High school football 2026: Scouting Maine South, Maine East, Maine West, St. Viator and Leyden

Central Suburban South

Maine South

Last year: 10-2, 5-0, conference champs

Coach: Dave Inserra

Top returning players: Jameson Purcell (6-3, 200, sr., QB); Vuk Strbac (6-5, 278, sr., OL); Danny Podolski (6-3, 277, sr., OL); Forrest Greenhill (6-1, 265, sr., OL); Nick McCarthy (5-11, 175, sr., WR); Matthew Schlenhardt (6-0, 205, sr., LB)

Key newcomers: Payton Donaldson (6-1, 210, sr. RB); Keaton Vitel (6-1, 190, jr., WR); Sam McNeill (6-2, 270, jr., OL); Noah Simpson (6-1, 265, jr., OL); Devin Paxson (5-10, 185, sr., WR); Sean Sladky (5-7, 165, sr., CB); Hugh Stewart (6-1, 185, sr., S); Mark Orszula (6-5, 245, sr., DL); Aidan Connolly (6-2, 230, sr., DL); Nick Fontillas (6-1, 210, jr., LB)

Outlook: The sting of the loss to Oswego in the Class 8A quarterfinals still burns for Maine South. But the Hawks are looking to extinguish that feeling with a deeper run this season. … The Hawks have the makings of a top tier team again thanks to the return of Purcell. The Indiana-commit really began to show his dual threat ability last season, throwing for 3,001 yards and 31 touchdown passes while rushing for 297 yards and 10 touchdowns. … Purcell will have a solid group of receivers to throw to. McCarthy and Vitel saw action last year while Paxson, Elliot Arteta, Joe Ragona and Nolan Gradoville should be key contributors. … Donaldson will be taking over the rushing duties from Niko Kokosioulis, who graduated. Schlenhardt may also see some action in the backfield. … They will have the ability to run behind an offensive line that is massive, averaging 6-foot-3 and 271 pounds. It is led by Toldeo-commit Strbac and has Podolski, who has several D-II offers, along with McNeil, Greenhill and Simpson. … The Hawks defense has always been overshadowed by its offense. But led by Syracuse-commit Schlenhardt, who was named all-state by the state coaches association, the Hawks will be tough again. Schlenhardt will anchor the linebacking corps of Nolan Habetler, Fontillas, Braeden Kleeman-O'Meara and Danny O'Brien … Sladky, Stewart, McCarthy and Vitel will work alongside Max Neill, Bo Brania, Patrick Montero, Thomas Burns and Jackson Adams in the secondary. Mark Orszula, Connolly, Matthew Sherman, James Lee, Greenhill and Podolski will be on the defensive line.

Coach’s quote: “A few players will have to go both ways or share that responsibility,” Inserra said. “We have had four quarterfinals in a row and there is nothing wrong with that, but we are motivated to move forward. We look to win the CSL South and compete for a state championship. Our first game is at Batavia and will quickly let us know where we are heading.”

Central Suburban North

Maine East

Last year: 0-9, 0-5

Coach: Shane McNally

Top returning players: Olajuwon Alowooja (6-3, 180, sr., WR/FS); Abdul-Baqi Salami (5-10, sr., DB); Chris Jerjis (6-0, 165, sr., DE); Aristotle Gouskos (5-11, 170, sr., WR); Elijah Trevino (5-11, 172, sr., QB); Maro Okorare (5-10, 205, sr., OL/DL); Mohammed-Zaid Ali (6-2, 220, sr., OL/DL); Gideon Grant II (5-9, 190, sr., OL/LB)

Key newcomers: Peter Khamo (5-9, 165, jr., RB); Lazavier Holmes (6-2, 255, jr., OL); Avery Ang (5-10, 220, jr., OL); Christian Esquivel (5-10, 195, jr., OL); Mahmood Soyege (6-0, 220, jr., OL)

Outlook: Maine East is looking for a big turnaround. The Blue Demons did not win a game and scored 28 points last season. And they return just one starter on each side of the ball. … Despite that, roster numbers are on the increase and thanks to the new playoff rules, Maine East has its sights set on their first playoff appearance since 1977 … Alowooja is matchup nightmare thanks to his 6-foot-3 length. And although Trevino has yet to start a game, he has made huge progress in the off-season. Amir King will play at wide receiver while Brendan Williams is at tight end. … The key to the Demons’ success could be the ability for Khamo to run the ball effectively. … Khamo will be running behind an offensive line of returnees Zaid Ali and Okari, plus Holmes, Ang, Esquivel and Soyege. … Alowooja will lead the defense from his secondary spot. He will be joined by Jairo Kish, Yazan Al Zamel and Andrae Dashto. … Favour Lewis, Williams and Grant will be at linebacker with the defensive line including Steven Tate, Barry Wade, Quareeb Akinpelu and Chris Jerjis.

Coach’s quote: “We expect to be a much more complete and competitive team this season,” McNally said. “Our kids are hungry and this junior class is loaded with talent and potential and our senior class has some great leaders in it.”

Maine West

Last year: 3-6, 2-5

Coach: George Klupchak

Top returning players: Isiah Greer, (6-1, 235, sr., OL/DL); Patrick Smoter (5-11, 245, sr., OL); Max Gutkowski (5-10, 185, sr., RB/LB); Davion Tate (5-9, 170, sr., WR/DB); Lukasz Kleszcz (6-2, 255, jr., OL/DL); Josh Abebe (5-9, 165, jr. WR/DB); Ethan Ou (5-8, 145, jr. WR/DB)

Key newcomers: Chase Nelson (5-11, 185, sr., WR/LB); Zaire Domino (5-11, 185, sr., QB/LB); Wyatt Roux (5-11, 175, so., QB); Auston Hicks (5-10, 140, so., WR/DB); Ashton Hicks (5-11, 145, so., WR/DB); Carlo Jaime (5-11, 210, sr., OL/DL); David Mitchell (6-0, 210, sr., TE/DE); Eddie Arroyo (5-6, 180, sr. RB)

Outlook: There are lots of changes this season for the Warriors … With the opening of the newly revamped stadium, Maine West is looking to begin a new streak of its own. The Warriors are looking to get back to the playoffs after qualifying the previous three seasons. … It may be a bit more difficult to do that. The Central Suburban League made changes to its conference format, breaking the conference into three divisions of four teams in each division. That means no automatic qualifier from any of the three new divisions. But with the new IHSA playoff format, the Warriors are confident they can still get through. … Domino and Roux are still battling at the quarterback position. At running back, Arroyo, Gutowski, and Angelo de la Torre have been getting significant reps. … The Warriors return Greer, Smooter and Kleszcz to the offensive line to give the backfield some experience. Jaime will also be on the line along with Mitchell at tight end. … The receiving corps will be led by Tate and Abede, who both had solid seasons last year. Ou, Austin Hicks and Ashton Hicks will also be working their way onto the field. … Defensively, the Warriors will have many players going both ways. Greer and Kleszcz will anchor the line with Mitchell at another spot. Tate, Abede and Ou will be key contributors in the secondary while Gutkowski is back at linebacker and will be joined by Nelson and possibly Domino.

Coach’s quote: “Our team is looking forward to opening an updated stadium as we'll be playing home games on turf for the first time in our school's 67-year history,” Klupchak said. “As always, the CSL schedule will present numerous challenges, but the 2026 Warriors expect to compete for the program's fourth playoff appearance in the last five seasons.”

Chicago Catholic League Red

St. Viator

Last year: 1-8, 0-3

Coach: Robbie Gould

Top returning players: Connor McGrath (5-8, 145, sr., RB/DB); Anthony Woodard (5-10, 180, sr., RB/LB); Dylan Molina (6-1, 155, so., WR/DB); Dylan Bergt (6-0, 200, sr., TE/LB); Shane Smith (6-2, 290, sr., OL/DL); Colton Schneider (6-2, 210, sr., DL); Semaus Rustay (5-7, 150, so., RB/DB); Alex Niemiec (6-2, 175, sr., K)

Key newcomers: Danny Traver (6-0, 185, jr., QB); Jax Baker (5-11, 160, jr. WR); AJ Pollizze (6-1, 185, fr., TE/LB)

Outlook: With their full time move to the Catholic League, the Lions are stepping up to compete in the toughest conference in the state. Viator moves to the Red Division and should compete for the division title. … The Lions’ nonconference schedule is very rugged. They play three state titlists in 4A state champion Montini, 5A state champion St. Francis and 6A state champion Fenwick. Their schedule also includes DePaul, which won a state title in 2024, and St. Ignatius, which is in Class 8A and St. Patrick which is a 7A school. … The Lions return seven players from last year’s squad. … Danny Traver, who was at South Elgin and saw some time last season as a sophomore, takes over the reins at quarterback. … He will have Molina, who played well as a freshman on the varsity last season, to target. Joining him will be Bryson Jackson, Baker, Michael Milano, Tate Williams, Dylan Weber and Nick Nagy from the wide receiver spot. Bergt, Pollizze and Danny Lamka will be working at tight end. … McGrath, along with Rustay, Woodard, Frank Kepler, Michael Riley and J.J. Chianello, will be the running backs. … The offensive line will be a mix in seniors Smith, Jacob Holda and Wesley Marshall, junior Aiden Confuorto and sophomores Daniel De Los Santos, Tommy Dooley and Justin Splitt. … The defensive line includes a rotation of seniors: Smith, Schneider and Holda along with Marcus Hogg, Seamus Carnel and Nick Riley. … The linebacking corps consists of Tony McElroy, Bergt, Woodard, Pollizze, Lamka, Riley and Chianello. The secondary features Baker, Jackson, McGrath, Rustay, Williams, Weber, Kepler and Nathan Blangiardo. … Niemiec returns to handle to kicking duties.

Coach’s quote: “We’re a young team this season, which gives many of our players an opportunity to step into important roles, gain valuable varsity experience and show what they can do,” Gould said. “Coming off a difficult season, we know there is work ahead of us. Our focus is on improving every day.”

West Suburban Gold

Leyden

Last year: 4-5, 3-3

Coach: Tom Cerasani

Top returning players: Chris Stephens (5-9, 170, sr., WR/DB); Nate Santoyo (6-2, 180, sr., WR/DB); Johnny Aguirre (5-10, 170, sr., WR/DB); Dylan Wazer (6-0, 190, sr., DL); Sebastian Silenzi (6-3, 250, sr., OL/DL); Aiden Cubias (6-1, 260, sr., OL/DL); Nehemiah Almodovar (5-9, 185, sr., RB)

Key newcomers: Sonny Falco (6-0, 170, sr., QB); Johnny Aguirre (5-7, 155, sr., WR); Armani Santana (6-3, 171, jr., WR); Charlie Stephens (5-11, 155, jr., WR); Andrew Stockley (6-0, 190, sr., TE/OLB); Connor O'Neil (6-2, 180, so., OLB); Diego Martinez (5-9, 185, jr., FB/LB); Aydan Borrini (6-1, 220, sr., TE/ILB); Danny Borrini (6-1, 215, sr., DL); Benicio Perez (5-8, 214, jr., OL/DL); Jeremiah Munoz (5-10, 215, sr., OL/DL); Jeremy Quintanna (6-1, 278, sr., OL/DL); Julian Perez (6-4, 303, sr., OL); Mark Kempa (6-0, 170, jr., OLB)

Outlook: Leyden has not qualified for the playoffs since 2016. But under this year’s new format, the Eagles would have been able to qualify for the last two seasons with their 4-5 records. That new format may not matter to the Eagles, who are poised to have their best season since 2016. …. Almodovar will be one of keys of the Eagles offense this season. The senior played in a limited role last season, gaining 453 yards, including a 179-yard performance against Morton in week seven. … Falco takes over the reins at quarterback after playing safety last season. … Falco will have plenty of options to throw to in Chris Stephens, who caught 9 passes for 116 yards, his brother Charlie, Aguirre, Santoyo and Santana, who could be a matchup problem with his size. … The offensive line of Julian Perez, Benico Perez, Quintanna, Munoz, Silenzi and Cubias could be formidable, averaging just over 260 pounds. … The defense will be young in spots, but not the secondary with Aguirre, Chris Stephens, Santoyo and Charlie Stephens. The linebackers will be very active in O'Neil, Aydan Borrini, Diego Martinez and Kempa. The defensive line will have a rotation of Silenzi, Wazer, Benicio Perez and Stockley.

Coach’s quote: “Our goal is to make the playoffs,” Cerasani said. “We are excited about our team. They have shown a lot of character and commitment through the off-season and summer.”