Mount Carmel and Lincoln-Way East, of course, top list. Watch out for St. Rita and Brother Rice.
Top 10 Teams
1. Mount Carmel (11-3)
After three straight state titles in Class 7A, Caravan gets their shot at 8A. Roster is loaded with Division I talent, including senior defensive linemen Braeden Jones (USC) and Joey Quinn (Vanderbilt) and senior offensive lineman Claude Mpouma (Nebraska). Junior receiver Quentin Burrell, who totaled 17 touchdowns last season, has several high-major offers.
2. Lincoln-Way East (12-1)
Star senior quarterback Jonas Williams (USC) has new weapons via transfer in senior receiver Blaise LaVista (Washington) and junior receiver Jayden Cawthon. Senior running back Brody Gish is back after helping Griffins reach 8A semifinals, while senior lineman Jacob Alexander (Illinois) leads defense.
3. St. Rita (10-3)
Mustangs return 13 starters from 7A semifinalist, only losing to state champions last year — falling twice to Mount Carmel and once to Nazareth. Senior linebacker Owen Lynch and senior defensive back Langston Smith lead experienced defense. Senior quarterback Steven Armbruster has started since he was a sophomore.
4. Brother Rice (6-4)
After back-to-back first-round playoff losses, Crusaders are looking for breakthrough. Senior King Liggins (Illinois) and junior Brayden Parks, who has several high-major offers, form dynamic duo on defensive line. Look for senior quarterback CJ Gray (Army) to target junior receiver Jovan Green Jr. (South Dakota State) often.
5. Marist (9-2)
It all starts up front for RedHawks, with senior offensive linemen Rico Schrieber (Purdue) and Danzel Newell (New Mexico) opening holes for senior running back Kevin Bartolotta. Seniors Michael O’Connor and Tommy O’Brien lead defensive line. Marist gave 8A champ Loyola a battle in 24-20 second-round playoff loss.
6. Lincoln-Way Central (9-4)
Several key pieces return from 7A semifinalist that nearly surprised by reaching state championship game. Senior quarterback Drew Woodburn, senior receiver Lucas Andresen and senior receiver/running back Luke Tingley have strong connections offensively. After suffering three last-minute defeats, can Knights win close games this year?
7. Lincoln-Way West (7-4)
Warriors, who have won 16 games over last two seasons, return major playmakers in senior receiver/defensive back Chase Markowicz (Illinois State) and senior running back Jahan Abubakar (South Dakota). Senior Jackson Mansker joins Markowicz in strong secondary.
8. Joliet Catholic (10-4)
Inexperienced Hilltoppers need to grow up fast with tough schedule at hand. Senior defensive end/tight end Ian Campbell (Navy) can certainly help them do that. Senior quarterback Lucas Simulick and senior receiver Jayden Armstrong pace offense.
9. Crete-Monee (6-4)
Senior quarterback Derrin Couch and senior receivers Dorian Patterson and D’Arion Yarbrough lead one of state’s most explosive offenses. With all of last season’s wins coming against teams under .500, Warriors look to take next step and show they can compete with top dogs this year.
10. Richards (11-2)
Most of stars are gone from 6A semifinalist team, but several starters return. Senior quarterback Noah Escobedo and senior receiver Jaiden Henry should connect often, while senior safety Ahmad Buchanan and senior lineman Johnny Lipscomb lead defense.
The 50 Players to Watch
- Jacob Alexander, Lincoln-Way East, senior, defensive lineman.
- Lucas Andresen, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, receiver.
- Steven Armbruster, St. Rita, senior, quarterback.
- Colton Benaitis, Lockport, senior, defensive back.
- Ahmad Buchanan, Richards, senior, defensive back.
- Quentin Burrell, Mount Carmel, junior, receiver.
- Ian Campbell, Joliet Catholic, senior, defensive lineman/tight end.
- Maximilian Carmicle, Hillcrest, senior, defensive lineman.
- Zion Carter, Shepard, senior, offensive/defensive lineman.
- Daniel Chopp, Oak Forest, senior, quarterback.
- Derrin Couch, Crete-Monee, senior, quarterback.
- Amari Dukes, T.F. South, junior, quarterback/receiver.
- Quinn Durkin, Sandburg, junior, running back.
- Jackson Dybcio, Lemont, senior, linebacker/running back.
- Myles Ellis, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, receiver.
- Omarrion Evans, Evergreen Park, senior, receiver/defensive back.
- Jack Gaines, Argo, senior, offensive/defensive lineman.
- Kellen Gamble, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, offensive lineman.
- Troy Garner, Rich Township, senior, defensive back.
- CJ Gray, Brother Rice, senior, quarterback.
- Musa Hamadeh, Ag Science, senior, offensive/defensive lineman.
- Tavares Harrington, Mount Carmel, junior, defensive back.
- Zach Hermanson, Lincoln-Way West, senior, kicker/punter.
- Roman Igwebuike, Mount Carmel, junior, linebacker.
- Dominic Infelise, Providence, senior, defensive lineman.
- Braeden Jones, Mount Carmel, senior, defensive lineman.
- Olaf Kozub, Stagg, senior, running back/linebacker.
- Blaise LaVista, Lincoln-Way East, senior, receiver.
- Cory Les, St. Laurence, senior, running back/defensive back.
- Damian Lewis, Eisenhower, senior, linebacker/running back.
- King Liggins, Brother Rice, senior, defensive lineman.
- Owen Lynch, St. Rita, senior, linebacker.
- Chase Markowicz, Lincoln-Way West, senior, receiver/defensive back.
- Claude Mpouma, Mount Carmel, senior, offensive lineman.
- Gavin Neil, Marian Catholic, senior, defensive lineman/tight end.
- Danzel Newell, Marist, senior, offensive lineman.
- Jake Palucki, Andrew, senior, offensive lineman.
- Brayden Parks, Brother Rice, junior, defensive lineman.
- Dorian Patterson, Crete-Monee, senior, receiver.
- Joey Quinn, Mount Carmel, senior, defensive lineman.
- Nasir Rankin, Morgan Park, senior, receiver.
- Carmelow Reed, Rich Township, senior, defensive lineman.
- Rico Schrieber, Marist, senior, offensive lineman.
- Heath Sisk, Chicago Christian, senior, offensive/defensive lineman.
- Malcolm Smith, T.F. North, senior, linebacker.
- Vincent Smith, Sandburg, senior, defensive back.
- Blake Stefanek, Reavis, senior, kicker/punter.
- Luke Tingley, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, running back/receiver/linebacker.
- Cabren White, Tinley Park, senior, linebacker.
- Jonas Williams, Lincoln-Way East, senior, quarterback.