Always tough to decide which part of this terrific yearly event to cover from my perspective since you have 30 plus 7on7 teams along with a ton of linemen from those schools for the linemen challenge....so I decided to spend most of my day watching the 7on7 teams which also getting arounbd to at least eyeball some linemen.
Again I try to see everyone but on occasion I somehow avoid seeing a handful of teams which I'll note below.
The event overall? This has become THE summer team event in Illinois in a few short years. Anyone who's had time to spend at WWS knows already the tremendous support from not just the school, coaches and admin but also from the boosters parents etc at WWS. Huge props to all because this is about as organized and as well run as anything I've seen in Illinois.
The 2016 Red Grange wound up being 36 teams, easily the biggest field in the history of this event and that field included a handful of OOS teams.
So Who Stood Out? Part 2
Red Grange 7on7 Recap Part 1
DeKalb- I saw the Barbs at NIU and had a pretty good look so I didn't spend much time here on them. All I know is that opposing coaches raved about QB Derek Kyler and that DeKalb's offense is pretty legit again this coming season. Kyler looks like he will be a real steal for say FCS/D2 level schools and unfortunately is lumped into a very down 2017 QB recruiting class, which I sadly predicted well over a year ago. Kyler has real game and throws it very well.
Metea Valley- the Mustangs always have skill kids and athletic kids and the 2016 version is no different. MV was able to match up and compete with just about everyone here and here's hoping that carries over to the field in 2016. Again this remains a program that can and will break thru one of these days. Playing in the DVC will not do this program any favors so far. I feel MV would be a playoff team in just about any other conference in the south/southwestern burbs.
Zion-Benton- the Zee Bees are yet another program that has talent and a ton of athletes....it's almost shocking to see the overall athletes and talent level from ZB and then you look at the team's record. HC Bob Moynihan and staff was playing with less than a full crew here at WWS and still made a decent run in the losers bracket. IF this program continues to buy in and continues to stay focused and grind...much like Metea Valley this program has as much talent as anyone in the North Suburban Lake...and one of these days hopefully the Zee-Bees will break through.
Warren Township- lots of talent at Warren especially in the offensive skills and in particular at WR. The QB play was up and down and so was the defense...but this is a younger team and is another team to watch for 2016. Did not see a linemen group from Warren at the Linemen challenge.
West Aurora- another program that I feel remains on the rise. Made the state playoffs last year and has the makings of being another state playoff team in 2016. Good skill, speed and overall talent level and I was also impressed with the QB play. Linemen group is big and also has some good strength as well and looked really strong in the tug of war.
Lyons Township- Junior QB Ben Bryant was simply the best, most consistent QB I saw all day on Friday. Bryant showed good arm strength and touch all day. Lyons receivers and backs had a rough day and I saw way too many drops here. Lyons was able to hang and compete with several teams here, always a good sign. Also the Lions have another big group of offensive linemen and just looked to have a pretty solid overall group. No question Lyons has a playoff caliber team from a talent standpoint.
Lockport- the Porters did some good things here both in the 7on7 and at the linemen side. I liked the QB play from the Porters and this is a team that will no question throw the ball with success this season. The linemen might not have the overall bulk from 2015 but this is still a good sized, strong group that fared well here. Like LW Central the Porters keep making positive steps and that's a great sign to see this summer.
Wheaton North- didn't see the Falcons all day in 7on7. No idea where they hid from me all day. Hoping to see the Falcons later this July. Linemen? Smaller number group but some really big OT types.
Downers Grove South- really liked what I saw from junior QB Matt Greenwald here....younger guy with a very good arm and tools. Not a ton over overwhelming talent back but a good group of grinders here. Did not see any linemen from DGS here.
Schaumburg- just liked what I saw from the Saxons here. Good overall skill kids and that seems to be the case year in and year out for Schaumburg. Competed pretty well against some bigger names and also this is a team with really good speed. Should be in the MSL mix and a state playoff caliber team I believe. I'll get a better idea on MSL/CSL later this month at Maine West
Again I try to see everyone but on occasion I somehow avoid seeing a handful of teams which I'll note below.
The event overall? This has become THE summer team event in Illinois in a few short years. Anyone who's had time to spend at WWS knows already the tremendous support from not just the school, coaches and admin but also from the boosters parents etc at WWS. Huge props to all because this is about as organized and as well run as anything I've seen in Illinois.
The 2016 Red Grange wound up being 36 teams, easily the biggest field in the history of this event and that field included a handful of OOS teams.
So Who Stood Out? Part 2
Red Grange 7on7 Recap Part 1
DeKalb- I saw the Barbs at NIU and had a pretty good look so I didn't spend much time here on them. All I know is that opposing coaches raved about QB Derek Kyler and that DeKalb's offense is pretty legit again this coming season. Kyler looks like he will be a real steal for say FCS/D2 level schools and unfortunately is lumped into a very down 2017 QB recruiting class, which I sadly predicted well over a year ago. Kyler has real game and throws it very well.
Metea Valley- the Mustangs always have skill kids and athletic kids and the 2016 version is no different. MV was able to match up and compete with just about everyone here and here's hoping that carries over to the field in 2016. Again this remains a program that can and will break thru one of these days. Playing in the DVC will not do this program any favors so far. I feel MV would be a playoff team in just about any other conference in the south/southwestern burbs.
Zion-Benton- the Zee Bees are yet another program that has talent and a ton of athletes....it's almost shocking to see the overall athletes and talent level from ZB and then you look at the team's record. HC Bob Moynihan and staff was playing with less than a full crew here at WWS and still made a decent run in the losers bracket. IF this program continues to buy in and continues to stay focused and grind...much like Metea Valley this program has as much talent as anyone in the North Suburban Lake...and one of these days hopefully the Zee-Bees will break through.
Warren Township- lots of talent at Warren especially in the offensive skills and in particular at WR. The QB play was up and down and so was the defense...but this is a younger team and is another team to watch for 2016. Did not see a linemen group from Warren at the Linemen challenge.
West Aurora- another program that I feel remains on the rise. Made the state playoffs last year and has the makings of being another state playoff team in 2016. Good skill, speed and overall talent level and I was also impressed with the QB play. Linemen group is big and also has some good strength as well and looked really strong in the tug of war.
Lyons Township- Junior QB Ben Bryant was simply the best, most consistent QB I saw all day on Friday. Bryant showed good arm strength and touch all day. Lyons receivers and backs had a rough day and I saw way too many drops here. Lyons was able to hang and compete with several teams here, always a good sign. Also the Lions have another big group of offensive linemen and just looked to have a pretty solid overall group. No question Lyons has a playoff caliber team from a talent standpoint.
Lockport- the Porters did some good things here both in the 7on7 and at the linemen side. I liked the QB play from the Porters and this is a team that will no question throw the ball with success this season. The linemen might not have the overall bulk from 2015 but this is still a good sized, strong group that fared well here. Like LW Central the Porters keep making positive steps and that's a great sign to see this summer.
Wheaton North- didn't see the Falcons all day in 7on7. No idea where they hid from me all day. Hoping to see the Falcons later this July. Linemen? Smaller number group but some really big OT types.
Downers Grove South- really liked what I saw from junior QB Matt Greenwald here....younger guy with a very good arm and tools. Not a ton over overwhelming talent back but a good group of grinders here. Did not see any linemen from DGS here.
Schaumburg- just liked what I saw from the Saxons here. Good overall skill kids and that seems to be the case year in and year out for Schaumburg. Competed pretty well against some bigger names and also this is a team with really good speed. Should be in the MSL mix and a state playoff caliber team I believe. I'll get a better idea on MSL/CSL later this month at Maine West
