‘Edgy’ Tim O’Halloran: Which area prep football teams are on the rise?
It’s hard to believe we just have two weeks of IHSA football left in the regular season.
With the postseason approaching quickly, here are some feel-good programs who are on track to have much more success compared to a year ago, and some of the key names playing big roles.
Aurora Christian (5-2)
The Eagles and head coach Dave Beebe have lost to undefeated Chicago Hope and Bishop McNamara, and have two solid opponents left on the schedule in Wheaton Academy (3-4) and Marian Central Catholic (3-4). Aurora Christian, as usual, has a high-powered offense led by a standout quarterback in senior Asa Johnson. Johnson (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) has interest from various FCS schools along with attention from the likes of Valparaiso, Butler and Division III power North Central College. Also keep an eye on senior linebacker/wide receiver Dominic Klimpke and running back Josh Crawford. The Eagles appear headed back to Class 1A in the playoffs, and two more regular-season wins would give them a shot at a first-round home game. Playing at home at 7-2 is much better than last season when they finished 5-4, had to play at 1A power LeRoy and lost 54-21.
Carmel Catholic (5-2)
I was able to see the Corsairs in person last fall and watched them lose a tight game to eventual 4A state champion DePaul Prep in Chicago. Carmel at the time looked like a program with some higher-level talent, but still was trying to find answers and finished the 2024 season at 3-6. Those pieces from last season have come to play this fall as Carmel locked up playoff eligibility with a win over DePaul Prep. The offense is led by junior quarterback Trae Taylor (Nebraska), who has ramped up his game and has the ability to keep the Corsairs in every game. Taylor has a nice core of receivers and backs. Keep an eye on receivers Kai Owens (UMass) and Greg Bess-Henning plus running back Jaquel Edmonds. Look for Carmel to wind up in 7A.
Elgin (5-2)
Head coach Anthony Mason has seen the highs and the lows since taking over the program in 2015. This season has been one of the best for Elgin. The Maroons landed its fifth win on Friday with a 25-6 win over Streamwood. Elgin has a youth movement ongoing. Keep an eye on junior quarterback Jacob Rufino along with junior running back Anthony Foster. Elgin will get a big test Friday at South Elgin (5-2), then finish the regular season hosting rival Bartlett (2-5).
Glenbard North (5-2)
The Panthers and veteran head coach Ryan Wilkens are having a terrific turnaround season from last year's 2-7 finish. They’re playoff eligible for the first time since 2021. The Panthers are at their best when running the football and playing fast and physical on defense. Glenbard North is getting big numbers from senior running back Donato Gatses (5-11, 190 pounds), who is the ideal back in the Panthers’ offense. Gatses camped this summer at Yale, Northwestern, North Central College and St. Thomas (FCS). Senior athlete Zechariah Morris made a recent game day visit to Notre Dame and camped this summer at Northern Iowa, Cincinnati, Purdue and North Central College. He continues to be in contact with various other schools.
Wheaton Warrenville South (5-2)
The Red Grange Tigers are coming off an impressive 33-7 win over St. Charles North. WW South is now playoff eligible with games remaining against Lake Park and Batavia. Senior running back Owen Yorke is having an MVP season and recently added his first Division I offer from Central Arkansas. Yorke is also drawing recruiting attention from schools such as Valparaiso and Butler plus North Central College, Mount Union and UW Whitewater. The Tigers appear headed back to 7A and hopefully will have a better draw than last postseason, a 31-7 first-round loss to Downers Grove North. Winning another game or two would be a great way to avoid a handful of potentially top seeds in the bracket.