High Five: The top prep sports boys teams of the 2025-26 school year

When you’re in the Daily Herald coverage area, prep sports success comes with the territory. Cap tipping takes time.

Earlier this month we brought you the top boys and girls performances of the school year, and last week we listed the top girls teams of the school year.

Now, in this edition of the High Five, we keep the kudos rolling with the top prep sports boys teams of 2025-26.

5. Naperville North soccer

The Huskies entered the fall campaign seven years removed from their three-peat, during which they posted a 74-3-4 record including a 26-0 romp in 2018.

Naperville North and coach Jim Konrad returned to the summit in November with a 3-2 shootout victory over St. Laurence in the Class 3A final after the teams were tied through regulation and two overtimes.

Indiana-bound Sam Hess anchored a defense that notched 18 shutouts while Josh Pedersen finished with 30 goals.

4. Glenbard West volleyball

The Hilltoppers’ dynasty rolls on.

They won a sixth state championship while finishing in the top four for a 12th straight season under coach Christine Giunta-Mayer. Following a three-set semifinal win over Libertyville, Glenbard West beat Oak Park — again in three sets — in the final.

With sophomores sprinkled throughout the lineup, look for the dynasty to live on.

3. Hinsdale Central swimming and diving

Another dynasty, this one in the pool. Behind the vaunted Vatev brothers, Matthew and Luke, the Red Devils claimed a fourth straight state title and 22nd overall.

The Vatevs were part of five championship events including the 200- and 400-yard freestyle relay teams with Teddy Chase and Brandon Suliga.

2. Montini and St. Francis football

In what’s become a common theme the last few weeks, we’re cheating. But we simply can’t separate the area’s two football state champions from November.

Montini won their second straight title and eighth overall with a 47-33 win over Rochester in Class 4A. St. Francis earned its second title after beating Providence 39-35 in 5A.

Both quarterbacks were spectacular in the title games. Montini’s Israel Abrams, committed to Miami, threw for 418 yards and 4 touchdowns, and rushed for a fifth score. The Spartans’ Brock Phillip accounted for all six of his team’s touchdowns, including a 1-yard run with 11 seconds left to rally his team to victory.

1. Libertyville baseball

Because of the depth required, especially on the mound, baseball might be the toughest IHSA state title to win. Libertyville just did it twice in a row.

The Wildcats beat Maine South 7-6 in eight innings, rallying with 3 runs in the top of the sixth, in the 4A final after beating Mt. Carmel in the semifinals.

How good was Libertyville? Daily Herald All-Area Honorary Captain Chase Lockwood went 12-1 this season but didn’t even pitch in the semifinals or final because he won the supersectional game a few days earlier.

Tennessee-bound junior Brady Buenik, Kaden Butt, Aksel McKnight and Madden Cotts got the job done on the mound.