Scouting DuPage County Week 1 football games
Addison Trail at Streamwood
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About the Blazers: Addison Trail accomplished a great deal last season, posting a 7-4 record and qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2014. In the process, the Blazers also snapped a string of 8 consecutive losing seasons.
About the Sabres: Don Guindon returns for his second stint as Sabres head coach, having guided the program from 2015-2019. “There’s a lot of new things for the players,” said Guindon. “Our success will be determined by how quickly we can adjust and buy in to our system.” Seniors Jace Wolf (RB), Aden Strong (RB), and Alejandro Flores (QB) head the list of returnees.
Chicago Military Academy-Bronzeville at Westmont
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About the Eagles: Four years ago, the Eagles didn’t field a varsity team. Last fall, Chicago Military Academy-Bronzeville finished 2-6 under the direction of head coach Lorenzo Johnson, who guided the team to a 6-3 mark in 2022.
About the Sentinels: After playing an abbreviated 6-game season in 2022, the Sentinels returned to a full 9-game slate in 2023, posting a 2-7 record highlighted by victories over Chicago Prosser and Walther Christian. Two-way standout Lucas Fears returns at quarterback/linebacker after enjoying a successful spring on the baseball team.
St. Mary's South Side Catholic at IC Catholic Prep
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About St. Mary's: The Knights were originally supposed to play Chicago Noble/Rowe-Clark, who cancelled. St. Mary's is located outside St. Louis.
About the Knights: Coach Bill Krefft’s Knights have reached the state playoffs every year since 2015, highlighted by their 4 state championships (2016, 2017, 2018, 2022). Notre Dame commit Dominik Hulak (TE/LB), senior John Goggin (LB), and junior Foley Calcagno (LB) provide experience for the Class 4A powerhouse.
Fenton at Elgin
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Elgin won, 24-21, last season.
About the Bison: Nathan Stewart returns for his senior season at quarterback, this time playing for new head coach Mark Farrell, who guided Fenton to a 21-17 record from 2005-2008. The Bison have dropped 10 consecutive games but could find themselves in another 1-score battle against Elgin Friday night.
About the Maroons: Seniors Adrian Jackson (tackle) and Robert Capuzi (center) anchor an offensive line opening holes for tailback Fabian Ramirez, while senior Julian Cortez (safety) leads the defensive secondary. This Upstate Eight crossover features teams familiar with one another, having played together in the former 10-team UEC.
Houston Second Baptist at Wheaton Academy
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About the Eagles: The Eagles finished 8-5 last fall, advancing to the TAPPS Division II state semifinals before dropping a 34-7 decision. Juniors Canon Toon (QB) and Langston Davis (RB) lead the list of offensive returnees. “They’ve won 9 of their last 10 district championships,” Warriors coach Jim Johanik said of Second Baptist. “We have our work cut out for us, but I love the fact that we schedule out-of-state opponents Week 1. It exposes our players to regional differences in the style of football that college players regularly see.”
About the Warriors: Wheaton Academy returns a solid core of playmakers, including Jeremy Johanik (C/MLB), Brandon Kiebles (RB/OLB), and Gino Spinelli (WR/DB). Senior Nathan Downey takes over at quarterback after the graduation loss of Brett Kasper, now at Illinois State. “Nathan came to us last year and immediately bought into the system and the coaching of JR Rexilius, Jr., our quarterbacks coach,” said Johanik. “Nathan has stepped up and can fill the big shoes of Brett Kasper. We really liked what we saw from Nathan during our scrimmage against St. Francis.”
Kenwood at St. Francis
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting:
About the Broncos: Chris Goffer debuts as Kenwood’s head coach, replacing Sinque Turner, who guided the Broncos to a 7-year record of 44-22, including a Class 6A state quarterfinal appearance in 2022.
About the Spartans: St. Francis begins another grueling schedule that features 7 Illinois state playoff qualifiers and a pair of state champions. Senior Brady Palmer and junior Jalen Carter battled for the starting quarterback spot this offseason after the departure of Daily Herald DuPage All-Area Captain Alessio Milivojevic – now at Michigan State. TyVonn Ransom, Ian Willis, Zach Washington, and Dario Milivojevic return with game-breaking ability.
Naperville North at New Trier
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting:
About the Huskies: An intriguing season opener for coach Sean Drendel’s Huskies, who posted a 6-4 mark last fall. Naperville North welcomes the return of starting quarterback Jacob Bell (Ball State verbal commit) and transfer receiver Tyler Morris (44 catches, 637 yards, 7 TDs at Plainfield East last season).
About the Trevians: A year ago, the Trevians finished 3-6 and failed to make the playoffs for the third time in 17 years. Third-year starting quarterback Patrick Heneghan returns to lead an offense that features tailback Jayden Salazar and receiver Dylan Benjamin.
Batavia at Glenbard West
When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
About the Bulldogs: Batavia has made back-to-back Class 7A semifinal appearances and has won two of the last three DuKane Conference championships. The Bulldogs have some big holes to fill to return to those levels, but nobody doubts the program’s pedigree to do just that. Batavia did graduate the conference’s offensive MVP in quarterback Ryan Boe and defensive MVP in Ben Fiegel. Nathan Whitwell, who scored nine touchdowns last year, looks like the top back while Isaiah Brown the top target for new QB Bodi Anderson. Joshua Hecht and Ryan Myers are two Division I prospects up front. Defensively, Malachi Smith heads an explosive defensive line while Josh Kahley, Chase Osborne and Jacob Jansey are leaders of an experienced secondary.
About the Hilltoppers: Glenbard West has made 16 consecutive playoff appearances under head coach Chad Hetlet, and has won at least eight games in every full season during his time as head coach. Expect more of the same. Like Batavia coach Dennis Piron, Hetlet has touted this Hilltoppers’ group as one of his fastest. It starts with senior running back Teyion Oriental, last year’s West Suburban Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Iowa State recruit Mason Ellens, a third-year varsity player, is back at safety and could get time on offense at receiver or running the ball, and in the return game. Michael O’Connell, a 6-foot-7, 285-pound Northwestern recruit, anchors the Batavia offensive line. This is the start of an extremely difficult early schedule for Glenbard West. The Hilltoppers host defending Class 8A champion Loyola in Week 2, then start league play in Week 3 at defending Class 7A runner-up Downers Grove North.
Glenbard South at Wheaton Warrenville South
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Raiders: Glenbard South comes off one of its more successful seasons, a shared Upstate Eight Conference title with Glenbard East and South Elgin and a visit to the Class 5A quarterfinals. Standout wide receiver Cam Williams has graduated and is now at Notre Dame, and the Raiders also lost to graduation three-year starting QB Michael Champagne and All-Area lineman Jack Anderson. The Raiders do, though, return 15 starters, with senior running back Devontae Clark and senior linebacker Joe Villa among names to watch. Glenbard South has made 12 consecutive playoff appearances, the last eight under head coach Ryan Crissey. A trip down Butterfield Road to Wheaton provides a good nonconference test for a Glenbard South team that up until this year participated in a closed conference with no nonconference matchups.
About the Tigers: The Tigers last season scratched and clawed their way to a playoff bid, and it will be a grind again this season with six teams on the schedule that were postseason participants last year. Senior Luca Carbonaro returns for his third season as starting QB and has two inviting targets in Northern Illinois wide receiver recruit Amari Williams, a state track medalist, and Illinois State tight end commit Brady Goken. WW South returns three starters up front to make holes for new No. 1 back Owen Yorke. Defensively, the Tigers return just three starters. Linebackers Axel Boecker, who was second on the team in tackles last season, is the foundation of that group.
Glenbard North at Bartlett
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About the Panthers: Last season, the Panthers struggled to put points on the scoreboard, failing to score more than 14 points in any game while finishing without a win for the first time since 2018. This season, the Panthers return several offensive linemen, including Dylan Bradford, Xavier Cantrelle, Teddy Dost, Chase Mora, and Danny Mahoney, and linebackers Lucas Kramer, Tyler Hvorcik, and Dylan Hendee. Kramer also saw action at tailback last season.
About the Hawks: Bartlett returns 14 starters – 7 on each side of the ball, led by tailbacks Filip Szeszko (80 carries, 449 yards, 6 TDs), Joey Caputo (116 carries, 558 yards, 4 TDs), Isaac Harris (76 carries, 517 yards, 3 TDs), and all-conference players Donald Hubbard (44 tackles, 2 ½ sacks), Daniel Jasso (75 tackles, 1 ½ sacks), and Nicholas Carlos (12 catches, 179 yards, 3 TDs, 7 kick returns, 305 yards, 2 TDs).
Providence at Wheaton North
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Celtics: Either by design or having its hand forced, Providence played a whole lot of underclassmen on a regular basis. The results were all over the map at times, but now the benefits of getting so many players battle scars in a rigorous CCL/ESCC schedule should become clear relatively soon. Gavin Hagan served as something of a utility knife for Providence last season and seemed to excel wherever he was placed. Hagan will likely be part of a talented secondary that also includes ballhawking safety Luke Leverett. Offensively, Providence won’t be as polished of a product as the Celtics were still sorting out the quarterback position in camp, but the defense might good enough to hold them afloat in many a game.
About the Falcons: Wheaton North could very well be a solid football team this season, but if that’s the case, the core of this year’s Falcon crew will look a lot different than last year’s group that reached the second round of the playoffs. That’s because the leaders of last year’s team have largely departed via graduation. But there’s still some notable talent in the Wheaton North stable. Wide receiver Rich Schilling could be a potent weapon provided the Falcons sort out their quarterback situation. Defensively the keys will be linebacker Dylan Jung, who will also be pulling double duty as the Falcons lead running back and junior Shane Diericx who made a huge impression on the unit as a then sophomore.
Lake Park at Conant
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Lake Park 28, Conant 7
Outlook: This neighborhood rivalry continues for the fourth consecutive year. Lake Park, which broke through on the winning side last year, is led by junior quarterback George Tzamouranis and running back Robert Munaco. Conant, which missed the playoffs last year, is looking to get things back on track. The Cougars return seven starters and should be solid at wide receiver with Bradley Biedke, Chase Garcia, Andrew Elder and Grant Kurt.
Downers Grove North vs. O’Fallon
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Illinois Wesleyan
About the Trojans: Downers Grove North is coming off a historic 2023 season. As Class 7A runners-up the Trojans reached the state championship game for the first time since winning the 2004 Class 8A title with the most wins since that 2004 team. Some big pieces are gone from that team, including workhorse running back Noah Battle and leading tackler Cael Brezina. A ton of talent, though, remains, 11 starters. The ringleader is junior QB Owen Lansu, a Minnesota recruit and the second-ranked junior prospect in his position in the state. Lansu threw for 2,200 yards and 24 TDs in his varsity season debut last year. His top targets are junior Oliver Thulin, who had 35 catches for 500 yards and six TDs last year, and Charlie Cruse, who had 24 catches for 300 yards and three TDs. Junior Jake Gregorio, who could also see time at running back, returns at middle linebacker to anchor the defense after recording 100 tackles as a sophomore
About the Panthers: O’Fallon last season just missed out on the playoffs after back-to-back postseason appearances. Joe Speaks, who has been with the program since 2007, takes over as head coach. That followed the December resignation of former head coach Byron Gettis after allowing students with improper residency to enroll to play for the team.
Metea Valley at Downers Grove South
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
About Metea Valley: The Mustangs come off a winless season in which they were outscored by a combined 302-83. Metea Valley is 10 years removed from the program’s only winning regular season and playoff appearance. They’ll be counting on players such as senior defensive end Brandon Noe and junior running back Charles Flowers to turn things around.
About Downers Grove South: The Mustangs ended last regular season on a six-game winning streak to clinch their second consecutive West Suburban Gold title and third straight playoff appearance. Downers Grove South reloads with five starters back on offense and five on defense. Keon Maggitt and Cameron Kasper are two-year starters at wide receiver. The defense is led by third-year starter Ryker Dudley at nose guard and Gavin Powels at outside linebacker. Downers Grove South has lost its last 12 season openers in a full regular season, its last season-opening win in a nine-game season coming in 2011.
Glenbard East at Willowbrook
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
About the Rams: Glenbard East comes off a season in which it matched a program record for wins, shared the Upstate Eight title and reached the playoff quarterfinals for the first time since 1999 in its fifth straight playoff appearance. The Rams graduated several key pieces on offense, notably running backs Blake Salvino and Matt Larson, but Amonte Cook is a dynamic threat for new QB Michael Nee. Glenbard East has more experience on defense with senior linemen Cooper Conliss and edge rusher Nick Payne up front and senior Stevyn Fox in the secondary.
About the Warriors: Willowbrook is coming off its eighth consecutive playoff appearance. The Warriors, though, have dropped their last three season openers to Providence and Niles Notre Dame. The Warriors must replace a four-year varsity starting quarterback in Arthur Palicki, but they do return nine starters on offense and five on defense. The man to watch is senior wide receiver KJ Rhodes comes off a monster junior season in which he caught 85 passes for 1,542 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Benet at Hillcrest
When: 11:30 a.m. Saturday
About the Redwings: Benet seeks a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. The Redwings have gone gone 4-5 the last three years, losing their win-and-get-in regular-season finales each season. Senior quarterback Ryan Kubacki, an all-conference pick, returns after leading an offense last season that averaged 20.1 points per game. All-conference defensive lineman Liam Rooney returns to lead a defense that limited opponents to 13 points or fewer four times. Rooney, Butler recruit Joe Rodi and St. Thomas commit Declan Walsh make up a very talented defensive line.
About the Hawks: Hillcrest last season made its third consecutive playoff appearance with its most wins since 2019. The Hawks will look to take the next step with 14 returning starters, nine on offense. Keep an eye on two-way RB/DB Erimus Wright, a South Dakota State signee. An intriguing talent is 6-foot-6 inch, 225-pound defensive end Max Carmickle, who is bringing his athletic talents from the basketball court.
Hinsdale Central at Naperville Central
When: 7 p.m.
About the Red Devils: Hinsdale Central is coming off its second consecutive losing season, missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1997-1998. A return will be a challenge, with five 2023 playoff teams on its schedule. The Red Devils do have a ton of experience on offense, specifically up front with four returning offensive linemen. Junior Gene Riordan, 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds and also a standout lacrosse player, holds 10 offers including Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, Northwestern and Minnesota. That group will be blocking for junior QB Riley Contreras, who is entering his third season as varsity starter. Senior safety Zach Kruse and senior linebacker Noah McCurry are the lone two returning starters on defense.
About the Redhawks: Naperville Central last season made its third straight playoff appearance, its eight wins the program’s most since 2017. Leading the defense with seven returning starters is Buffalo commit Jake Stanish at defensive end and Brown commit Garrett Nichols at cornerback after Nichols transferred in from Cedar Park (Texas). Indiana commit DeShaun Williams has transferred in from St. Francis and gives Naperville Central another talented weapon at wide receiver. Naperville Central beat Hinsdale Central 14-10 in last season’s opener.
Hyde Park at Montini
When: 7 p.m.
About the Thunderbirds: After former head coach Keenan Phillips-Riley led Hyde Park to four consecutive playoff appearances, the pinnacle a nine-win 2022 season, the Thunderbirds took a big step back last season. Now Douglas Hicks has been hired as Hyde Park’s third head coach in three seasons. This marks Hyde Park’s first regular season game against a non-Chicago team since 2019, a 57-0 loss to St. Laurence.
About the Broncos: Montini, after missing the playoffs uncharacteristically in back-to-back seasons, returned with a vengeance in 2023, reaching the Class 3A semifinals before a 26-20 loss to eventual champion Byron. Montini will try to start another playoff streak after qualifying from 1993 to 2019. The Broncos return 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 honors 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. Senior quarterback Gaetano Carbonara returns after finishing with 2,014 yards on offense along with 16 touchdowns. His top target, Santino Florio is back, after putting up 588 yards and eight TDs last year.
Glenbrook South st York
When: 7:30 p.m.
About the Titans: Glenbrook South last year needed a 42-21 win over Glenbrook North in Week 9 to reach the playoffs as a 4-5 team, the program’s third consecutive playoff appearance. The Titans return 13 starters, seven on defense. Andrew Bonvechio, who is a junior, will be at quarterback. Tyrone Cotton III will be a huge threat at wide receiver. Glenbrook South lost the season opener to York 35-17 last year.
About the Dukes: Don Gelsomino, defensive coordinator for the past four seasons, makes his York head coaching debut after Mike Fitzgerald left for Marist. York has emerged as one of the area’s dominant programs. The Dukes have made back-to-back Class 8A semifinal appearances with just one regular-season loss during that two-year stretch. Two-way starting lineman Joe Reiff, a Notre Dame reruit, is one of the top prospects in Illinois’ Class of 2025 and had 68 tackles and 11 sacks as a junior. Senior RB/LB Jimmy Conners had 57 tackles. Senior Bruno Massel, who played a role as a running backup QB with four rushing TDs and was an All-State sprinter, takes over behind center with senior QB Adam Yue also competing for the position.
Neuqua Valley at Oswego
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Wildcats: The Wildcats were second in the DuPage Valley Conference last season and return nine starters, with the defense featuring senior defensive back Nick Pape and junior defensive back Andrew Hoffman, both returning all-conference players. All-conference linebacker Zach Schaefer and all-conference lineman Ryan Mascari also return. Mascari has been a standout at defensive tackle but had to play tight end and right tackle at times last year. Quarterback Kiet Truong possesses a lot of potential and will help determine just how good the Wildcats will be this season.
About the Panthers: Oswego bounced back from a rare losing season in 2022 to return to the playoffs last season – and the tone was set in last year’s 13-0 shutout of Neuqua Valley in Week 1. A stingy defense allowed just 70 regular-season points. Senior linebacker Carson Cooney, an Iowa recruit and third-year varsity player, is the ringleader of that group and one of five seniors that played up as sophomores. He’s flanked by another talented linebacker in Mikey Claycombe as well as Easton Ruby. Senior Jeremiah Cain, a Northern Iowa recruit, is a big-play threat at wide receiver for senior QB Brett Connolly who also sees time at defensive back. The Panthers have quite a schedule to start their season – home games with Neuqua and Joliet Catholic.
Waubonsie Valley at Oswego East
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Warriors: Adam Pucylowski, previously defensive coordinator at Naperville Central, takes over as head coach at Waubonsie. The Warriors beat Oswego East 28-7 in last year’s season opener and went on to a four-win improvement from a winless 2022 season. Waubonsie has a senior-heavy roster led by two-way starter Stefan Popov, one of four returning starters on the offensive line. Chrisjan Simmons, a 5-foot-7, 183-pound senior, will be running behind them. Joshua Tinney, who had three interceptions last season and allowed only three receptions to his assigned receiver, leads three returning starters in the Waubonsie defensive backfield.
About the Wolves: Oswego East is seeking a bounce-back season after missing the playoffs last year for the first time since 2014. The Wolves have big holes to fill up front, the graduation of their entire starting offensive line with two now playing Division I football. Junior quarterback Niko Villacci returns after starting last year as a sophomore. Also returning in the backfield is junior Jasiah Watson, who showed flashes of serious talent as a sophomore. Nigel Grisby, a senior defensive back committed to Indiana State, and senior Andy Pohlman lead a strong defensive backfield.
Harvard at Lisle
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Hornets: The Hornets went 0-9 for the second year in a row, with their last win Oct. 8, 2021, against Sandwich (29-24). Harvard came close to picking up its first win in two years in Week 9, falling 32-28 to to Johnsburg. … QB Adam Cooke, a senior, started eight games last year, throwing for 593 yards, three TDs and eight INTs. ... Cooke’s top receiver is senior Danny Rosas, along with Christian Mercado and Landon Crone. … Coach Brad Swanson said the defense has put a big emphasis on pursuit and tackling this summer. Last year, Harvard allowed 38.3 points a game.
About the Lions: The Lions finished 2-7 a year ago and were 1-6 in the Illinois Central Eight. … Last season, which saw Lisle lose seven in a row bookended by a Week 1 win over Harvard and Week 9 upset of Reed-Custer, was the first time since 2017 the Lions had missed the postseason.
– Joshua Welge, Alex Kantecki and Steve Soucie from Shaw Local News Network contributed.