Coach: Bob McMillen
2023 record: 10-3, 2-1 (CCL/ESCC Orange co-champions)
Worth noting: The Spartans will try to get over the hump after reaching the semifinals the last two seasons. St. Francis has qualified for the playoffs each year since 2018 and has reached the quarterfinals three times during that span. The Spartans will need to replace quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, who was named the Orange Player of the Year and currently plays for Michigan State. Senior Brady Palmer enters fall camp as the No. 1 but will be tested by junior Jalen Carter. St. Francis returns some offensive skill players. Senior running back TyVonn Ransom comes back after rushing for 1,360 yards and 10 touchdowns while senior wide receiver Ian Willis had 941 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns and junior Zach Washington finished with 777 yards and 11 touchdowns. Junior Dario Milivojevic will also provide experience as a wideout. Junior tight end and defensive end Gavin Mueller will return to football after not playing since eighth grade. He’s already earned college interest from schools like Florida, Texas A&M, Wisconsin and Illinois. St. Francis will need to replace some of their top defensive talent. Senior safety Seth Valeri and sophomores Issac Saldana and James McGrath will shore up the secondary, senior linebackers Liam Kolinski and Ryan Palmeri are set to secure the middle while senior Will Alt and juniors Brady Hill, Cooper Paukstis and Jaylen Torres will have a presence off the line. Seven of the eight Illinois teams St. Francis will play this year qualified for the playoffs last year. The Spartans will play two defending champions, Loyola and Nazareth.
St. Rita
Coach: Martin Hopkins
2023 record: 8-5, 0-3
Worth noting: St. Rita is hoping to build momentum in Hopkins’ second season at the helm. After losing in the first round of Class 7A playoffs to eventual state champion Mount Carmel, the Mustangs went on to win the Prep Bowl against Kenwood. Plenty of underclassmen earned practice and game experience during St. Rita’s run in the Prep Bowl. Senior running back Nick Herman will step into the lead rushing role after splitting time with DJ Stewart last season. Herman rushed for 715 yards and five touchdowns on 119 carries last year. Senior linebacker Justin Buckner will try to lead the defense after earning All-CCL/ESCC honors last season. He finished with 110 tackles last year, five for a loss, with three sacks, three interceptions and one fumble recovery. Senior linebacker James Kingsbury, who had 88 tackles in 10 games last year, brings back plenty of varsity experience, senior J.P. Danaher will cause disruptions from the line and juniors Langston Smith and James Franklin return in the secondary. Senior Tommy Perry and junior Steven Armbruster will compete to replace Jett Hilding as the team’s starting quarterback. St. Rita returns to the Green after competing in the Blue last season. The Mustangs won two outright Green titles and one shared title since the megaconference formed in 2019. Although St. Rita will be the road team in its Week 7 matchup against Leo, the Mustangs will get to play at home since the Lions play their home games at St. Rita.
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Gabe Kaminski, Nazareth, sr., DE – A versatile athlete who’s shown his ability to play different positions at an elite level on both sides of the ball
- TyVonn Ransom, St. Francis, sr., RB – One of the top rushers in the megaconference, Ransom will be a big leader on and off the field
- Dominik Hulak, IC Catholic, sr., LB – An elite athlete who should make his presence known on either side
- Nick Herman, St. Rita, sr., RB – Brings back plenty of experience and will be leaned on in the backfield
- Logan Malachuk, Nazareth, sr., QB – After making winning plays since starting as a freshman, Malachuk will have one last run at another state title
FIVE CAN’T MISS GAMES
- Week 3: Nazareth at Mount Carmel – One of the top CCL/ESCC crossover matchups this season, this matchup will be the first between defending state champions in the state. The defending Class 5A champion Roadrunners will face a tough test traveling to the Class 7A defending champion Caravan.
- Week 4: St. Rita at St. Francis – There will be plenty at stake in the opening Green matchup for both of these teams. Each will try to set the tone early in the division race with plenty of new faces in their lineups. The Mustangs will also look for revenge after dropping last season’s 31-28 game late.
- Week 5: Joliet Catholic at Nazareth – A rematch of last season’s Class 5A state championship game, this should make for a fun CCL/ESCC crossover matchup that each team will want to win in their journey back into the playoffs. Both teams will look a little different compared to the last time they played, but there should be plenty of juice between these two state powerhouses.
- Week 6: St. Francis at IC Catholic Prep – A critical matchup in the CCL/ESCC Green race, both teams will need to win this one if they want to win a division title at the end of the season. They’ll try to build off last season’s thriller that the Spartans won 35-34.
- Week 9: IC Catholic Prep at St. Rita – These unfamiliar rivals will likely play for a lot during the final week of the season. Not only could a Green title be on the line, but both teams might need to pick up a critical fifth win in order to make the playoffs or improve their seeding.
Purple Division
Benet
Coach: Patrick New
2023 record: 4-5, 0-3
Worth noting: The Redwings will try to get over the hump and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019 after coming close the last three seasons. They’ve gone 4-5 the last three years, losing their win-and-get-in regular-season finales each season. Benet is trying to start another long stretch of making the playoffs as it did from 2012 to 2019. Senior quarterback Ryan Kubacki returns after earning All-CCL/ESCC honors last season. He led an offense that scored an average of 20.1 points per game. Kubacki will try to elevate it to another level this season. Senior defensive linemen Liam Rooney, Joe Rodi and Declan Walsh will make up one of the top defensive lines in the megaconference. Rooney earned All-CCL/ESCC honors last season and is earning college interest while Rodi is a Butler commit and Walsh committed to St. Thomas. Senior linebackers Dan Flores and Marty Radgowski and junior defensive back Jack Getz all return from a defense that limited opponents to 13 or less points four times. Senior wide receiver Luke Wildes and Radgowski will be key returning targets for Kubacki while senior Michael O’Rourke brings back experience on the offensive line. The Redwings are seeking their first division title since the CCL/ESCC formed in 2019. Four of Benets’ opponents made the playoffs last season (Hillcrest, St. Viator, Mount Carmel, Nazareth) while three more teams just missed out with 4-5 records (De La Salle, Fenwick, DePaul Prep).
DePaul Prep
Coach: Mike Passarella
2023 record: 4-5, 1-2
Worth noting: DePaul Prep came its closest to returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2015 last season. The Rams dropped their regular-season finale to De La Salle where a win would’ve sent them in. The program has only made the playoffs once since the school formed in 2014 from the former Gordon Tech. Senior quarterback Juju Rodriguez returns for his third season as the Rams starter after earning All-CCL/ESCC honors last season. He threw for 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns along with 131 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Braden Peevy comes back after finishing his All-CCL/ESCC season last year with 417 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Senior offensive lineman Dominic Bitz will try to build off a season where he earned Red Offensive Lineman of the Year honors while senior running back Nick Martinez comes back after sharing rushing snaps last year. Senior linebacker Jett Reese and senior defensive lineman Michael Casper come back and will try to take the Rams defense to another level after limiting opponents to 14 or fewer points three times last season. Senior linebackers Aidan Castette and Gianni Giunta along with senior defensive backs Shae Griffith, Avry Bellis and Max Pettinger will all bring back experience as well. The Rams return to the playoffs won’t come easy. Four of their opponents made the playoffs last year (Loyola, St. Viator, Carmel, St. Francis) while four more teams just missed with 4-5 records (Deerfield, Marian Central, Marian Catholic, Benet).
St. Patrick
Coach: Luke Mertens
2023 record: 2-7, 1-2
Worth noting: The Shamrocks are hoping a couple seasons of growing pains turns into success this season. St. Patrick has finished 4-5 and 2-7, respectively, during Mertens’ first two seasons in charge of the program after mostly playing young players. The program will try to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021 and build consistent success — St. Patrick hasn’t made the playoffs back-to-back years since 2013. Mertens brings back plenty of experience in one of the most important positions in order to compete in the megaconference: offensive line. Juniors Conor Malenock, Matt Downes and Eli Valencia are entering their third season as starters and will be critical to the offense’s success. Senior quarterback Colin Hay comes back after splitting snaps last season. He’ll have returning talent to throw to in senior wide receivers Vince Curio and Gavin Fitzgerald. Senior Lucas Stuckert and junior Kevin Michaelsen bring back experience on the defensive line while senior linebacker Jack Harrington and senior defensive backs Leo Soriano and Max Pydych will shore things up in the back of the defense. St. Patrick will be tested throughout the year, especially throughout the second half of the season. Six of the Shamrocks’ last nine opponents either made the playoffs or just missed out with a 4-5 record. The Shamrocks will try to reclaim their success in the CCL/ESCC since it formed. During that time, St. Patrick has won an outright Purple title in the fall 2021 season and shares of the Purple in 2019 and 2022.
St. Viator
Coach: David Archibald
2023 record: 6-5, 2-1
Schedule: Aug. 30 at Riverside University High (Wisc.); Sept. 7 Hyde Park; Sept. 13 at Marmion; Sept. 20 at Benet; Sept. 27 St. Ignatius; Oct. 4 DePaul Prep; Oct. 11 Montini; Oct. 18 at IC Catholic Prep; Oct. 25 St. Patrick.
Worth noting: St. Viator won its first playoff game since 2016 when it upset Richmond-Burton in the Class 4A first round last season. The Lions snuck their way into the playoffs for a second straight year after winning their regular-season finale. They’ll try to qualify for the postseason for a third straight season for the first time since 2004-2006. Senior quarterback Cooper Kmet comes back after a dynamic season where he earned Purple Offensive Player of the Year honors. Kmet threw for 1,970 yards and finished with 24 touchdowns, throwing 21 and rushing in for three more. Senior athlete Dayvion Ellis will be a major target for Kmet and a playmaker in all three phases of the game. Ellis finished with 806 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, 440 rushing yards and four touchdowns, 6.5 tackles and two interceptions along with 257 kickoff return yards and one touchdown. He was named the Purple co-Most Valuable Player and earned Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All-State honors. Senior wide receiver Jaylan Szlachetka and senior offensive lineman Ben Konopka both return and should be major factors after earning All-CCL/ESCC honors. Senior linebacker Ethan Angst will be a major leader defensively, along with Szlachetka at cornerback. St. Viator will try to win its first outright title since the megaconference formed in 2019. The program shared division titles in 2019 and 2022. The Lions will play Riverside University High for a second straight season. They beat Riverside 53-0, who went on to finish the season 4-6.
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Dayvion Ellis, St. Viator, sr., ATH – An elite playmaker who showed he can do it all with his speed in all three phases
- Liam Rooney, Benet, sr., DL – A top interior lineman who can pressure quarterbacks and stop the run from the middle
- JuJu Rodriguez, DePaul Prep, sr., QB – With plenty of varsity experience, Rodriguez should shine with his playmaking ability
- Connor Malenock, St. Patrick, jr., OL – Returning for his third year as a starter, Malenock has big potential to turn heads with his play
- Cooper Kmet, St. Viator, sr., QB – After getting into a strong groove toward the end of the season, Kmet should continue to show off his strong arm
FIVE CAN’T MISS GAMES
- Week 1: St. Patrick at Niles Notre Dame – This rivalry game was preserved as a CCL/ESCC crossover and should make for a fun start to the season for both teams. The Shamrocks will try to break an eight-game losing streak to the Dons.
- Week 6: DePaul Prep at St. Viator – The second Purple game of the season for both teams could decide who ends up winning the division. Both teams have electric offenses who have proven they can find ways to win. A victory here sets up the winning team nicely heading into the final third of the season.
- Week 8: St. Viator at IC Catholic – The Lions’ final two CCL/ESCC crossover games will be a nice test going up against Montini and IC Catholic. The Knights have been one of the top programs in the state recently and a nice challenge on the road will prepare St. Viator for a playoff push.
- Week 8: Benet at Nazareth – A nice CCL/ESCC crossover rivalry game for both teams toward the end of the season. Both of these programs draw from the same areas, so there will be plenty to play for other than a late playoff push and higher seedings.
- Week 9: DePaul Prep at Benet – This matchup could end up being the game of the year for both of these programs. Each missed the playoffs with 4-5 records last year and will try to break that streak this season. The Redwings last made the playoffs in 2019 while the Rams will try to return for the first time since 2015.
Red Division
De La Salle
Coach: Harold Blackmon
2023 record: 4-5, 1-2
Worth noting: Blackmon took over the Meteors program after previous stints at St. Laurence and Oak Lawn. He finished with a 41-37 record from 2012 to 2018 at St. Laurence, leading the Vikings to the semifinals twice in 2015 and 2016. In his two seasons with Oak Lawn, he went 2-13 in 2019 and the 2021 spring season. Blackmon will turn De La Salle into a spread offense that plays aggressive and up-tempo. He’ll rely on senior Kaleb Navarro to take over as the team’s starting quarterback. Navarro split time among different positions, including quarterback, tight end and defensive end last year. He earned All-CCL/ESCC honors last season. Junior Joshua Thornton will also be a key playmaker, with his ability to make plays with his speed as a running back and linebacker. Senior Jayden Wallace is also expected to be a threat on both sides of the ball while senior offensive lineman Enrique Diaz and senior cornerback Victor Lee both bring back strong experience. The Meteors came their closest to qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Their four wins was the most the program had in the regular season since it won five in 2018. De La Salle will try to win its first division crown since the megaconference formed in 2019. The Meteors will face three teams (Argo, Nazareth, Joliet Catholic) that made the postseason last year. Two of them, the Roadrunners and Hilltoppers, played in the Class 5A state championship last year.
Leo
Coach: Marques Stevenson
2023 record: 1-8, 0-3
Worth noting: The Lions are looking to take a step forward during Stevenson’s second season in charge. Leo had its first one-win regular season since 2015 — the program also went 1-5 during the spring 2021 season. There will be plenty to play for, as the Lions will try to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2013 and only the second time since 2008. Leo will return plenty of starters who made strides last year. Senior offensive lineman Nicholas Armour, wide receiver Neil Anderson and running back and wide receiver Javon Logan all come back after earning All-CCL/ESCC honors for their play last season. Logan had 478 rushing yards and five touchdowns along with 132 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Anderson added 357 receiving yards and two touchdowns last year. They’ll be important for the development of junior quarterback Derrick Davis III, who will move into the starter’s position. Seniors Marshawn Durr, Gavin Donald and Ryan Cunningham will all bring back experience as well. They’ll all spend time on both sides of the ball, playing wide receiver and defensive back. The Lions will face three teams (Amundsen, St. Laurence, St. Rita) who competed in the playoffs last season. They’ll also try to win their first division championship since the megaconference formed.
Marian Catholic
Coach: Nick Lopez
2023 record: 4-5, 3-0 (CCL/ESCC Red champions)
Worth noting: The Spartans will try to get over the hump in Lopez’ third season after just missing the playoffs the last two years, ending each season with a 4-5 record. They’ve lost win-and-get-in regular-season finales the last couple years. Marian hasn’t qualified for the playoffs since 2019 and only made the playoffs once since 2010. Senior linebacker Ronnie Gordon comes back after being one of the top defensive players in the Red last season. He finished with 108 tackles, seven for a loss, along with one interception. He earned All-CCL/ESCC honors. Senior defensive linemen Joaquin Mendez and Kaleb Stanford return to lead the defense upfront while senior Roosevelt Griffin will join Gordon at linebacker. Senior defensive backs Zach Coleman, an Indiana State commit, and Harmon Cummings return in the secondary. While the Spartans return plenty of experience defensively, the offense returns one starter. Senior Joey Baranski comes in to be the starting quarterback while junior Kyle Scott, Gordon and sophomore Antonio Banks will all split time at running back. Senior Chase Olgesby will become a top passing target while juniors Jonathan Dorth, Ari Pinkus and Jamie Prutsman will bring talent to the offensive line. Marian won its second Red title last season since the CCL/ESCC formed. The Spartans took their first crown during the megaconferece’s first season.
Marmion
Coach: Adam Guerra
2023 record: 2-7, 0-3
Worth noting: Guerra takes over the program after former coach Dan Thorpe stepped down after 19 seasons at the helm. The last time Guerra was in charge of a program, he led St. Patrick to its first quarterfinal appearance in 2021. He’ll try to replicate that success with the Cadets, who are seeking their first playoff berth since 2021. He’ll rely on some key returning talent in order to do that. Senior running back and linebacker Michael Roche, senior defensive back and wide receiver Bryan Scales along with junior running back and defensive end Joey Favia all return after earning All-CCL/ESCC honors last season. Senior lineman Mateusz Nycz is expected to bring back much-needed experience on both sides of the line as well. Senior Kam Tolliver and junior Vinnie Testa will battle it out for the starting quarterback spot during fall camp. Whoever wins the spot will try to implement Guerra’s new offense, one that Guerra hopes will take the program’s offense to another level after averaging 18 points per game. The Cadets will try to build success in the CCL/ESCC under Guerra. The Shamrocks won a Purple title under Guerra in 2021 and shared a Purple title in 2019. Marmion hasn’t won a division crown since the megaconference formed. The Cadets will have a tough CCL/ESCC crossover schedule. Three of the teams they’ll play made the playoffs last season (St. Viator, Montini, IC Catholic).
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Ronnie Gordon, Marian Catholic, sr., LB/RB – After a strong season being a defensive anchor, Gordon should continue to dominate with his physical play
- Nicholas Armour, Leo, sr., DL/OL – A dynamic athlete who can use his speed to match his 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame.
- Kaleb Navarro, De La Salle, sr., QB – With a wealth of experience at different positions, Navarro should be a rushing threat on top of passing
- Bryan Scales, Marmion, sr., WR/DB/RB – A threat on both sides of the ball who can use his speed to his advantage
- Javon Logan, Leo, sr., RB/WR – Logan should be a top threat in the division with his ability to rush and pass-catch
FIVE CAN’T MISS GAMES
- Week 3: DePaul Prep at Marian – These former Red rivals will reconnect in an early CCL/ESCC crossover game. The Spartans stopped the Rams for competing for a division title last year and will look for revenge this season with an early win.
- Week 5: Marmion at Montini – The Cadets will get a nice test midway through Guerra’s first season when they play the Broncos on the road. A win here for Marmion would set things up nicely heading into the second half of the season as the Cadets try to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
- Week 5: De La Salle at Fenwick – The Meteors will try to stop one of the top senior prospects in the state in the Friars’ Nate Marshall. De La Salle is vying for a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and a win here would help it accomplish that goal.
- Week 7: St. Rita at Leo – This late CCL/ESCC crossover game will have a fun twist to it: The Lions will be the home team on the Mustangs’ field. Leo plays its home games at St. Rita, so the Lions will need to overcome that on top of a tough challenge against a Green opponent.
- Week 9: De La Salle at Marian – These two Red rivals just missed out on making the playoffs last season and this year’s matchup could be for more than a division title. The Spartans will try to build upon their three winning streak against the Meteors in the last three seasons.
White Division
Carmel
Coach: Jason McKie
2023 record: 10-2, 3-0 (CCL/ESCC Purple champions)
Worth noting: McKie has completely transformed the Corsairs program since taking over during the spring 2021 season. Carmel has gone from 1-4 during that COVID-19-shortened season to a 10-2 record with an appearance in the Class 5A quarterfinals last year. The Corsairs will try to build upon back-to-back trips to the playoffs and they have the talent to do it. Sophomore quarterback Trae Taylor will take over as the starter after splitting snaps last season. He’s already earned college scholarship offers from schools like Michigan, Ohio State, Miami, Oklahoma and Ole Miss, making him the highest-recruited Illinois quarterback prospect since J.J. McCarthy. He’ll have plenty of talent around him. Senior running back Donovan Dey comes back after being named the CCL/ESCC Purple co-Most Valuable Player. He finished with 1,411 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. Senior tight end Jack Greiber and junior wide receiver Kai Owens will join Dey as talented targets for Taylor. Senior offensive linemen Tommy Lamberti and Logan Zupancic will provide experienced protection. Senior defensive back Jordan McKie returns after earning All-CCL/ESCC honors last season while senior linebacker Dominic Delorme and senior defensive lineman Noah Jackson-Briscoe bring back experience from a defense that limited opponents to 12.1 points per game. The Corsairs will be tested this season, playing against five teams that played in the postseason last year. They’ll play a defending champion (Loyola), state finalist (St. Laurence) and two semifinalists (Providence, Montini). Carmel won its first outright division title since the CCL/ESCC formed in 2019. The Corsairs earned a share of the Purple in 2022.
Fenwick
Coach: Matt Battaglia
2023 record: 4-5, 1-2
Worth noting: The Friars just missed the playoffs last year for the first time since Battaglia took over during the spring 2021 season when no postseason was held. Fenwick won the Class 5A state championship in the fall 2021 season and lost in the first round in 2022. The program has only missed the playoffs three times since 2012. Senior defensive lineman and Michigan commit Nathaniel Marshall returns as one of the top pass rushers in the nation. Marshall finished last year with 38 tackles, 16 for a loss, along with 13 quarterback hits, six sacks, four forced fumbles, four blocked kicks and earned Orange Defensive Player of the Year honors. He also added 148 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Senior linebacker Jack Paris will also return after earning All-CCL/ESCC honors last year with 68 tackles, 13 for a loss and one interception. Senior linebackers Brian Timpone and Aiden Burns, senior defensive linemen Colin Murray, Timmy Mulcahy, Patrick Gilboy and senior Henry Fluecke and junior defensive backs Tommy Theis will all bring back defensive experience. Senior Frank Hosty and junior Jamen Williams will battle for the starting quarterback position while senior running back Ninos Ammer comes back. Seniors TJ Woods, Gianni Bertacchi and Myles Morriarty and junior Logan Schultz all come back on the offensive line. The Friars will try to get back into the postseason against six teams that qualified last year. Fenwick is also looking for its first division title since the fall 2021 season.
Montini
Coach: Mike Bukovsky
2023 record: 9-4, 2-1 (CCL/ESCC White co-champions)
Worth noting: The Broncos last season looked like the old Montini program fans were used to watching over the past 30 years. They returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, reaching the Class 3A semifinals and losing 26-20 to eventual state champion Byron. Montini will try to start another playoff streak after qualifying from 1993 to 2019. The Broncos bring back 11 players defensively and eight players on the offensive side. Senior linebackers Vince Irion and Jeremiah Peterson both come back after earning All-CCL/ESCC last year. Peterson had 120 tackles, 14 for a loss, with two interceptions and a forced fumble while Irion finished with 96 tackles, 17 for a loss, along with five sacks and two interceptions. Seniors JC Hayes and Nicky Castaldo both bring back All-CCL/ESCC experience from last season on the defensive line while Hayes will also protect on the offensive side of the ball. Senior quarterback Gaetano Carbonara returns after finishing with 2,014 yards on offense along with 16 touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Santino Florio will try to build off a strong season where he earned All-CCL/ESCC honors as a junior. He finished with 588 receiving yards and eight touchdowns to help the Broncos offense average 28.5 points per game. After sharing the Green title in 2019 and the White title last season, the Broncos will try to capture their first outright title since the megaconference formed.
St. Laurence
Coach: Adam Nissen
2023 record: 10-4, 2-1 (Class 4A runner-up, CCL/ESCC White co-champions)
Worth noting: St. Laurence made its first trip back to the playoffs since 2019 memorable last season. The Vikings reached the Class 4A state championship, their first trip back to a state title game since 1979. The program will try to return to the playoffs for the second straight season for the first time since the Vikings made it from 2014 to 2017. There will be a lot of new faces on this year’s team. Four players return defensively while two come back on offense. Senior defensive lineman Chace Chamberlain and senior linebacker Kyle Richardson both come back after earning All-CCL/ESCC honors. They helped lead a defense that limited opponents to 18.6 points per game. Senior linebackers Jacob Bylina, Brendan Carroll and Ja’Sean Mays, senior defensive lineman Gary Coleman and junior safety Cory Les will all also bring back experience. Senior quarterback and Illinois State commit Chase Kwiatkowski transferred into the program from Lake Central, Ind. He’ll lead a new-look offense where senior Harley Rizzs will pick up at running back after being Aaron Ball’s backup last season. Senior offensive lineman Julian Garcia will bring back experience on the line after a strong season last year. The Vikings won their first share of a division crown since the megaconference first started. St. Laurence will try to win their first outright title this season.
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Nathaniel Marshall, Fenwick, sr., DL – One of the top rushmen in the country, Marshall should be nearly impossible to stop this season
- Donovan Dey , Carmel, sr., RB – An elite playmaker who’s ready to build off an impressive junior season
- Chace Chamberlain, St. Laurence, sr., DL – An experienced lineman who can use his size as a pass rusher and run stopper
- Jeremiah Peterson, Montini, sr., LB – A dynamic tackler who should be at the end of most plays once against this season
- Trae Taylor, Carmel, so., QB – Taylor hasn’t been a varsity starter yet but his talented arm has caught the attention of every major college program in the nation
FIVE CAN’T MISS GAMES
- Week 2: St. Ignatius at Fenwick – These former division rivals kept their rivalry alive with an early CCL/ESCC crossover matchup. Both teams have a roster mixed with old and new, so this Week 2 matchup will not only be critical in picking up an early win against a rival but also seeing what each team can do.
- Week 6: Carmel at Montini – These new division rivals will play for a lot in their second White game of the season. The Broncos will try to show that last season’s Class 3A semifinals appearance wasn’t a fluke by going against a talent-filled Carmel team. A win here could decide whether each team will compete for a division title.
- Week 8: Loyola at Carmel – The Corsairs took a big step last season, losing in the Class 5A quarterfinals to eventual champion Nazareth. Carmel has a lot of talent coming back, highlighted by Taylor, but the Corsairs will get a nice test toward the end of the season against the 8A defending champion Ramblers at home.
- Week 8: Brother Rice at St. Laurence – The final CCL/ESCC crossover of the year pins two neighboring schools in what could be the start of a new rivalry. The Vikings will try to build off last season’s Class 4A championship appearance by taking down one of the most-talented teams in the megaconference.
- Week 9: St. Laurence at Montini – These two programs shared a White crown last season and this regular season finale could be for the outright title if each team takes care of business. Both teams made deep runs in their respective classes last season and a win here could secure a playoff spot and a higher playoff seed.