High school football 2026: Scouting the MSL West
Barrington
Last year: 10-2, 5-0 (First in MSL West)
Coach: Joe Sanchez
Top returning players: Lamar Osterhues (5-7, 170, Jr., RB); Jack Kavanagh (6-3, 305, sr., OL); Malcom George (5-10, 240, sr., OL/DL); Vince Costa (5-9, 160, sr., WR); Jackson Harris (6-1, 180, sr., TE); Kane Switski (6-5, 225, sr., DL); Cru Lucier (6-1, 215, sr., DL); Duke Matiyow (6-3, 175, sr., DB); Jonathan Steiner (5-11, 180, sr. DB); Max Wrzeszcz (5-10, 160, sr., DB)
Key newcomers: Crew Uebelhor (6-1, 160, sr., QB); Jack Hills (6-2, 195, jr., P/K)
Outlook: Barrington and Sanchez are coming off their 13th consecutive winning season. That included a MSL West title and a quarterfinal run in the playoffs. …With 10 starters returning, Barrington will be eyeing another MSL West title and another long jaunt in the playoffs this season. The Broncos will look to be off and running behind Osterhues, who will be a huge part of the offense. Promoted near the end of his freshman year, Osterhues, who is a junior, rushed for 1,153 yards on 168 carries and scored 20 touchdowns last year. … He will be running behind an offensive love comprised of four seniors in Kavanagh and George along with Andrew Haley (6-1, 260) and Finn Edstrom (6-2, 280). Sophomores Francisco Garcia (6-2, 295) and Jack Van Black (6-2, 220) will also be in the mix. …Costa will be a key returnee at wide receiver where he had 11 catches for 253 yards and four touchdowns last season. Jackson, who started at tight end last year, also returns. They will be joined by junior Anthony Ermilio and seniors Michael Fleck and Jacob Rojas. … Uebelhor, who took only a few snaps last season as a junior, will be the starting quarterback. Despite the lack of experience, Barrington quarterbacks have always flourished, so expect the senior to be more than ready. …The defense should be ready as well led by recent Central Michigan commit Switski, who is a huge factor on the edge. Lucier also returns on the defensive line along with Jacob Patno (6-1, 230) and Colin Arnold (6-2, 245). …The secondary should also be very strong with Matiyow, Steiner and Wrzeszcz back. Quinn Uhryniak and Bryce Thorsen will also see lots of action. The linebacking corps will all be new: seniors in Donovan Bjerregaard-Dionne, Nic Felfle and Owen Nichols.
Coach’s quote: “We are very lucky to have Lamar (Osterhues) back,” Sanchez said. “He is certainly a talented individual. He and his teammates have worked very hard this off-season, and we are excited to see what they can accomplish this season.”
Conant
Last year: 3-6, 1-4 (Fifth in MSL West)
Coach: Anthony Donatucci
Top returning players: Ethan Bott (5-11, 180, jr. RB/DB); Bryce Bowman (6-0, 190, sr. FB/LB); Anthony Burns (5-8, 150, sr., RB/DB); Joshua Choe (5-10, 225, jr., OL/DL); Ivan Haralanov, 5-10, 170, sr., RB/OLB); Tyler Marchese (6-2, 195, sr. QB); Magatte Ndir (6-5, 175, sr., WR); Nicolas Portilla Palos (6-4, 270, sr., OL/DL); Jackson Spizziri (6-0, 200, sr., FB/LB); Jaidan Thorney (6-4, 220, sr., TE/DL); Tarik Yurtsever (6-0, 190, sr., OL/LB)
Key newcomers: Parker Baran (6-0, 195, sr., OL/LB); Myles Harris (6-1, 290, Jr., OL/DL); Gabriel Kawalec (5-10, 175, jr., RB/LB); Aiadan Viau (5-11, 220, sr., OL); Daniel Woodnorth (5-10, 160, jr., RB/DB)
Outlook: A change in offense meant a change in direction for Conant last season. The Cougars returned to the Wing T and won three games after going winless in 2024. …The Cougars return 11 starters. But many will be playing both sides of the ball. They do bring back two key cogs in their backfield in quarterback Tyler Marchese and RB Jackson Spizzirri. ...Marchese is the only returning quarterback in the MSL West this season. The senior operated the Wing T quite well, rushing for 186 yards on just 18 carries for a 10.3 average with a pair of touchdowns. Spizzirri, who recently committed to Bowdoin College is Maine, rushed for 603 yards and 6 touchdowns. Burns also returns at running back while Haralanov will also be at running back…That backfield will operate behind an offensive line that returns two starters. Portilla Palos along with Choe will anchor the unit, joined by Baran, Viau, Harris and Taisei Lech. Senior TE Thorney and WR Ndir also return as starters. …The Cougars will have at least seven players slotted to swing over to the defensive side. Portilla Palos, Choe and Thorney will start on the defensive line. Baran, Haralanov and Ndir will be at linebacker along with Bott. Burns will be in the secondary along with Gabriel Kawalec.
Coach’s quote: “Our seniors have been waiting for the opportunity to lead this program, and they have embraced that responsibility,” Donatucci said. “They learned a great deal from last year's senior class, and we return a number of players with valuable varsity experience. We believe this group has the leadership and experience to compete every Friday night.”
Fremd
Last year: 11-2, 4-1 (Second in MSL West)
Coach: Lou Sponsel
Top returning players: Jayden Faulkner (5-9, 200, sr., RB); Carter MacDonald (6-3, 185, sr., WR); Ben Riddle (6-0, 175, sr., WR); Joe Pulkrabek (6-0, 245, sr., OL); Tom O’Brien (6-0, 205, sr., LB); Kevin Miller (6-0, 225, sr., DL); Michael Murray (5-9, 155, sr., DB); Joe Gump (5-9, 160, sr., DB); Zach Tofilon (6-1, 175, jr., DB)
Key newcomers: Will Clark (6-0, 165, jr., QB); Raizo Ruiz (5-11, 170, so., RB); Josh Slupik (6-3, 270, so., OL); Liam Tyrrell (6-3, 225, so., DE); George Kalkounos (6-3, 225, sr., DE)
Outlook: The Vikings will find out what life will be like without two-time Daily Herald Cook County All-Area captain Johnny O’Brien, who is now at Northwestern. Fremd is coming off the deepest playoff run in school history, losing to eventual 8A state champion Mt. Carmel in the state semifinals. ...Clark will be stepping into the role as quarterback. He played a full game last season against Barrington when O’Brien was injured and directed a touchdown drive. …Fremd will have four starters back on offense, which will more balanced this season. … Fremd will lean heavily on Faulkner, who rushed for 594 yards and 11 touchdowns along with 271 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Ruiz should also flourish this season. …McDonald, who had 41 catches for 429 yards and three touchdowns, along with Riddle, who had 48 catches for 756 yards and 11 touchdowns are back at wide receiver. They will be joined by MJ Castelloni, Dom Sponsel, Warren Poole and tight end Will Votruba. …The offensive line is massive again, averaging 259 pounds. Joe Pulkrabek is the lone returning starter, joined by Slupik, Hakeem Coleman (5-11, 255), Kyro Kamel (6-2, 280) and Jameson Phillips (6-1 245). … Tom O’Brien leads five starters back on defense. He is a three-year starter with 205 career tackles, 146 last season. He will be joined at linebacker by Owen Anderson, Stellios Panayi and Nehemiah Turner. …The defensive front is a veteran group with three starters back with good size in Kalkounos, Miller, Michael Perez (6-0, 245) and Tyrrell. … Murray, Gump and Tofilon return to anchor the secondary which also includes Jamal Nur and Kale Peterson.
Coach’s quote: “We should be very competitive,” Sponsel said. “It will take us a few Friday nights to settle adapt to our new personnel. Overall, our systems have not changed, how we get to things has changed without Johnny O’Brien. Our defense has a lot of key guys with starting and playoff experience. I expect us to be at the top of our conference and be competitive in the 8A field.”
Hoffman Estates
Last year: 6-4, 2-3 (Fourth in MSL West)
Coach: Tim Heyse
Top returning players: TJ Bond (6-1, 185, jr., WR/DB); Isiah Luellen (6-4, 305, sr., OL); Connor Manley (6-0, 200, sr., OL); Stoyan Hristov (6-0, 195, sr., OL); Ethan Barnes (6-4, 250, sr., OL); Jerrion Glover (6-1, 250, sr., OL); Zakaria Sbai (6-2, 245, sr., OL); Bryson Baldwin (5-10, 155, sr., DB); Josh Classen (5-9, 175, sr., LB); Riley Lennert (5-10, 165, jr. LB/RB); Mason Walker (6-0, 190, jr., LB); Marcus Gross (5-9, 150, sr., LB)
Key newcomers: Kenny Joseph (5-8, 145, sr., WR); Braylin Scales (5-9, 160, sr., RB); Shion Dailey (5-10, 155, jr., QB); Willie Baldwin (5-8, 180, sr., LB); Kasper Janicki (5-9, 155, sr., WR); Chase Williams (5-9, 155, jr., DB); Andre Morris (6-0, 155, sr., DB); Calvin Collins (6-2, 180, so., DL); Damir Duharkic (6-3, 180, so., DL)
Outlook: For many a season, Hoffman has relied heavily on skill players. Meanwhile the line play, especially on the offensive side, has struggled due to lack of size and experience. Not this season. The Hawks return an offensive line with 62 career varsity starts. …Luellen leads the team with 21 starts. Conner Manley (5-10, 200) and Stoyan Hristov are both senior guards and played 10 games last season. Barnes played 3 games last season and is returning from a broken fibula he suffered in Week 3. Glover started four games before breaking an ankle and Sbai started three games. … Scales will be the starter at running back and could be dangerous behind that offensive line. Daley will be given the keys to drive the offense at quarterback. … Daley will have TJ Bond, who was the second leading receiver two seasons ago, as the only returning starting skilled player. Bond caught 30 passes for 564 yards and 6 touchdowns last season. Janicki, Joseph and McClain will also be at wide receiver. Walker and Classen will be at tight end. …The Hawks return 5 starters on defense led by two-year starter Baldwin at safety. Classen, Lennart, Walker and Gross return at linebacker. Bond will also play safety, while Williams and Morris will be at cornerback. … The defensive line lacks experience and will made up of sophomores Duharkic and Collins, junior Mateja Stojkovic and senior Noah Diaz. …The Hawks are looking to continue their streak of five consecutive playoff appearances and 8 in the last 9 playoff seasons.
Coach’s quote: “We are usually pretty experienced in the skill positions year in and year out,” Heyse said. “This year it will be a little of the opposite. They (offensive line) need to become the leaders of our offense. We feel that we can compete with anyone in our conference. We will have to stay healthy and count on a few of our younger guys to make a jump a little quicker than most.”
Palatine
Last year: 6-5, 3-2 (Third in MSL West)
Coach: Chad Bobbit
Top returning players: Jayden Evans (6-0, 185, sr., WR); Brennan Wright (5-10, 165, jr., WR); Timmy Bello (5-10, 185, sr., WR); Jacari Travis (6-1, 285, sr, OL); Harrison Orth (6-0, 275, sr., OL); Favour Akinyele (6-1, 258, sr., OL); Eliaz Egbe (6-2, 210, jr., DE/LB); Gus Tashima (6-1, 171, jr., LB); Casey Miller (6-0, 180, sr., DE/LB); Makaio Halbert, (6-0, 165, jr., DB); Anthony Kurey (6-0, 170, sr., DB)
Key newcomers: Brandon Martino (5-11, 165, sr., QB); Chase Klipowicz (5-8, 140, jr., RB); Tristan Corrado (6-2, 200, jr., TE/WR); Zac Pinderski (6-1, 230, sr., OL); Sean Maiden (5-10, 260, jr., OL); Marcell Ferguson (5-11, 210, sr., DT); Eddie Cobos (5-9, 207, sr., DT); Bowie Roth (5-11, 180, sr., LB); Dami Mohammed (5-8, 140, jr., DB)
Outlook: Bobbit takes over as head coach and inherits a Palatine team with 11 returning starters. That includes a pair of D-I players. …Palatine should be much improved defensively. They have six players back including three in the secondary. …Evans, who has committed to Northern Illinois, leads that secondary. Halbert and Kurey also return and they will be joined by Mohammed. …That group could get lots of opportunities for interceptions thanks to the pass rushing by Egbe. The junior now has five D-I offers, picking one up recently from Tennessee. ..Miller returns to be at the other end with Cobos and Ferguson inside. …Tashima is back at linebacker and will be joined by John Stevens and Roth. …Evans will also key the receiving corps along with Wright, Bello and TE Tristan Corrado. … The Pirates will have almost a new backfield. Klipowicz saw some brief action last season at running back. Martino, who also saw some brief action last year, will be taking over full time at quarterback. …Travis, Orth and Akinyele return to the offensive line to bring size and experience. Maiden and Pinderski will join the trio to complete the line which will average 262 pounds.
Coach’s quote: “We will work to be disciplined in our assignments,” Bobbit said. “And give relentless, maximum effort in everything we do.”
Schaumburg
Last year: 3-6, 0-5
Coach: Mark Stilling
Top returning players: Mason Heydecker (5-8, 150, so., WR); Vince Heydecker (5-10, 200, sr., RB); Tommy Poldek (5-7, 140, jr., WR); Brayden Chorzempa (6-1, 260, sr., OL); Jonathon Hilton (5-10, 195, sr., OL); Connor Swanson-Tcasz (6-4, 290, jr., OL); Cole Felgenahuer (6-2, 175, jr., WR); Xavier Tudela (5-10, 145, sr., RB); Vinny Cretsinger (5-9, 165, sr., RB); Matt Carver (6-0, 195, sr., LB); Wyatt Frejd (5-10, 175, sr., LB); James McGreal (5-8, 180, sr., LB); Sean Rogers (6-0, 170, sr., DB); Dylan Ramierez (5-10, 135, jr., QB); Anthony Leonard (6-0, 210, sr., DL); Alden Rojas-Castillo (5-8, 203, sr., DL); Mike Brown (6-1, 215, sr., DL)
Key newcomers: Mike Creaney (5-8, 145, sr., WR); Bubba Vanden Boom (5-11, 190, jr., DL); Jack Mallon (6-0, 165, jr., DB); James Hilton (5-10, 175, sr., TE)
Outlook: The Saxons may be low in numbers, but not in returning players. Schaumburg will have 12 starters back and look to get back to the playoffs this year. …It will be a new backfield to start the season as Cretsinger will start at running back and Ramirez will get the nod at quarterback. …Both will operate behind an experienced and large offensive line: Montes, Chorzempa, Swanson-Tcasz, Jonathan Hilton and Frejd. ...The Saxons will also have speed and experience at wide receiver with Atkinson, Creaney, Tudela, and Mason Heydecker. James Hilton will start at tight end. … McGreal, Carver and Vanden Boom will anchor the defense at linebacker. The secondary should be fast and aggressive with Poldek, Sean Rogers, Cole Felgenhauer and Mallon. Rojas-Castillo, Brown, Leonard Collin Clark-Vasquez will be upfront.
Coach’s quote: “This is the smallest roster in terms of numbers in 20 years,” Stilling said. “But we have incredible versatility in terms of people being able to play multiple positions in multiple phases.”