Counting down to 2025 kickoff: Scouting the Central Suburban League North

Highland Park

Last season: 3-6

Coach: Anthony Kopp

Worth noting: With 10 position spots returning on both sides of the ball, the Giants will be looking to return to the playoffs after missing the mark last season. … Leading that charge will be Lucas Gordon, who is coming off of a 1,000-yard receiving and 10-touchdown performance last season. Gordon started his freshman season and has become the career school record holder in multiple wide receiver categories. Gordon also swings over to play defensive back. … Gustav Crane, who played last year as a sophomore, will get the nod as the starting quarterback. Besides Gordon, Crane will have the option of TE/RB John Bowman to throw to. … Constantine Soutsos, who will play on both sides of the line, returns as a three-years starter. He will be joined by Max Leon, who also started last season as well as Jacob Dillon. … Jayden Corchado returns at running back and will get assistance from Borman and Jacob Youra. … The Giants also look to linebackers Gabe Leon, Jacob Both, Marco Volpentesta and Sam Goldfeder to be the strength of their defense. … Also watch for kicker Max Dubin who is a D-1 commit to Lehigh.

Maine East

Last season: 3-6

Coach: Shane McNally

Worth noting: McNally takes over as head coach and inherits some higher-than-normal expectations at Maine East after the Blue Demons won three games last season. That was the most wins at the school in a single season since 2012 and equaled the numbers on wins over the previous six seasons combined. … Maine East returns three offensive linemen, which could be the strength of the team. Esad Zec (6-foot-3. 315) Logan Guiterrez (6-3, 305) and Carlos Cabrales (6-0, 265) are all back while Neil Abregana (5-10, 225) and Danny Cisneros (6-3, 270) will join them. … Emil Rafidi, who is a senior, takes over at quarterback while running back could be by committee with Quadri Akinpelu, Andrew Garcia, Parker Dalby-Jones, Saul De La Rosa, Aristotle Gouskos and Baqi Salami all expected to see some playing time. The receivers are set with Juwoon Alowooja and Jermaine Wade. … Linebacker Andrew Garcia is the lone starter back on defense. He will be joined by Parker Dalby-Jones, Michael Adam and Jermaine Wade. Saul De La Rosa, Baqi Salami, Aristotle Gouskos and Alowooja make up the secondary while Rao Murukurthy (6-3, 295), Neil Abregana, Nicholas Briones and Shahan Vhora will be the defensive front.

Maine West

Last season: 8-2

Coach: George Klupchak

Worth noting: Maine West, which is the defending CSL North champion, has qualified for the playoffs the last three seasons. If the Warriors are to do it a record-setting four straight times, they will have to also be an entirely revamped team. They will also face their toughest nonconference schedule in a decade with their four opponents coming off a combined record of 26-15 with three of those teams (Wauconda, Hersey and Prospect) qualifying for the playoffs… Maine West returns just four starting positions with three players in Lucas Masek (OL/DL), Marcel Debski (OL)and Paul Douris (DB). Caden Nelson, who is a senior, will be at quarterback. Louis Avalos (RB/LB), who gained 153 yards last season in mostly a backup role, will get most of the carries this season. Nathan Abebe (WR/LB), Davion Tate (WR/DB) — who was an All-Area guard in basketball last season — and Landon Sebo (TE/LB) will be Nelson’s main targets.

Niles North

Last season: 2-7

Coach: Gary Butler

Worth noting: The Vikings are counting on a core of six returnees. Niles North has not been to the playoffs since 2016, and they will need to stay healthy with quite a few players going both ways. … Spencer Pearl (LB/ TE), Josh Regis (WR/ DB), Graem Osselin (RB/ DB) and Peter Bounas (OG/ DE) are all seniors and will be leading the way for the Vikings. Adonis Williams (QB/ DB), who is a junior, will be at quarterback again this season while Christian Vargas, who also is a junior, will be at center. Juniors Issac Stan (WR/DB), Amare Thompson (WR/ DB) and Trey Palmer (OL) will also be counted on.

Niles West

Last season: 5-5

Coach: Kyriako Anastasiadis

Worth noting: Niles West has not won a conference title in over 50 years. And with the Wolves moving to the CSL South next season, this year could be a huge opportunity to end that streak. Anastasiadis takes over as head coach after issues with coaching staff last season arose. … Niles West has 8 returning starters. They will be led offensively by three key skill spots in seniors QB Nichalos West, RB Tyran Marshall and WR Stefan Mihaila. West is a dual threat QB and will be a three-year starter. Bernard (BJ) LaVallias, who is a junior, will anchor both the offensive and defensive lines. … The linebacking corps of seniors David Khamoo and Matthew Deniega, along with junior David Cotofrea, will be the backbone of the defense. Avner Andrew will be a huge ingredient in the secondary.

Vernon Hills

Last season: 1-8

Coach: Bill Bellecomo

Worth noting: After a trio of unsuccessful years, the Cougars will be looking to run their way back to excellence this season. Vernon Hills will be leaning heavily on running back Giuseppe Urso this season. The two-time all-conference player is coming off a 1,000 yards season where he scored 11 touchdowns. … He, along with Langston Miller, will operate behind and offensive line that includes Shane Blumberg (5'11”, 200), Isaiah McGraw (6'2”, 230), Connor Brockway (6'3”, 220) and Brock Ratnow (6'0 “, 220). TE Zach Porcelius and WR Nolan Brettner will also be key elements on offense along with junior quarterback Colin McMurray, who finished last season as the starter. … Usro, who also plays linebacker, will get help defensively from linebackers Lex Sarantos, Julius Betea and freshman Cade Albrecht. Lucus Cosentino, Johathon Keats, Connor Brockway will be upfront on the defensive line while Jack Gutowski, Devin Ratajczyk, Liam Wozniak will anchor the secondary.

Five players worth watching:

Giuseppe Urso, Vernon Hills, RB/LB, Sr. – 3-year starter and excellent 2-way player

Esad Zec, Maine East, OT, Sr. – Lots of size (6-foot-3, 315) and D-III offers

Lucas Gordon, Highland Park, WR, SR. – 1,000-yard receiver last season and 4-year starter

Nichalos West, Niles West, QB, Sr. — Dual threat QB with two years experience

Louis Avalos, Maine West, RB, Sr. – Will be a huge threat for the Warriors

Five games worth seeing: Week 2: Deerfield at Highland Park. Week 5: Highland Park at Vernon Hills. Week 7: Vernon Hills at Niles West. Week 8: Maine West at Vernon Hills. Week 9: Niles West at Maine West