2023 Twitter football previews

All you need to know for each team in under 300 characters.

Coaches: Make sure your team is included by sending your preseason info to: mikeclarkpreps@gmail.com. Open to all teams in Illinois.

Andrew: T-bolts were senior-heavy en route to 8A 2nd-round berth. CB Jack LoConte, OL Michael McDonough are returning starters. Also watch CB James McGinley, OL Jacob Palucki, DE Judah VanEngen.

Antioch: Sequoits are 45-3 w/ 6 titles in last 7 years in Northern Lake County Conference. As always, goal is to win league. 2 proven skills return in RB Nick Day (1853 yds, 21 TDs), WR Martin Cohen (916 yds on 62 touches, 17 TDs, inc. 2 KO return scores).

Argo: Young but talented team aims to make playoffs for 2nd straight year (which would be a program first). Back are OL/DL Abel Alvarado, WR/DBs Beandre Dugans, Dan Gil; TE/LBs Jacob Fries, Maciel Jarosz (top tackler in ‘22), Jakub Jarosz; OL Leonardo Marquez; QB Tadeo Sierra.

Batavia: Dennis Piron has 2 state titles, 1 runner-up since ‘13; says this is 1 of his best teams. DL Jordan Buckley (Ball St.), QB Ryan Boe (ND St.), LB Ben Fiegel (SIU) are D1 commits. RB Charlie Whelpley, OLs Jonathan Brown, Jack David, Nick Ruiz, Frankie Porcaro also back.

Brother Rice: 4-star jr. LB Christian Pierce ranked 310th nationally in his class. Typically tough sked includes 3 def. state champs (8A Loyola, 7A Mount Carmel, 5A Nazareth), 8 playoff qualifiers. QB Marcus Brown is a Butler commit.

Conant: Keep an eye on these seniors: ATH Cooper Hanson, ATH Lennon Johnson, QB Matt Maize, ATH Connor Minogue, ILB/OL/DL Harley Stary, OL/DL Thomas Olszewski, ATH Chad Futris.

Crystal Lake Central: 13 starters back from team that had just 14 seniors. QB Jason Penza (broken arm) missed most of ‘22 but returned to put up 6 TDs vs. Prairie Ridge in Wk. 9. OLs Nick Kozlowski, Bryan Nagel, Tommy McNeil all back, plus 4 DBs, 2LBs.

DePaul Prep: 13 starters return for Rams, who are looking to make playoffs, compete in revamped CCL/ESCC Red. Among those back: S/WR Michael Bloom, QB Juju Rodriguez. RB Titus Bautista, OLs Dom Bitz, Eric Timbo, Aidan Buino, DLs Michael Kasper, Peter Garmey.

Eisenhower: Will build around WR/S/Power 5 prospect Andre Lovett, Antonio Russell (already program rec. leader), OL Kwan Johnson. 11 starters back total. QB Nicholas Mayfield (Hillcrest transfer) one to watch also.

Elgin: Maroons are young overall but have some experience up front with T Adrian Jackson (6-4, 270), OL/DL Gabe Blaha (6-0, 265), C Robert Capuzi (5-11. 235), OL/DL Aramys Lopez (5-11. 255). RB/DB Lamyni Spates, RB/DB Fabian Ramirez, ATH Terrell Arrington also back.

Evanston: Kits eye return to playoffs after 4-5 season. Starters back: WR/DB Keron Pryor, RB Demarion Timberlake, DL/OL Destiny Ekwebelan, DB Jace Meeks, OL Declan Boutross, LB/TE Ezequiel Delgado, LB/RB Yohanness Jean-Francois, WR Emmett Robinson. Watch soph RB/LB Mike Pryor.

Fenwick: 4-star junior DL Nate Marshall has offers from Bama, 16 more. Other starters back: QB Marek Hill, RB/LB Luke D'Alise, WR/DB Elijah Romeus, WR Rowan White, WR Jalen Williams, DB Jack Paris, DB Donnell French, CB Avion Brown, WR Mikey Caccitolo.

Geneva: Impact skills back inc. QB Nate Stempowski (1844 total yds, 23 TDs), WR Tailyn Taylor (55 rec, 805 yds, 8 TDs), RB Troy Velez (745 yds, 8 TDs). LB Tommy Diamond, DE Rocco Dileonardi lead defense. OLs Nac Stoetzel, Joe Pettit, James Bucholz also return.

Glenbrook North: TE/LB Patrick Schaller is an NU commit. OL/DE Landon Lauter getting D1 interest in just 2nd year of FB. Also back: WR/DBs Jack Philbin, Graham Gottschild, Rocco Marquez; TB/DB Ryan Lee; WR/LB MacLean Mulvihill; OL/DL Mathew Gasior; OL/LB Matthew Coughlin.

Hersey: Multiple starters back on both sides of ball. Junior class has talent. 2 good seniors to build around are Iowa commit Will Nolan (6-6, 285) and ATH Carson Grove (1483 all-purpose yds, 15 TDs, 23 yds/touch).

Huntley: Goal is to not just get to playoffs, but to win games once there. 6 starters back: RB Haiden Janke (1400 yds, 12 TDs), OL Jack Crudele, DB Zack Garifo (4 INT), WR Jake Witt, DL Adam Tramuta, WR Bryce Walker (back from broken leg).

Joliet Catholic: 8 starters return from 8-3 team led by Wisconsin-bound DL Dillan Johnson (5 sacks, 4 TFL), RB HJ Grigsby (1416 total yds, 16 TDs). Also back: DB Tai Sesta, LB Max Hrvatin, LB Griffin Alessio, LB Daniel Rouse, OL Brady McKeon, OL Cameron Juricich.

Lemont: New coach Willie Hayes played on ‘07 state runner-up. Starters back: OLs Jake Katauskas (Coastal Carolina), Jake Sulzberger; QB/LB Nate Kunickis (Brown), TE/LB Al Carlson; WR/DB Jason Piskule; DL Alex Pasquale; DBs Nevan Bufka, Carter Mikolajczak; DB/WR Chase Lefevers.

Lockport: 14 full- or part-time starters back. Defense should be improved. Watch QB/LB Drew Gallagher, OL Christos Alexandros, LB Jameson Clark, LB John Sherrod. Bret Kooi, who won 2 state titles as Porters head coach, returns as OC after successful stint at Lemont.

Maine South: Senior-dominated Hawks eye deep playoff run. Good skills, big line, solid special teams. Watch QB Jack DeFilippis (20 total TDs), RB Michael Dellumo (960 total yds), WR/CB Evan Agosto, OT Zac Stoilov, FS Sam Cooper. NT Jacob Kieta, DT Tommy Behzad, K/P Ethan Stumpf.

Marian Catholic: 17 starters back led by 4-star Kansas commit/DB Austin Alexander (7 INT), WR/DB Kaleb Isom (641 all-purp yds), RB Tyler Lofton (1319 rush yds, 17 TDs), DE/OT Caden O’Neil (6 sacks, 11 TFL).

Maroa-Forsyth: A lot back from 12-1 2A semifinalist. Watch these two-way players: WR/DBs Mitch Williams, Braxton Mitchell; QB/DB Kaiden Maurer; OL/DLs Kane Eighner, Mason DeVore, Andy Munjoy, Christian Morgan, Zach Scott.

McHenry: New coach Jeff Schroeder wants program to be regular playoff qualifier. LB/RB Kyle Bowkens, TE/DL Quentin Kinshofer are top vets. OL/DL Jesse Saavedra also a high-level wrestler who qualified for Fargo summer nationals in just 3rd year in sport.

Montini: Expect bounceback after 3-6 finish. 16 starters back inc. 5 OL: JC Hayes (6-3, 280), Dario Mattiuz (6-2, 245), Mick Ranquist (6-2, 250), Colin Angelekos (6-1, 275), Sam Ostrowski (6-0, 215). Junior RB Alex Marre should pile up yards. WR/HB/LB George Asay a 2-way starter.

Nazareth: 5A champs return 15 starters: 3-year QB Logan Malachuk; OLs Cullen Craig, Luke O'Gorman, Sam Stec; RBs Ethan Enriquez, Alex Angulo; WR/DB Jimmy Penley; WR Jake Cestone; LBs Brendan Flanagan, Lesroy Tittle; DBs Jaden Fauske, Eddie McClain; DLs Nolan Daly, Gabe Kaminski.

New Trier: Trevians aim to contend with Maine South in CSL South. 14 starters back, inc. 2-way players Miles Cremascoli and Jackson McCarey, 3-sport athlete Trey Meyers. Nikola Dugandzic is an elite punter.

Niles West: 15 starters back inc. 4 3rd-year regulars: RB Joey Pantazis, OL Aidan Sebastian, OL Logan Brandfellner, DB Matei Cotofrea. Also watch twins TE/DE Jason Fowler, LB Jayden Fowler.

North Chicago: Warhawks hope to be competitive. Back: DE Jalen Bosley, G/DT Raul Chacon. Slot Kymari Daniels; LB Caleb Fitts; OLB/RB Jaylen Gordon; OL Janare Matthews; QB Lon McLendon; OL Derry Sanchez.

Notre Dame: Dons return 15 starters inc. OLs Jimmy Donnelly (6-3, 290), Ryan Losik (6-1, 250), Ricky Russ (6-0, 250) and Max Cerrado (6-2, 270), WRs Quinten Jackson and Jimmy Breen, and RBs Anthony Thome and Jack Baca. Roster loaded w/ multisport athletes.

Oak Forest: 2nd straight playoff berth a goal. Starters back are OL Nate Henderson, WR Josh Dawson, DB Landon Gallagher, DB/RB Jackson Castaneda, OL Jose Montesino, LB Adrian Vergara, LB David Klenner, OL Keshon Johnson, WR Andrew Dawson. LB Osato Odiase another to watch.

Plainfield Central: Wildcats eye 3rd straight playoff berth, something they’ve done just once before. 10 starters back from 5-5 team, inc. RB Malik Jason; OLs Ben Gonzalez, Anthony McAuliffe, Kaveon Lee, Amit Rampersaud; LB/DE Gage Leffler; LB Mason Smith.

Prairie Ridge: 13 starters back from 6A runner-up team. OL solid w/John Fallow, Angel Rodriguez, Zachary Helland. Joe Vanderweil takes over at QB, adds passing dimension. Jack Finn, soph Luke Vanderweil will be RBs. Fallow also starting on DL and S Dom Creatore is impact player.

Prosser: 12 starters back from 6-3 CPL Blue North runner-up. Watch ATH Carlos Ramirez-Deida (6.1 yd/touch), DB/WR Tyshaun Strong (4 INT), DT/FB Jayden McDonald (12 TFL, 4 sacks), ATH Phinis Hiler (3 INT), K/ATH Humberto Velazquez (45 tackles).

Reavis: After going 5-5 last season, Rams are young and could start 7 sophs. Experienced players back include WR/QB/CB Nick Gomez, OL Victor Reyes, OL Dan Berringer, RB/CB Jorden Brown.

Richards: Experienced Bulldogs eye SSC Red title. Back: LB/DL Neil Glynn; LB Ricky Pratl; DB/WR Shaun Reynolds: DL Phillip Robinson; K/P/DL Luis Perez; RB Myles Mitchell (Kent St. offer), OLs Quion Hunt, Xavier Bush; WR Ricky Lamphere. Watch QB Dijon Newman, DB Ahmad Buchanan.

Rolling Meadows: Playoff berth is a goal. WR Ben Peterman (63 rec, 985 yds, 15 TDs) is one of area’s best. Also back: WR Anthony Sansonetti, WR Ryan Chaney, OG Jack Stollfus, OG Harvey Goodwin, TE/LB Peyton Wiles, DB Jakub Krol.

St. Charles East: Experienced Saints aim to improve on 2-7 finish. Iowa-bound Bodey McCaslin (6-6, 285), Michael Malpica (6-0, 270), Gideon Kipplchick (6-5, 245), Gage Garland (5-11, 225) all back up front. QB Mac Paul, RB Brandon Swartz also return.

St. Ignatius: Wolfpack graduated a lot, jumps up from CCL/ESCC White to Green and from 6A to 8A. But some good pieces back led by 5-star Ohio St. recruit/OL/DL Justin Scott (6-5, 308), WR Clem Carey, LB Declan Boyle (5.5 TFL, sack), LB/FB Emmett Callahan (6 TFL, 2 sacks).

St. Laurence: Coach Adam Nissen eyes playoff berth with 13 starters back inc. entire OL: Jack McGeehan (6-4, 265), Gio Fox (5-10, 290), Aaron Martinez (5-10, 265), Max Munoz (6-2, 230), Luke Dunleavy (5-10, 255). 2 more to watch: 3-year RB Aaron Ball, 3-year SLOT/SS Corey Taubr.

St. Patrick: 18 starters back inc. 3 all-conference picks: LB Jack Clancy, LB/WR Johnny Crawford, LB Aiden Gomez (71 tackles, 10 TFL). DB/WR Ryan Birt back after having season cut short by injury. Soph OL Eli Valencia (6-1, 280) could be rare 4-yr. varsity starter.

St. Rita: New coach (Martin Hopkins), new league (CCL/ESCC Blue) but same goal (state title, after reaching semis in ‘22). 10 starters back inc. RB DJ Stewart (1362 yds); QB Jeff Hilding; OLs Brady Courtney, Keith Sumpter; DL Ray Saffold (4 sacks); DB Zack Clark (6 INT).

St. Viator: 8 starters back: QB Cooper Kmet (younger brother of Bears’ Cole), OL Ben Konopka, ATH Dayvion Ellis, OL Ryan Hutchens, LB Phu Truong, DB Driese Raap, TE/DL Charlie Dolsen, LB Ethan Angst.

Shepard: Injuries hurt in ‘22 as 5 sophs started all year. Return to playoffs a goal. Watch OL Ernesto Hernandez, QB Jimmy Las Cola, WR Cameren Tryon, OL Jason Crowe, DB Devontrae Mosby, DB Angelo Fuller. LB Rod Garcia, RB Anthony Loughran.

South Elgin: 4-time defending Upstate Eight champs have won 24 straight in league, 20 straight at home. Has reached 8A 2nd round last 3 years. 7 starters back: OL Tommy Roath, WR Kyle Corbin, WR/LB Lucas Noworol, RB Ari Kravas, DL Jayden Hartley, FS Shawn Clausen.

Stagg: Chargers return 16 starters. Keep an eye on 3-year QB/school single-season passing leader Lebanon Gilmore (Akron. South Dakota offers), WR Cherterion Rodgers, DL Terrell Williams.

TF North: Alum Anthony Pignatiello takes over rebuilding program. Starters back: OL/DL Zion Blanton, DL Damari Dogan, RB/WR/DB Tremaine Floyd, QB/DB/WR Dominic Gradford, RB/LB Tristan Jackson, WR/DB Keilan Jones, OL/DL Alvin Lankin, RB/DB Terrion Long, OL Carlos Roa.

TF South: Expect better after 3-6 finish. Starters back: RB Christian Streeter, TE/DT Karrel Harvest, RB/LB Seneca Smith, LB Andy Ochiabutor, S Dennis Hoskin, DL Diar Fleming, LB Dylan Oliphant, DB Tailen Gosa. QB Nathaniel Smith returns after missing almost all of ‘22.

Thornwood: Tbirds short on experience but have talent. Playoffs a goal. Watch S Jaden Lee, RB/LB Chrisean Lofton, LB Mikell McGowan (20 tackles, 3 sacks), OLB Mike Sims (26 tackles), DT Joshua Stephens, DB Levontae Grissett (hurt last year).

Warren: Returning 8A quarterfinalist is young but experienced. Back: DL/TE Aidan Porreca; OLs Jaivin Young, Joey DeVries, David O’Connell; LB/RB Donovan McNeal; LB/TE Liam Wiley; DL/FBs Anthony Soto, Nate Brock; DB/WR Dajhir Gordon; DLs Jeremiah Hixson, Antonio Williams-Johnson.

Waubonsie Valley: TE/DE Julian Johnson (Minnesota commit) leads experienced group aiming to return to playoffs a year after going 0-9. Also watch WR/DB Tyler Threat, QB Luke Elsea, OL/DL Stephan Popov.

Wauconda: 11 starters back led by skills Connor Vanselow (1055 rush yds, 18 total TDs), Logan Olsen (1100 yds, 14 TDs passing), Cole Porten (363 rush yds, 5 TDs), Jake Wurster (6 TDs). Brock Pfeiffer caught 3 TDs, had 4 INT. Zac Johnson (72 tackles) another defensive leader.

West Aurora: Most talented Blackhawks team since ‘18 can make playoffs if it stays healthy. WR Terrence Smith, RB/DB Azumah Sylvester, RB/DB Michael Williams, DB/WR Jaden Williams all have D1 potential. CB DJ Douglas another one to watch.

West Chicago: Rebuilding Wildcats aim to take another step forward with experienced group. Among those back: RB Vincent Muci (800 yds, 10 TDs), WR Tommy Doyle (500 yds, 6 TDs), OLs Ean Arizmendi, Ali Nassib, Joseph Flores.

WW South: 10 starters back inc. 7 on offense. Among them: RB/LB Matt Crider (250 TDs, 3 TDs), QB Luca Carbonaro (1105 yds, 7 TDs as soph on varsity), OLs Aaron Vivar, Russell Styrkowicz. OLB Lucas Rossini had 25 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 FF last year.

York: Program on the rise returns 10 starters, eyes WSC Silver title and deep playoff run. Watch RB Jake Melion (700 yds, 14 TDs), WR Luke Mailander (32 rec, 521 yds, 5 TDs), LB Cole Ostendorf (90 tackles, 27 TFL, 11.5 sacks), LB Joey Maucieri (53 tackles), DL Joe Reiff.