High school football 2026: Scouting the MSL East
Buffalo Grove
Coach: Jeff Vlk
Last year: 3-6, 1-4 (fifth in MSL East)
Top returning players: Matthew Kaput (6-2, 225, sr., RB/LB); Landon Duram 6-2, 190, sr. WR); Matthew Hong (5-10, 175, sr., WR); Jaleel Marshall (6-1, 170, sr.; WR); Drew Carrison (6-0, 220, sr. OL/DL).; Owen Erickson (6-1, 230, sr., OL/DL)
Key newcomers: Nathan Raef (6-1, 170, jr., QB); Dom Peterson (6-3, 200, so., QB); Alex Glenn (6-0, 180, so. WR); Brandon Tejada (5-11, 270, jr. OL)
Outlook: The Bison are looking for a reversal of fortunes this season. And with growing numbers in the program coupled with 15 starting positions back, Buffalo Grove has the feel of growing confidence. …The key will be a healthy Kaput, who has an offer from Western Illinois. The senior played into just the fifth game last year before going down with a season-ending injury. During his healthy period, Kaput had 14 touchdowns, 583 rushing yards and 167 receiving yards. He also had 60 tackles and two sacks on defense. … The Bison also return the majority of their receiving corps. Hong, who led the team with 601 yards and four touchdowns, along with Marshall, who had 256 yards and a touchdown, and Duram, who had a 120 receiving yards, should make it difficult on opposing defenses. Nico Krneta will also start. …The biggest question for Buffalo Grove will be who plays at quarterback. Raef, who is a junior, and Peterson, who is a sophomore, are currently locked in a battle for the starting spot. … Carrison will slide over from tackle to center to help his young quarterbacks while Erickson also returns. They will be joined by Tejada along with Jordan Alcantar (6-1, 215) and Matt Sander (6-1, 200). Isaac Cazarez will play H-back. … Carrison, Will Citron and Erickson will comprise most of the defensive line. Kaput and David Graham will be at linebacker while Preston Herda, Hong, Rich Mele, Glenn and Isaac Helkowski will make up the secondary.
Coach’s quote: “We will have a lot of guys going both ways but should have enough depth to spell them,” Vlk said. “We will be a senior dominated team, and our schedule is favorable for us. We should be an above .500 playoff team.”
Hersey
Coach: Tom Nelson
Last year: 9-3, 5-0, (first in MSL East)
Top returning players: Jake Nawrot (6-4, 210, sr., QB); Josh Riggs (6-1, 175, sr., WR/DB); Ben Zebron (6-3, 230, sr., OL); Austin Shultz (5-11, 185, sr., WR); Zel Walton (5-8, 165, sr., WR/DB); Ryne Sather (6-2, 225, sr., DL); Nick Jelaca, 6-1, 185, sr., LB); Ryan Haefke, 6-1, 190, sr., LB); Johnny Lamonica (6-2, 210, jr., DL); Tilman Mulder (6-1, 210, sr., DL); Spiro Zarafontis (6-0, 205, sr., DL); Justin Carillo (6-1, 235, sr., DL)
Key newcomers: Jaxon Saint Paul (6-3, 181, jr. WR); AJ Korba (6-1, 185, jr. DB/RB/WR); Jackson Travis (6-0, 205, jr., RB/LB); Dom Wentink (5-10,170, jr. WR/DB); Charlie Lamonica (6-4, 235, fr., OL); Jack Leonard (6-1, 190, sr., WR/DB)
Outlook: The Huskies are coming off their deepest run in the playoffs since 1987 when they won the Class 6A title. And with Kentucky-commit Nawrot returning at quarterback, Hersey feels they can surpass last year. … Nawrot is coming off a season where he threw for 3,078 yards and 41 touchdowns. Both are school records. He also ran for 124 yards and 8 touchdowns. …Nawrot has a trio of wide receivers returning in Riggs, Shultz and Walton. Saint Paul already has a pair of Division I offers while Wentink will also be a key factor. Tight ends Kye Parker Peterson and Ryne Sather will also help. … Travis and Korba will be at running back and have huge shoes to fill after two-year starter Brandon Jenkins graduated. …Zebron will anchor the offensive line. He is the lone returning starter with a group that includes Johnny Lamonica, Charlie Lamonica, Carillo, Zarafonitis, Tillman Mulder (6-1, 210), Taetum Mulder (6-0, 240) and Sebastian Mitura (5-5, 235) battling for the other four spots. …While most of the attention will rightfully be on Nawrot, the Hersey defense could make a huge splash. The Huskies will return 9 starters on that side of the ball. …Sather, Johnny Lamonica, Mulder, Zarafontis, and Carillo are back on the defensive front. Jelaca returns at linebacker and will be alongside Korba and Ryan Haefke. Walton and Riggs will return in the defensive backfield and be joined by Wentink, Parker Flaherty and Leonard.
Coach’s quote: “Jake (Nawrot) is loved and adored by his teammates,” Nelson said. “He has incredible interpersonal skills, leadership abilities, and desire to be the absolute best. His mental capacity to play the QB position is rare for a 17-year-old. We are also excited about the experience we have coming back on defense. Almost all of our projected starters played meaningful snaps last year. We expect them to play fast, physical, and disciplined.”
Elk Grove
Coach: Daniel O’Donnell
Last year: 3-6, 2-3 (fourth in MSL East)
Top returning players: Jordan Bruford (5-10, 150, sr., RB/LB); Matt DiMaria (6-0, 150, sr., WR); Griffin Ewen (6-1, 205, sr., LB/TE); Ryan Gomez (5-8, 155, sr., WR); Danniell Hallilovic (5-8, 145, sr., DB); Luke Maher (6-0, 160, sr., QB); Colin Redmon (5-10, 145, sr., WR); Dominik Wesolowski (6-0, 225, sr., DE); Eli Woehler (5-11, 160, sr., DB/WR ); Erik Sandoval (5-9, 170, jr., RB); Quinn Folan (6-2, 210, jr., OL); Everett Melody (6-4, 210, jr., DE); Ethan Wetzel (5-10, 160, sr., DB); Bart Mazur (5-9, 145, sr., K).;Jacob Bruford (5-10, 150, jr., DB/WR)
Key newcomers: Kevin Balanzar (5-9, 205, jr., DL); Mikolaj Fryc (5-11, 200, sr., LB); Joey Hernandez (5-11, 247, sr., DL); Jan Kuc (6-2, 280, sr., DL); Timmy Whalen 5-10, 165, sr., LB); Johann Ceja (5-11, jr., 230, OL); Adrian Medina (5-10, jr., 245, OL), Connor Marmitt (5-9, jr., 185, OL); Ben Logsdon (6-0, 190, jr., OL); Anthony Christensen (5-11, 165, jr., LB/TE); Oscar Martinez (5-7, 145, jr., DB/WR)
Outlook: The Grenadiers have a nice blend of seniors and juniors. They have seven starters returning as Elk Grove looks to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022. … The Grens will have a strong backfield returning in Maher at quarterback and Jordan Buford at running back. The duo helped Elk Grove win two of its final three games last season. …DiMaria is back at wide receiver, and the 6-footer should be a solid target along with 6-1 tight end Ewen. Athanasios Tromboukis, Jerrmiah Wright and Redmon will also be threats on the receiving end. ..The offensive line will be all juniors with Folan the only returning starter. He will get plenty of help from Ceja, Medina, Marmitt and Logsdon. …The defense will be much improved from last season. It will be led by a solid linebacking corps of Ewen, Bruford and Logsdon. …The secondary should also be a strength with Woehler and Jacob Bruford to help anchor it. Hallilovic, Isaiah Albazi and Martinez will also be factors. …Melody returns to the defensive line. He will get help from Hernandez, Kuc and Balanzar along with Wesolowski, who saw some action last season.
Coach’s quote: “We are excited for the opportunities this upcoming season brings,” O’Donnell said. “Our expectation is to have a competitive team that plays with toughness, grit, and relentless effort every time we step on the field. Our goal is to compete at a high level, represent our program with pride, and make our community proud.”
Prospect
Coach: Dan DeBoeuf
Last year: 7-3, 4-1 (second in MSL East)
Top returning players: Jackson Cacini (6-1, 200, sr., QB); Mathew Donnelly (5-10, 200, sr., RB); Gordy Kemp (6-3, 215, sr., WR); Danny Simon (6-5, 255, sr., OL); Owen Dewey (6-1, 220, sr., OL); Liam McDonnell (6-0, 255, jr., OL); Carlo Siviero (5-10, 200, sr., K)
Key newcomers: Caden Moran (6-170, sr., DB); Manny Sylvestre (6-1, 235, jr., DL); Collin Fouch (5-10, sr., DL); Collin Murrin (6-0, 195, sr., LB); Ryland Contreras (6-0, 195, sr., LB)
Outlook: The Knights qualified for the playoffs for the seventh consecutive playoff season before bowing out in the first round to Downers Grove North. …Prospect had its offense rolling in high gear last season with the Knights averaging 45 points per game. The good news is they have their two top offensive players returning in Cacini and Donnelly. …Cacini had four D-I offers and recently committed to Eastern Illinois. He completed 72% of his passes last year for 2,142 yards while throwing 27 touchdowns. He also had 178 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. …Donnelly, who has an offer from Yale, rushed for 1,077 yards and 14 touchdowns while catching a pair of scores. …Prospect returns three starters to the offensive line in Simon, Dewey and McDonnell. Beniah Johanson (6-4, 300), who is a senior, along with juniors Tyler Okolaita (6-3, 255) and Kevin Meyer (6-1, 245) also figure to be in the mix. … Kemp is the lone returning starting wide receiver. But at 6-foot-3, he can be a coverage nightmare. He will be joined by senior Michael Mitchell and juniors Henry Kozial and Matthew Collins. …The defense, which surrendered 22 points per game last season, returns 5 starters. …Fouch, who is a defensive lineman, along with linebackers Murrin, Contreras and Moran, will key the defense. Juniors Manny Sylvestre (DL), Julian Kranc (LB) along with defensive backs Roy Flanders, Ben Murray and sophomore Kaden Jimmerson will also start…. Siviero, who had a solid season last year, returns to handle the kicking duties.
Coach’s quote: “We have a good collection of returning talent with a good mix of talented newcomers,” DeBoeuf said. “We are looking to compete for the conference championship and take the next step in the postseason.”
Rolling Meadows
Coach: Devonte Amos
Last year: 7-4, 3-2 (third in MSL East)
Top returning players: Luke Harvey (6-0, 190, sr., RB/LB); Aiden Gallucci (6-2, 200, sr., TE/LB); Noah Brickman (5-8, 220, sr., OL/DL); Angel De La Cruz (6-1, 300, jr., OL/DL); Micheal Calderon (6-4, 295, jr., OL/DL); Frederick Hamilton (6-0, 290, sr., OL/DL)
Key newcomers: Gavin Prickett (5-11, 170, jr., QB); Austin Lindsey (6-0, 175, sr., QB); Will Cicconne (5-10, 175, sr., LB/TE); Dom Polenzani (5-10, 160, sr., WR/DB); Brady Connors (5-10, 150, sr., WR/DB); JT Cummings (6-2, 180, jr., WR/DB); Vinny Geegan (5-11, 195, sr., WR/DB); Marcus Steinstra (6-0, 165, sr., WR/DB); Nico Savino (5-8, 160, sr., WR/DB); Damien Ortega (5-7, 150, sr., WR/DB); Charles Hedke (5-9, 185, sr., OL/DL); Ryder Smialowicz (5-9, 175, so., RB/LB); Gianni Scaletta (6-1, 165, sr., LB/WR)
Outlook: In his first year as head coach, Amos led Meadows to its best season since 2019. The Mustangs advanced to the playoffs for the second year in a row and beat Riverside-Brookfield in the opening round before losing to eventual 6A state champion Fenwick. …The Mustangs will lean heavily on Harvey, who shared time at running back last year, but will be the main focus this season. Smialowicz should also see some action there. ...They will operate behind a big and veteran offensive line of Brickman, De La Cruz, Calderon, Hamilton and Hedke. Galucci at tight end will also be a key figure in blocking as well as pass receiving. …There is a still a battle at quarterback between Prickett and Lindsey. Neither saw much action last season thanks to the solid play of Joe Brigham. …The Mustangs will have quite a few players going both ways. Brickman, De La Cruz, Calderon and Hamilton will be upfront on the defensive line. Gallucci will be a key factor at linebacker along with Harvey. Polenzani, Connors, Cummings, Geegan, Steinstra, Savino and Ortega will all be working in the secondary.
Coach’s quote: “We have many new players filling some new roles,” Amos said. “This group seems hungry and fired up to fill these roles. This team has come a long way this summer and we are excited to see how they respond this year. “
Wheeling
Last year: 1-8, 0-5 (sixth in MSL East)
Coach: Ryan Gronwick
Top returning players: Evan Watanuki (5-10, 205, sr., RB/LB); Jadiel Lorenzo (5-10, 225, sr., OL/DL); Mark Zamora (5-10, 230, jr., OL/DL); Anthony Alvarado (5-10, 150, jr., QB/WR/DB); Bennett Rasar (5-10, 165, jr., QB/WR/LB)
Key newcomers: Rahmeer Robinson-Williams (6-2, 220, sr., OL/DL); Brayan Salgado, 5-10, 160, sr., WR/DB); Jonathan Peak (5-8, 185, jr., RB/LB, 5'8); Joshua LeBlanc (6-1, 160, jr. WR/DB); Leo Cervantes (6-0, 200, so., OL/DL)
Outlook: The Wildcats are looking to turn things around after a difficult season a year ago. …Wheeling will be leaning heavily on five returning starters. Watanuki will give the Wildcats an opportunity to run the ball effectively. Peak should also see some action there. …Alvarado, who played wide receiver last year, will start at quarterback. He will have a wide receiver rotation of Rasar, Alex Mitroi, Brayan Salgado, Arthur Padilla and Gavin Salefski to throw to. …The offensive line has two key returnees in Lorenzo and Zamora. They will be joined by Cervantes along with a mix of Robinson, Diego Mendoza (6-3, 250), Noah Becerra (6-0, 235) and Dimitri Demos (6-1, 190). …Wheeling will try to platoon as much as possible on defense. But the Wildcats will still have some players going both ways. …Watanuki will anchor the defense at linebacker. Peak and Angel Duran will join him. The defensive line will try to stay fresh with a rotation of Robinson, Zamora, Lorenzo, Demos, Campos, Cervantes and Jason Homme. … LeBlanc, Mitroi and Salgado will start in the secondary. Rasar, Anthony Alvarado, Xavier Garcia and Padilla will also be in the mix.
Coach’s quote: “We are very young and inexperienced,”, Gronwick said. “But I expect improvement on both sides of the ball.”