A look at the top games in Week 1. We will have a full preview of the Loyola vs. East St. Louis game on Thursday.
No. 5 Maine South at No. 2 Lincoln-Way East, 7:30 p.m., Friday
Both teams have legitimate hopes of playing for the Class 8A state championship over Thanksgiving weekend. Maine South returns quarterback Constantine Coines, who accounted for 3,798 total yards and 39 touchdowns; running back Michael Dellumo, who finished with 1,328 yards and 20 TDs; and its entire offensive line, anchored by Army commit Zak Stoilov. The Hawks defense is less experienced, but does have tackle Tyler Fortis, an Eastern Illinois commit. This will be the Lincoln-Way East debut of quarterback Jonas Williams, an Oregon commit and the state’s top-ranked junior who transferred from Bolingbrook. Tight end Trey Zvonar, committed to Miami (Ohio), and running back Zion Gist (Western Michigan) are other offensive stars and edge rusher Caden O’Rourke (Northwestern) leads the defense.
No. 9 Hersey at No. 7 Warren, 7 p.m. Friday
Hersey’s last regular-season loss was a one-pointer against Buffalo Grove in Week 9 of 2021. Quarterback Colton Gumino, a UCLA commit, is one of the state’s most accurate (72% completion rate) and productive (2,488 yards, 35 touchdowns) passers. Grant Kalata, back after missing last season because of injury, is a player to watch at wide receiver and defensive back. Warren has one of the state’s most experienced teams with 19 returning starters. Junior running back Aaron Stewart, also one of the nation’s top wrestlers in his age group, ran for 1,689 yards and 19 TDs last season. The Blue Devils aren’t as big as they have been but have exceptional team speed.
No. 16 Kankakee at No. 4 Nazareth, 7:30 p.m. Friday
Kankakee graduated a pair of offensive stars in quarterback Larenz Walters and running back Tony Phillips, but still has plenty of experience on both sides of the ball. Linebacker Kennyan Chadler, an Eastern Illinois commit, leads the defense. Job one for two-time defending Class 5A champ Nazareth is playing better before the playoffs after going 5-4 and 4-5 in the last two regular seasons. This is as experienced a team as nine-time state champ coach Tim Racki has had, with five four-year starters and several three-year starters. Quarterback Logan Malachuk, edge rusher Gabe Kaminski (Stanford), defensive back Garrett Reese (Indiana) and linebacker Lesroy Tittle are among the players to watch.
No. 14 Batavia at No. 11 Glenbard West, 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Batavia’s offense is inexperienced with just one returning starter in receiver Isaiah Brown, who has FCS interest. But it’s as fast as it’s been in recent years. There are five starters back on defense led by lineman Malachi Smith, who has a Yale offer. Glenbard West also has one of its faster teams in recent years, along with loads of experience. Michael O’Connell, a 6-foot-7, 290-pound offensive lineman is committed to Northwestern. Versatile Iowa State commit Mason Ellens is a standout at defensive back, receiver and kick returner, while Teyion Oriental is a playmaker at running back and receiver.
No. 15 Morgan Park at No. 21 Marist, 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Morgan Park has emerged as the Public League’s premier program and the only one to have much success in the IHSA playoffs lately with back-to-back Class 5A quarterfinal berths. The Mustangs have an experienced quarterback in Marcus Thaxton, a talented transfer in junior receiver Nasir Rankin, and an elite secondary that includes Jahmare Washington (Wisconsin), Jovan Clark (Wyoming, currently injured) and Ahmad Grayer. This will be the Marist coaching debut of Mike Fitzgerald, fresh off a successful run at York. Brad Fitzgibbon (Iowa) and Achilles Anderson (Harvard) anchor the RedHawks’ defensive line, while John McAuliffe (Cornell) is a proven runner.