Counting down to 2025 kickoff: Scouting the Central Suburban League South
Deerfield
Last season: 5-5
Coach: Brandon Geuder
Worth noting: Geuder takes over for Steve Winiecki who retired after 26 seasons and 150 wins with the Warriors. Deerfield, which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary of the 1975 state title, was able to qualify for the playoffs last season. Geuder welcomes back 8 starters from that team. …Six of those starters will be on the defensive side of the ball with Alex Berry and Elgernon Williams up front, linebackers Trey Pontikes, Jack Sterzik and Evan Yoblon, and cornerback Charlie Moros. … The offense will need to rebuild with just two veterans returning. David Lusardi is the lone returning starter on the offensive line while Ethan Weiner is back at wide receiver and kicker.
Evanston
Last season: 3-6
Coach: Miles Osei
Worth noting: Osei takes over the program after two successful years at the helm at Kankakee. He takes over for Mike Burzawa who stepped down after 17 seasons. The Wildkits have not made the playoffs since 2021 and have not won a playoff game since 2003. Osei will have to find a new quarterback and running back this season in the hopes of changing that…Evanston does returns 8 starters including seniors Logan Fields (LB/TE), Towan Jackson (OL/DL), Cash Nelson (LB/DB), Micahel Pryor (ATH), Ian Sims (DL) and Dae'Shaun Williams (OL), and juniors Bell, Evyn Bell (DL) and Justin Johnson (WR/DB). … The Wildkits also added Tyler Tulloch, who transferred from Schaumburg. Tulloch, who plays OL, has verbally committed to Northern Michigan.
Glenbrook North
Last season: 2-7
Coach: Matt Purdy
Worth noting: With 10 starters back, the Spartans are looking to turn things around after a couple of consecutive 2-7 seasons. Glenbrook North last qualified for the playoffs in 2018. … The Spartans will be counting heavily on running back Trey Gottschild, who had nearly 1,000 all-purpose yards last year. James Matthew (369 receiving yards) will also be a key contributor on offense. Asher Panfil, who played receiver last year, makes the switch to quarterback and will be battling Max Wolas for the job. …Jackson Bobula, who led the team in tackles with 60 along with Sean Miles, will be playing both tight end and linebacker. Noah Terrian (WR/DB), Harper Williams (DB), Henry Hafner (LB) and Ari Tsinman (LB) return to key the defense.
Glenbrook South
Last season: 5-5
Coach: David Schoenwetter
Worth noting: The Titans have four consecutive playoff appearances under their belt. In order to get to five, Glenbrook South will have to navigate a schedule that begins with four playoff teams from last season and six in total. … Andrew Bonvechio returns at quarterback to guide the Titans, who return four players on offense. WR Parker Ward also returns along with offensive linemen Gardner Johnson (6-foot-3, 290) and Alex Limperis (6-2, 255), who started last season as a sophomore. Isaiah Beane (6-3, 250) will also be a key factor on the line. …Glenbrook South has five returnees on the defensive side. They will be led by DT Munkh Tsog (6-4, 250), who has multiple FCS offers, and LB/DB Adidum Aadum, who also has multiple offers. Vince Prikos (DB), Anthony Nottage (DB) and Hunter Johnson (DL) also return.
Maine South
Last season: 8-4
Coach: Dave Inserra
Worth noting: While most eyes will understandably be on Indiana-commit quarterback Jameson Purcell (2,600 yards, 30 TDs), the Hawks are so much more. Besides Purcell, they return 9 other players, with 7 of them on defense. …Inside linebackers Gavin Smith (56 tackles) and Jake Cantal (63 tackles) and OLB Nick Hachigan (58 tackles) and Matthew Schlenhardt (41 tackles) will key the defense. Maine South will be tough up front as DT Dean Arvanitis and David Piotrowski both return. Santino Bernabei, who has committed to Illinois State, will anchor the secondary. … Niko Kokosioulis, who rushed for 350 yards last season, will be the main cog in the running game while Finn Haugh, Logan Ide, Santino Bernabei, Rico D'Alesanndro and Keaton Vitel will be targets on the receiving end. … They will all operate behind a huge offensive line led by Derk Koziol (6-foot-2, 255), a three-year starter. Danny Podolski (6-2, 272), Henry Hughes (6-1, 225), Max Stebner (6-1, 240), Arvanitis (6-3, 260), Piotrowski (6-3, 255) and Forrest Greenhill (6-1, 245) will also be strong on offensive line. … Henry Hughes, who took every punt last year, will add placekicking to his duties.
New Trier
Last season: 2-7
Coach: Brian Doll
Worth noting: The Trevians are coming off their worst season since 1992. With their first six games against 2024 playoff opponents, New Trier has its work cut out for itself this year. …The Trevians do have 12 starters back with six on offense and six on defense. Four of those are on the offensive line led by 3-year starter Francis Karp (6-foot-4, 270). Winston Malayter (6-3 ,250), Jake Wineman (5-11, 205) and Carter Pavia (6-0, 265) will help RB Declan O'Meara. … Jackie Ryder, who is a junior and is 6-5, takes over the quarterbacking duties. He will have a plethora of receivers to throw to including Rick Miller, Alex Fairchild, Keefer Baxter and Emmett Koshkarian along with sophomores Nik Hanold and Ben Sullivan and tight ends Luke Mastros and Harry Resis.
Five players to watch:
Jameson Purcell, Maine South, QB, Jr. — Committed to Indiana
Tyler Tulloch, Evanston, OL, Sr. -Committed to Northern Michigan
Gavin Smith, Maine South, LB, Sr. — 3-year starter, multiple Pioneer League offers
Andrew Bonvechio, Glenbrook South, QB, Sr. — Has drawn interest from D-1 schools
Francis Karp, New Trier, OT, Sr. — 3-year starter drawing D-1 interest
Five games worth seeing: Week 1: Lincoln-Way East at Maine South; York at Glenbrook South. Week 3: Palatine at Maine South. Week 4: Maine South at Barrington. Week 6: Maine South at New Trier