Counting down to 2025 kickoff: Scouting the Upstate Eight Conference West Division
Bartlett
Coach: Milan Vuckovich (fourth season)
Last season’s record: 4-5 overall, 4-2 in the UEC West (third place)
Top returners: Olivier Chrapek, sr., K/P; Daniel Thorner, sr., OT/DT; Jack Rojek, sr., C/DT; Tyler Meziere, sr., CB/WR; Nicholas Carlos, sr., WR/CB; Isaac Harris, sr., RB/LB; Joey Caputo, sr., RB/WR/CB; Vince Yario, sr., QB; Jack Nicoll, sr., RB/LB; Daniel Jasso, sr., LB/RB; Ethan Ratajczyk, sr., LB/TE; Xavier DeJesus, sr., LB/RB; Nate Klein, sr., LB/WR; Carson Wagner, sr., SS/WR; Jake Marchese, jr., FS/WR.
Key newcomers: Chase Paduch, soph., OL/DL; Jerome Childs, soph., DE/TE; Anthony Lorek, jr., OL/DL; William Bowers, jr., OL/DL; Jayden Cifuentes, jr., DL/OL; Oskar Linski, jr., DL/OL; Luca Cipolla, jr., CB/WR.
Worth noting: Following three consecutive 4-5 seasons, the Hawks look to make the jump to postseason play in 2025. “We want to put our best product out on the field in all three phases of the game and compete every week,” said Vuckovich. “Our goal each and every season is to compete for the conference championship and earn a spot in the playoffs.” Bartlett returns plenty of talent, led by quarterback Yario, tailbacks Caputo and Harris, lineman Thorner, and linebackers Jasso, Klein, and Ratajczyk. “This senior class has been receiving a lot of interest from colleges across the country,” said the coach. “We’re excited to see what they can do between the lines this season.” Bartlett opens its season against a pair of DuKane Conference foes – at Glenbard North on Aug. 29, and home against Lake Park on Sept. 5. The Hawks kick off their UEC West slate against Streamwood on Sept. 19. “If we approach each week as a playoff game, we have the talent to be successful,” said the coach.
East Aurora
Coach: Nick Kukuc (eighth season)
Last season’s record: 0-9 overall, 0-6 in the UEC West (seventh place)
Top returners: Alexander Carter, jr., WR/DB; Johnathan Ortiz, Jr., sr., RB/LB; Samuel Zavala, sr., DB; Diego Vazquez, sr., RB/LB; Roman Cepeda, sr., OL; Isaiah Fulton, sr., DL; Jaime Vazquez, sr., OL; Jeremiah Jackson, jr., DL.
Key newcomers: Cristian Agustin, jr., OL; Victor Torres, jr., OL; Jairo Ceniceros, jr., WR/DB.
Worth noting: Two years ago, the Tomcats reached the state playoffs for the first time in more than 40 years (1982) with their 6-4 record. Last season, they struggled on both sides of the ball, averaging just a TD per game while allowing 44 points per contest. “We look to improve and build off of our eight returning starters,” said Kukuc. Carter, Ortiz, Jr., and Vazquez figure to play both ways, while Vazquez is a 6-3, 300-pounder anchoring the offensive line. East Aurora begins its season at Maine East on Aug. 29. The annual crosstown showdown against West Aurora will take place on Oct. 17 at West High.
Elgin
Coach: Anthony Mason (11th season)
Last season’s record: 2-7 overall, 2-4 in the UEC West (tied for fourth)
Top returners: Coreyon Johnon, sr., ATH; Jiyion Holmes, sr., CB; Jayden Edgar, jr., WR; Victor Escobar, jr., OL.
Key newcomers: Jacob Rufino, jr., QB; Dan Beckett, soph., FS; Ja’Miere Moore, soph., ATH; La’Marin Powell, soph., ATH.
Worth noting: The Maroons enter the season with youthful enthusiasm and promise coming off a 2-win campaign in 2024. “We are always looking to improve,” said Mason. “We have a good amount of young talent that will work hard to be better every day. The focus is always ‘Win the day’ no matter the outcome on Friday nights. The growth and development will be important for us moving forward.” Rufino, a 6-foot, 170-pounder, figures to get the nod at quarterback, flanked by athletes Johnson, Edgar, Holmes, Moore, and Powell. Elgin kicks off its season at Fenton on Aug. 29. The Maroons’ first 3 opponents – Fenton, Grayslake North, West Aurora – were all playoff qualifiers last season. “In the UEC, we hope compete with the big wigs in our conference, giving ourselves a chance to have a successful season,” said the coach.
Larkin
Coach: Vincent Ray (third season)
Last season’s record: 2-7 overall, 2-4 in the UEC West (tied for fourth)
Top returners: Julius Yandell, Jr., sr., QB/DB; Aden Mora, sr., WR/DB; Devin Krueger, sr., RB/LB; Osmar Munoz, sr., OL/DL; Elijah Walker, sr., RB/DB; Jose “Jojo” Miranda, sr., OL/DL; Erick Rea, sr., OL/DL; Daniel Herrmann, jr., OL/DL; Emilio Prieto, soph., OL.
Key newcomers: Brenden Villarreal, jr., WR/DB; Brian Watson, Jr., soph., QB/DB; Jameson Cunningham, soph., LB; Stevon McGill, soph., OL/DL.
Worth noting: After reaching the state playoffs in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022, the Royals have posted a combined record of 5-13 the past 2 years. Larkin returns several skilled players, including quarterback Yandell, Jr., and tailback Mora, and expects contributions from newcomers Villarreal, Watson, Jr., and Cunningham. Larkin’s nonconference schedule includes the season opener against perennial power Geneva and a road game at St. Patrick – the first of 4 consecutive away contests. “We are predicted to finish 1-8 and last place in the conference,” said Ray. “It’s up to us to make that prediction wrong.”
South Elgin
Coach: Patrik Pistorio (second season, seventh overall – 2013-2018)
Last season’s record: 6-4 overall, 5-1 in the UEC West (second place)
Top returners: Carter McDonald, jr., QB; Nikola Mastropieri, sr., OL; Larry Smith, III, sr., DB/RB; Gavin Norcross, sr., OL; Jeremiah Carrera, sr., WR/DB; Frankie Macaluso, sr., TE/LB; Darrion Thurman, sr., RB; Charles Watt, sr., OL/DL.
Key newcomers: Gavin Mueller, sr., TE; Hunter Prus, sr., OL/DL; Michael Villarreal, jr., TE; Nathan Rukel, sr., OL.
Worth noting: Do not let last year’s 6-4 record fool you – the Storm beefed up their nonconference schedule with playoff qualifiers Barrington and Batavia, while also facing a strong West Aurora squad in the newly formed UEC West. “We’re coming into the season with high expectations,” said Pistorio. “We believe we’ve laid the right foundation this offseason to take a step forward.” Offensively, Thurman is a proven playmaker who rushed for 1,025 yards and 16 TDs last season. “We expect him to be a major factor again,” said the coach. Meanwhile, Colorado recruit Mueller (6-6, 250) transferred from St. Francis. “He’s one of the top tight end prospects in the nation, and gives us a playmaker in both the run game and passing attack,” said Pistorio. McDonald returns at QB after facing several formidable playoff-caliber teams. South Elgin once again opens against Barrington on the road on Aug. 29 before hosting Batavia Sept. 5. “Those games will test us and get us ready for what lies ahead,” said the coach. “We fully expect to compete at the top of the conference. Our focus is on being consistent, physical, and prepared – if we do that, we believe we can not only be a contender in the conference but also position ourselves for a playoff run.”
Streamwood
Coach: Don Guindon (second season, seventh overall – 2015-2019)
Last season’s record: 3-6 overall, 2-4 in the UEC West (tied for fourth)
Top returners: Ja’Marcus Cole, sr., DL; LJ Robles, sr., S/RB; Justin Brown, jr., LB/RB.
Key newcomers: Callan Clinton, soph., LB/DB; Joey Scianna, jr., DL/OL; Tyler Nelson, jr., LB/TE; Jeseem Gonzalez, jr., LB/RB.
Worth noting: The Sabres look for added improvement following last year’s 3-6 campaign that included 2 wins in their last 3 games. “We’re hoping to improve on the momentum we built at the end of the season,” said Guindon. They have a believer in West Aurora coach Nate Eimer, who guided the Blackhawks to the UEC West title last season. “Streamwood is going to be a good football team this season,” said Eimer. Cole, a 5-8, 235-pounder, is a returning all-conference defensive lineman who uses his leverage to beat opposing blockers. Streamwood opens the season with a pair of returning playoff qualifiers – at Addison Trail (Aug. 29) and home against Fenton (Sept. 5). The Sabres begin UEC West action against Bartlett on Sept. 19. Guindon, in his second stint at the helm, figures the conference race will go through a pair of teams. “I expect West Aurora and South Elgin to be at the top of the conference,” said the coach.
West Aurora
Coach: Nate Eimer (15th season)
Last season’s record: 10-1 overall, 6-0 in the UEC West (first place)
Top returners: Mason Atkins, sr., QB; Kieran Duncan, sr., OL/DL; Alfie Aguilar, sr., OL/DL; Zach Toma, sr., WR; Liam Norris, sr., WR/TE; Will Gray, sr., LB; Kellen Younie, sr., LB; Jayden Garcia, sr., DB; Bryce Riley, jr., RB.
Key newcomers: Jayden Chavez, jr., OL; Bobby Frierson, jr., OL; Brodie Caragher, sr., DB; Fawaz Alhassan, sr., DL.
Worth noting: Last year, the Blackhawks enjoyed their best season since 1946, winning their first 10 games, including a 31-21 victory over Huntley in the opening round of the Class 8A state playoffs. Ball State-bound quarterback Atkins returns after completing 72 percent of his passes for 32 TDs to go with 7 rushing TDs in 2024. West Aurora graduated a load of talent, including 34 receiving TDs from Azuriah Sylvester, Reece Powers, and Terrence Smith. Atkins will look to a pair of good-sized receivers in 6-3, 180-pound Norris and 6-2, 195-pound Toma. Riley averaged 41 rushing yards per game in a reserve tailback role a year ago, while Younie averaged 4.7 tackles per game in 2024. “We believe we can get in the playoffs and have another winning season,” said Eimer, who has guided the team to 6 postseason appearances in 14 years. “We hope to contend for the conference title and expect great competition from South Elgin, Bartlett, and Streamwood,” said the coach. The Blackhawks open their season with tough nonconference home games against Hinsdale Central (Aug. 29) and Glenbard East (Sept. 5).
Five players to watch
Mason Atkins, QB, West Aurora – Ball State-bound senior threw 32 TD passes and compiled a 72 percent completion rate as a junior.
Ja’Marcus Cole, DL, Streamwood – Returning all-conference defender has a nose for the ball on the interior line.
Isaac Harris, RB/LB, Bartlett – One of 15 leading returners for the Hawks, who figures to run alongside Joey Caputo and Vince Yario in the offensive backfield.
Gavin Mueller, TE, South Elgin – Colorado commit transferred from St. Francis and ranks 12th amongst Illinois Class of 2026 recruits.
Darrion Thurman, RB, South Elgin – Earned all-conference status as a junior, rushing for 1,025 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Five games worth seeing
Week 2: Glenbard East at West Aurora; Week 4: Streamwood at Bartlett; South Elgin at West Aurora; Week 6: Larkin at Elgin; Week 7: South Elgin at Bartlett.