Counting down to 2025 kickoff: Scouting the Upstate Eight Conference East Division
Elmwood Park
Coach: Terrance Terry (third season)
Last season’s record: 0-9 overall, 0-6 in the UEC East (seventh place)
Top returners: Matthew Fritz, sr., QB; Jacob Solis, jr., RB; Danny Dohoney, sr., WR; Josh Jetters, jr., WR; Anthony Chillis, jr., DB; Tim Chillis, sr., DB; David Swanek, sr., OL; Trinidad Lopez, sr., OL; Danny Deleon, jr., OL.
Key newcomers: Josh Manuel, jr., WR; Bryan Cardenas, sr., LB; Adrian Stankiewicz, jr., DB/K; Angel Martir, soph., WR; Nikola Striegel, soph., OL; Alex Borisionok, sr., DL; Giovanni Renteria, soph., LB; Xavier Turcios, soph., LB; Joseph Jarosz, soph., OL.
Worth noting: Offensively, the Tigers nearly averaged 20 points per game last season, and return quarterback Fritz. On the defensive side of the ball, Elmwood Park looks to improve after giving up an average of 54 points per game in 2024. The Tigers allowed more than 40 points in all 9 games, including six 50-point contests last season. After winning just 5 of 36 games over a 5-year span, Elmwood Park will try to snap a 9-game losing streak in its season opener at Woodstock North on Aug. 29.
Fenton
Coach: Mark Farrell (sixth season)
Last season’s record: 6-4 overall, 3-3 in the UEC East (fourth place)
Top returners: Omar Diaz, sr., RB/CB; Josh Zuniga, sr., OL/DL; Gavin Stewart, sr., OL/DL; Bobby Solideo, sr., OL/DL; Connor Cheney, sr., OL/LB; Ivan Medrano, sr., QB/K; Ivan Macedo-Luna, jr., RB/FS.
Key newcomers: Aaron Corral, soph., OL/DL; Jake Dzierzanowski, jr., OL/DL; Logan Haywood, jr., TE/DE; Ari Kelley, jr., TE/DL.
Worth noting: A year ago, the Bison made the state playoffs for the first time since 2014, winning 6 games before dropping their first-round Class 6A postseason contest to Wauconda. Highlights of the season included a 28-27 Week 8 win over Ridgewood and a 21-14 victory over Riverside-Brookfield. “We are trying to build on last year’s season on both levels,” said Farrell. “We know we are not going to sneak up on anyone this year, so the players have been working hard to prepare for this season.” Fenton returns a pair of all-conference players in tailback Diaz and offensive lineman Zuniga. Fenton begins its season at home against Elgin on Aug. 29. “I would like our team to believe in themselves — that they can compete with the big dogs in the conference,” said the coach.
Glenbard East
Coach: John Walters (15th season)
Last season’s record: 10-2 overall, 6-0 in the UEC East (first place)
Top returners: Elias Morales, sr., OL; Michael Nee, sr., QB; Orlando Hoye, sr., LB; Luke Freese, sr., WR; Sam Walton, sr., DE; Muhammed Musleh, sr., WR; Kedrick Dennis, sr., RB; Donavan Cobbs, sr., LB/S; Joe Wyatt, sr., OT.
Key newcomers: Montii Perry, jr., S; Keenan House, sr., S; Donavan Brooks, sr., DT.
Worth noting: The Rams return one of the top quarterbacks in the area in 6-foot-3, 175-pound Nee, who threw 24 touchdown passes while compiling a 136.9 passer rating and completing 70% of his passes last season for the UEC East champions. Other top returners include Dennis (8 rushing TDs), Freese (32 yards per game receiving), Walton (2 sacks), and Musleh (3 receiving TDs). Walters also expects big contributions from linebacker Hoye and safety Perry this season. Glenbard East aims for its seventh straight postseason appearance in 2025. “We are returning four defensive starters and six offensive starters, including four all-conference players,” said Walters. “The strength of our team will lie offensively with our skilled positions.” The Rams open their season at home against Willowbrook on Aug. 29, prior to their crossover clash with defending UEC West champion West Aurora on Sept. 5.
Glenbard South
Coach: Ryan Crissey (11th season)
Last season’s record: 6-4 overall, 4-2 in the UEC East (tied for second)
Top returners: Josh Schwendeman, sr., OL; Yann Tchapda, sr., OL; JJ Washington, sr., OL; Henry Riley, sr., TE; Jonny Baldauf, sr., RB/WR; Anthony Baldauf, soph., WR; Elijah Donahue, soph., RB; Isaiah Gray, sr., WR/DB; Ari Iaonnou, sr., LB; Cecil Tousant, sr., DL; Troy Oleksak, sr., LB; Anthony Nettuno-Fessler, sr., LB/DE.
Key newcomers: Mason Fort, soph., QB; Ambrose Davis, sr., OL; Jonathan Davis, sr., DB; Alan Pikul, soph., DL; Micah Foster, jr., DL.
Worth noting: When your team has qualified for the postseason 13 consecutive seasons, expectations always remain high. Such is the case at Glenbard South, where Crissey has guided the Raiders to 9 straight playoff berths during his tenure (4-2 mark in COVID-shortened 2020 campaign). “The goal is to win six games in conference and a conference championship,” said Crissey. “Qualifying for the playoffs is always an expectation.” This year, the Raiders return plenty of talent, headed by tight end Riley, tailback/receiver Jonny Baldauf, receiver Isaiah Gray, tailback Donahue, and linebackers Iaonnou and Oleksak. Experienced linemen Schwendeman (6-6, 250), Tchapda (5-11, 220), and Washington (6-0, 255) figure to be interior mainstays. Glenbard South kicks off its season at home against 8A power Wheaton Warrenville South on Aug. 29, and visits defending UEC East champion Glenbard East in Week 8. “The goal is to be more balanced on offense and play a physical brand of football on both sides of the ball,” said Crissey.
Ridgewood
Coach: Vincent Fanelli (fourth season)
Last season’s record: 4-5 overall, 2-4 in the UEC East (tied for fifth)
Top returners: Angelo Vitale, jr., QB; Nicco Camillo, sr., RB; Alex Hrabchak, sr., WR; Marko Jonic, sr., LB; Michael Cwieczkowski, sr., LB/DE; Frankie Camillo, sr., LB/CB; Peter Rosales, sr., DB; Kobe Lewis, jr., LB; Tommy Burkevic, jr., OL/DL; Jayden Mazariegos, sr., OL.
Key newcomers: Dominic Berardi, jr., WR; Damian Daskalakis, jr., WR; Josh Karkoska, jr., DB.
Worth noting: Following a 4-5 season, the Rebels return an experienced core on both sides of the ball, led by quarterback Vitale, who threw for more than 1,500 yards and 19 total touchdowns a year ago despite missing 2 games. Nicco Camillo is a physical, downhill runner who tallied 7 TDs last season, while Hrabchak is a reliable target who posted 400 receiving yards and 3 TDs in 2024. Defensively, Jonic is a vocal leader and sure tackler who led the team with 86 tackles last season. “We expect to take the next step as a program and push for a playoff berth,” said Fanelli. “Our focus is on disciplined, physical football, winning the turnover battle and controlling the line of scrimmage. Senior leadership combined with emerging underclassmen gives us the depth to compete every week.” Fanelli feels his team can be in the hunt for the conference title. “We feel we can match up well with any team in the league when we execute and stay healthy,” said the coach.
Riverside-Brookfield
Coach: Sam Styler (fourth season)
Last season’s record: 4-5 overall, 2-4 in the UEC East (tied for fifth)
Top returners: Warren Mason, sr., DB/WR; Damian Nieves, sr., DL/OL; Xavier Mrozik-DeJesus, sr., WR; Jayden Karas, sr., WR; Jacob Retana, sr., RB; Joey Campagna, sr., OL; Joaquin Jara, jr., OL; Nico Caputo, jr., WR; Oscar Aguirre, sr., DB; Giancarlo Garcia, jr., QB; Andrew Olivares, jr., DL; John Evans, Jr., sr., DB.
Key newcomers: Anthony Lembcke, jr., LB; Michael Kallas, sr., DB; Charlie Jicha, soph., OL; Ben Biskupic, sr., DL; Braeden Novak, jr., QB.
Worth noting: After qualifying for the postseason 4 straight years, the Bulldogs fell a game shy of the playoffs with a 4-5 mark a year ago. “The Upstate Eight is a great conference with tough competition,” said Styler. “Last year was our first in the conference, and we found out quickly that you need to bring your best game every week.” R-B expects to compete on a weekly basis. “We are fortunate a lot of starters return from last year,” said the coach. “They have worked extremely hard all off-season to get this program back on track after last year. We are looking forward to the competition within the conference, hoping to prove ourselves as one of the top programs in the Upstate Eight.”
West Chicago
Coach: Adam Chavez (fourth season)
Last season’s record: 6-4 overall, 4-2 in the UEC East (tied for second)
Top returners: Carter Naranjo, sr., QB; Ean Arizmendi, sr., OL; Roman Zolota, sr., LB; Luis Rubio, sr., OL; David Weber, sr., LB; Jayden Rosario, sr., DE.
Key newcomers: Adriano Rivera, sr., B-back; Liam Ziberski, jr., wing; Daniel Papp, sr., DB; Nery Banuelos, sr., wing.
Worth noting: The Wildcats defied the odds last season, reaching the state playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time in school history. “We have to continue to build on the past two years,” said Chavez. West Chicago will have to replace a pair of senior leaders in RB Robert Lee and LB/RB Tommy Doyle. However, Naranjo returns for his third season as the starting quarterback, alongside offensive linemen Arizmendi and Rubio. Zolota, Weber, and Rosario figure to anchor the defense. “We will be senior heavy this year with players who will have four years in our offensive scheme and three years in our defensive scheme,” said the coach. The one-day-at-a-time approach suits Chavez. “We will look to go 1-0 every week,” he said. “Our only focus is to prepare ourselves to go 1-0 each week. We will not look past any opponent.”
Five players to watch:
Jonny Baldauf, RB/WR, Glenbard South — Versatile veteran possesses game-breaking speed in the offensive backfield and is a threat on special teams.
Omar Diaz, RB/DB, Fenton — Earned all-conference honors as a junior while helping lead the Bison to their first playoff berth since 2014 last season.
Carter Naranjo, QB, West Chicago — Helped lead Wildcats to back-to-back playoff berths last season for the first time in school history.
Michael Nee, QB, Glenbard East — Talented 2-sport athlete looks to improve upon last year’s 24 TD passes for the defending UEC East champions.
Angelo Vitale, QB, Ridgewood — Threw for 1,500-plus yards and 19 total TDs in 2024 despite missing 2 games due to injury.
Five can’t-miss matchups:
Week 1: Wheaton Warrenville South at Glenbard South; Week 2: Glenbard East at West Aurora; Week 3: Riverside-Brookfield at Ridgewood; Week 8: Glenbard South at Glenbard East; Week 9: West Chicago at Fenton.