So who are the preseason favorites teams for 2016?

[kpjasion]

Oles is too small to play D-1. O'Shea is just a soph I believe and a beast.

Anyone D1/D2 who passes on Oles because he's "only" 6'0", 195 lbs. is a fool. He's Jordan Lynch like; extremely coachable, always wanting to improve, great accuracy on long passes, makes all the throws you expect him to, and a deceptively fast runner who can run over defenders( just ask some of the BR guys playing late in the 4th quarter last fall). Just a good kid too...All the things you'd want to look for in a student athlete he embodies; whoever gets him will be lucky.

O'Shea IS a beast ..Freak of nature athlete; varsity in three sports as a sophomore this year. Definitely D1 talent in two years in my opinion if he keeps progressing.

As for Palatine overall, they have to be considered a threat for a title; at a minimum getting back to the Semi-finals. Oles at QB throwing to WR's O'Shea and and 6'3'' Jack Grochowski(Oles fav. target as a sophomore); with Courtland Cornelius back at slot as well as Jack Orlando(another beast) up from the sophs; Turner returning at RB with a lightning fast sophomore coming up who will really push him for playing time; and two starters and one key reserve returning on the O-line they will put up a lot of points. Defense lost a few key guys to graduation on the line, but they do have 2 starting LBs and 2 starting DBs returning. Sophs coming up have about 10 keys guys who will complement very well with the returning guys..If Palatine is ever gonna win a state title, this coming year is their best chance.

 

[krock the house]

Oles sounds like a kid you want to root for and he definitely wore down BR in the second half after being a non factor in the first half.
I'm not sure who wore down RIce more in that game Oles or the refs. One of the worst ref games I have seen in awhile

 

[DeanOfSelection]

Ultimately with MC need to see opening scrimmage. See who transferred etc. Then can really evaluate. Should be very good in '17 though and this year might have a scenario like '14. Finished 5-4 but got to semi beating LA LWE Batavia.

 

[DeanOfSelection]

Anyone D1/D2 who passes on Oles because he's "only" 6'0", 195 lbs. is a fool. He's Jordan Lynch like; extremely coachable, always wanting to improve, great accuracy on long passes, makes all the throws you expect him to, and a deceptively fast runner who can run over defenders( just ask some of the BR guys playing late in the 4th quarter last fall). Just a good kid too...All the things you'd want to look for in a student athlete he embodies; whoever gets him will be lucky.

O'Shea IS a beast ..Freak of nature athlete; varsity in three sports as a sophomore this year. Definitely D1 talent in two years in my opinion if he keeps progressing.

As for Palatine overall, they have to be considered a threat for a title; at a minimum getting back to the Semi-finals. Oles at QB throwing to WR's O'Shea and and 6'3'' Jack Grochowski(Oles fav. target as a sophomore); with Courtland Cornelius back at slot as well as Jack Orlando(another beast) up from the sophs; Turner returning at RB with a lightning fast sophomore coming up who will really push him for playing time; and two starters and one key reserve returning on the O-line they will put up a lot of points. Defense lost a few key guys to graduation on the line, but they do have 2 starting LBs and 2 starting DBs returning. Sophs coming up have about 10 keys guys who will complement very well with the returning guys..If Palatine is ever gonna win a state title, this coming year is their best chance.

Who is Palatine's chief competition in the conference this year? Saxon?

 

[thekoz1020]

I predict we'll be hearing more about Oswego East this year.

I want to agree about Oswego East. Huge pick up at running back with Ivory; always a strong defense, and getting lots more attention with E. James breakout performance at EFT Showcase, and a possible up and comer at QB that will be a junior.

 

[PowerI66_]

Who is Palatine's chief competition in the conference this year? Saxon?

That would be my guess. Always seems to come down to the Barrington game though.

 

[illini14]

I want to agree about Oswego East. Huge pick up at running back with Ivory; always a strong defense, and getting lots more attention with E. James breakout performance at EFT Showcase, and a possible up and comer at QB that will be a junior.

Almost upset Oswego as well in 2015. Will be interesting to see how the program handles the added attention with Kelly-Martin transferring in...

 

[DeanOfSelection]

That would be my guess. Always seems to come down to the Barrington game though.

hopefully they have the Thr night game this season again. I typically check out Fremd cause I like the loud raucous environment. Hopefully Palatine at Fremd

 

[kpjasion]

hopefully they have the Thr night game this season again. I typically check out Fremd cause I like the loud raucous environment. Hopefully Palatine at Fremd

For the third year in a row, I think it'll come down to Barrington vs Palatine again.
;
I don't think Fremd will compete, the scuttlebutt around town is that the players don't want to play for the coach, that's why numbers dropped from ~75 players in 2014 to 43 last season and why when a few key guys got injured their season collapsed late. Their last win and only conference win was against Palatine (grrr..) ..Problem is that game is never really representative of the teams due to the incredibly heightened emotion around the rivalry. In reality, for Palatine last year that game focused them; common mantra during the Barrington/Conant/playoff games was "that's who we are" resolving to prove the Fremd game was just a bad night. (PS.. Dean ...PHS/FHS game will be at PHS this year)

Barrington had a QB on the sophomore squad last year who'll you'll probably be hearing alot about by mid-season. In the same mold as Johnny Davidson and Zach Oles; really good read option QB who can throw and is lightning fast. I'm predicting he'll be what Johnny Davidson was in 2014 and Zach Oles in 2015..the next great QB in the conference. Same way they didn't have a drop off after graduation losses in 2014/15, they won't this coming season.

Conant will drop down, probably to the bottom of the conference. Last couple of sophomore squads got beat down pretty well by the rest of the conference(especially the upcoming seniors).

The wildcards are Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates. Schaumburg seems like they should be good, but I don't think to the level of Barrington/Palatine. Hoffman Estates has had all their sophs up with the varsity the last two years, so it's hard to see what coming. That said, it seemed Donitucci had them finally believing the could win last year, and they were very competitive in every conference game except the first one against Palatine(PHS led 35-7 one minute into 2nd half and played scrubs alot of the 2nd half); but that was before they started believing they could win.

As a huge PHS fan, obviously I think it will be an exciting year ahead.

 

[mchsalumni]

All.... Unless Matt Troha was incorrect after explaining to me (a text awhile back) how the SF would effect the Broncos this season, Montini will be 6A. Ratsy

Matt has it right. 6A for Montini this coming season, and if they make the final, 7A the following year. SF has been very difficult for people to understand, largely based on the inability for the IHSA to disseminate information properly.

 

[krock the house]

it will be interesting to watch how Montini does against some of the big boys this year with BR and MC on their schedule. I know that they have had Rita the last two years but they have been down.

 

[LHSTigers94]

it will be interesting to watch how Montini does against some of the big boys this year with BR and MC on their schedule. I know that they have had Rita the last two years but they have been down.

Montini will be fine

 

[krock the house]

do they have a lot coming this year?

 

[DeanOfSelection]

Montini is the favorite in 6A. Not sure where Naz will fall. if they had Martin would have been co-favs with them. PC if they fall there should be really good. Other teams to watch in 6A in no particular order Laurence (multiplier now applied to them hence 6A-may have been 7A but can only go up 1 class a year), LWW-are they bumped to 6A now? and being 5A last year I think like StL can only go up 1 class a year even if supposed to be 7A. SHG-not sure what they have back.Crete. PRidge.

 

[illini14]

Montini is the favorite in 6A. Not sure where Naz will fall. if they had Martin would have been co-favs with them. PC if they fall there should be really good. Other teams to watch in 6A in no particular order Laurence (multiplier now applied to them hence 6A-may have been 7A but can only go up 1 class a year), LWW-are they bumped to 6A now? and being 5A last year I think like StL can only go up 1 class a year even if supposed to be 7A. SHG-not sure what they have back.Crete. PRidge.

I think that the going up 1 class will only effect a school getting success factored.

LWW seeing a border shift and an increase in students would bump them up regardless up to 7A (or whatever the new enrollment would be), at least that would be my interpretation.

 

[illini14]

Montini is the favorite in 6A. Not sure where Naz will fall. if they had Martin would have been co-favs with them. PC if they fall there should be really good. Other teams to watch in 6A in no particular order Laurence (multiplier now applied to them hence 6A-may have been 7A but can only go up 1 class a year), LWW-are they bumped to 6A now? and being 5A last year I think like StL can only go up 1 class a year even if supposed to be 7A. SHG-not sure what they have back.Crete. PRidge.

If Rockford Auburn where to somehow sneak back down into 6A they could make a pretty decent playoff run and be worthy of being in this conversation.

Enrollment was at 1880 this past year, they were the 2nd or 3rd smallest school in 7A this past season.

For comparison TF South was the biggest school in 6A at 1814. I believe Auburn was in 6A in the 2012 or 2013 playoffs.

 

[DeanOfSelection]

Laurence should have lost on purpose round 1 last year. then they coulda stayed 5A and if Naz was 6A probly win 5A especially with LWW, SHG ,Montini gone and JC supposed to be down.

 

[Cross Bones]

Laurence should have lost on purpose round 1 last year. then they coulda stayed 5A and if Naz was 6A probly win 5A especially with LWW, SHG ,Montini gone and JC supposed to be down.

Hard to tell the srs to lose so the jrs can live the following year

 

[DeanOfSelection]

now round 2 they could not have lost to King even if they tried to. Round 1 they beat Rich C by 7. coulda easily dropped that LOL

 

[mc140]

Laurence should have lost on purpose round 1 last year. then they coulda stayed 5A and if Naz was 6A probly win 5A especially with LWW, SHG ,Montini gone and JC supposed to be down.

Rica could of been 6a next year if they would have lost in first round.


How many transfers did Naz add? Their upcoming Senior class just lost their best player and they couldn't even field a sophomore team two years ago with that group.

 

[chief1968]

Laurence will be 6A this year. If they were 5A woulda been the favorite

Why would they be 6a?

 

[DeanOfSelection]

Because last year the multiplier was not assessed to them since they had not won a playoff game in over 5 years (I think that's the rule). This year since they won 3 games the 1.65 will be assessed to their enrollment.

 

[McCaravan]

Rice probably has the toughest schedule in the state facing 4 teams that made it to the state final game last year. Also have a new QB.
That being said the lower levels have a ton of talent coming up. Wouldn't surprise if there are a few freshman contributing when state playoffs start.

Smallings is the best WR in the state and as long as he is in the linup, BR can play with anyone, but their Juniors coming up were average at best, they went 5-4 as Freshman and could have been 3-6, they lost to MC 51-7, I think BR will be 6-3, have a down year in 2017 with a lot of Jrs starting, then be a force in 18

 

[DeanOfSelection]

I am excited for Thomas at QB

 

[McCaravan]

Mt. Carmel is going to have a "rebuilding" year, as far as MC goes, but they do have talent. Alek Thomas is an outstanding athlete, who can take it to the house anytime he gets the ball. But he just got offered a ride to Miami FL for baseball and is honestly a possible high draft pick in the MLB draft in a few years...will he hang up his helmet to focus on Baseball? I hope not, he was only a Soph last season and was a main offensive threat. I was impressed with RB Mike Kennedy as well. Got a lot of starts in the backfield when Reis and Lewis were hurt, did a nice job. Defense has to replace a ton, and who will QB? I'd like to see Houston Griffith involved in the offense.

 

[McCaravan]

I am excited for Thomas at QB

Is that what they are thinking? I thought Thomas and Kennedy would be a good RB duo.

 

[krock the house]

BR juniors to be are sandwiched in between two very good classes, beat up on MC but lost bad to PC and SR.
The Sophs to be will have more then a few players that will contribute on the varsity.

 

[krock the house]

Griffith is more a natural QB/offensive player then defense

 

[DeanOfSelection]

Is that what they are thinking? I thought Thomas and Kennedy would be a good RB duo.

Kennedy and a soph will be up Kyle Davis

 

[McCaravan]

Griffith is more a natural QB/offensive player then defense

Agreed. He has so much athletic ability and good blood lines, I'd like to see the ball in his hands. He played QB as a Fresh and did well, having Thomas to hand the ball off too helped. But with the spread offense taking over, they may need his athleticism on D.

 

[JFelice]

Laurence should have lost on purpose round 1 last year. then they coulda stayed 5A and if Naz was 6A probly win 5A especially with LWW, SHG ,Montini gone and JC supposed to be down.

I don't believe LWW will be up. The enrollment for football is based off previous year's enrollment. So next year it will be based off the 2015-2016 school year, obviously LWW would have yet to absorb all those students. So 2017 season is the one where they go up to 6a or 7a.

 

[McCaravan]

Kennedy and a soph will be up Kyle Davis

Davis was very good. Big kid too, he's about 6'1 200..... #3, Billingsley I think was his name, at 6'5 he can play WR as a Soph on Varisty. I liked the MLB on last years Fresh team too...#45 I think. As you've said, 2017 will be a big year for MC if they stay healthy and keep playing football.

 

[mc140]

I don't believe LWW will be up. The enrollment for football is based off previous year's enrollment. So next year it will be based off the 2015-2016 school year, obviously LWW would have yet to absorb all those students. So 2017 season is the one where they go up to 6a or 7a.

All the LWs will get reconfigured due to the school closing and enrollment changing by such a large number. I think the number is a 20% change results in reclassification with updated numbers at the beginning of next year.

 

[jonathandoe]

All the LWs will get reconfigured due to the school closing and enrollment changing by such a large number. I think the number is a 20% change results in reclassification with updated numbers at the beginning of next year.

According to online district enrollment projections from D210 for 2016-17 with North closing and redistricting by feeder schools, here are the 3 remaining LW numbers:

• East up to 2867 from 2153 in 2015-16
• Central up to 2206 from 1869
• West up to 1924 from 1287.

 

[JFelice]

All the LWs will get reconfigured due to the school closing and enrollment changing by such a large number. I think the number is a 20% change results in reclassification with updated numbers at the beginning of next year.

I stand corrected, did not know that, thanks.

 

[DeanOfSelection]

Davis was very good. Big kid too, he's about 6'1 200..... #3, Billingsley I think was his name, at 6'5 he can play WR as a Soph on Varisty. I liked the MLB on last years Fresh team too...#45 I think. As you've said, 2017 will be a big year for MC if they stay healthy and keep playing football.

From my understanding, Davis, Billingsley and Barbosa are up as sophs.

 

[DeanOfSelection]

Agreed. He has so much athletic ability and good blood lines, I'd like to see the ball in his hands. He played QB as a Fresh and did well, having Thomas to hand the ball off too helped. But with the spread offense taking over, they may need his athleticism on D.

Griffith didn't take 1 snap last year. In fact they played Egan vs Morgan Park w Thompson out. Need Griffith on defense every down. In that system Thomas is perfect, can run and has great arm (#2 rated outfielder nationally in his class)

 

[DeanOfSelection]

Griffith is more a natural QB/offensive player then defense

Griffith has offers by likes of Mich St as stricltly a CB.

 

[krock the house]

Before its all said and done, Griffith will be playing some offense.

 

[cmdynasty]

Kennedy is an awesome RB. I was sad that he didn't go to Crete Monee (selfish act on my part!) But I am happy to see him excel at MC. Coach Lenti and his staff have done a wonderful job with him.

I am looking for Crete to be a force this year. The skill players they have back are exceptional players with experience from last season. They are very hungry! 6A will be fun to watch this year. I got a look at Crete schedule. Very tough non-conference games: TF South, Brother Rice, West Lafayette (State Runner-up in Indiana) and travels to Cahokia for its Final game. They will be playoff ready for sure.