The Twitter previews: 2021 football

Coaches, email mikeclarkpreps@gmail.com with info or corrections.

Bartlett: 14 starters back: TE Alec Palella; LBs Brenden Gran, Max Nordlund, Nick Mangoni; DB/WR Nick Bucaro; OL/DE Dan Angelone; WRs Hayden Angell, Nick Kantzavelos; DB Alex Becque; OLs Thomas Hubbard, Nathan Tomaso, Michael Kmiecik; DE Joey Latrofa; OL/DT Charlie Nicoll.

Batavia: 7A quarterfinalist returns LB Matt Weerts (Arizona), WR Trey Urwiler (NIU), OT Jackson Heeringa (N. Iowa), TE Jack Valente (EIU), NG Breyden Ford (Valpo). Also: QB Kyle Orioni, WR Jack LaCasse, C Gabe Millane, DT Eric Sartain, DT Fikayo Afolarin, LB Ethan Ethridge.

Benton: High hopes after 9-2 team reached 4A 2nd round, had new turf field, scoreboard installed. Watch QB Keegan Glover (1,650 total yds, 29 TDs), WR Aidan Newcomb (10 TDs), OL/DL Logan Williams, WR/DB Chase Thomas (66 tackles).

Bulls Prep: Former DC Tom Mannix promoted to head coach of rising program moving up from Intra-City/Noble. Keep an eye on QB/DB Jalen Kimbrough, EB Davonte DeMary, LB Deon Johnson, WR/DB Pierre Watts, LB/TE Jahkeyleon Baker.

Cary-Grove: 6A quarterfinalist returns 6 starters each on offense and defense, including OLs Nathan Gamez, Zach Stolz, Joe Swanson and DBs Gyanni Kanellskis, Anthony Lamantia, Nathan Splitt, Toby Splitt. Numbers great with 35 juniors, 115 total in program.

Chicago Academy: New coach Anthony Dotson has 10 returning starters: WR/DB Andrew Morgado, RB/LB Hector Ramirez, LB Marco Olivero, DT/OL Rudolph Diaz, WR/DB Damian Carrero, C Anthony Rivas, DE Abdallah Ahmad, DB Earnest Davis, S Nathanial Gayles, QB Jevohn Jasper.

CL South: 10 starters back for 6A qualifier: QB Justin Kowalak, WR/DB Brock Jewson (2-way), LB Shane Moran, OL Nate Compere, RB/WR Nathan Van Witzenburg, WR Gavin Giedja, LB Ian Burke, DL Gabe Wisler, LB Joey Mikulec.

DG North: After reaching 7A 2nd round last season, Trojans will be young. Leaders include LB Drew Bielawski, DE Brenden Truett, DB Danny Bancoro, OL Will Janka.

DG South: WR/CB Eli Reed a rising star. Other starters back: RB/LB Rashon Murff; OLs Nick Schmidt, Jaylen Welch; WR/DB Patrick O'Neil; RB/OLB Richie Pacenka; LB/FB Ethan Monaco; TE/OLB Mack O'Halloran; DBs Chris Gasman, Drey McGrew.

Eisenhower: 12 starters back, including all four LBs, from 7A qualifier. Watch QB Nashon Jackson, WR/LB Keylan Sanders (69 tackles), WR Taijon Barry, LB/RB David Hemphill, DB/WR/RB Jhajuan Lott, DL Jonathan Munoz, OL Diego Esparza.

Evanston: 14 ret. starters lead best team in years. LB/RB Sebastian Cheeks a big-timer. QB Sean Cruz, OLs Zach Myers, Josh Hartwell, Sebastian Bowers anchor offense. Also watch TE/LB Connor Groff, LB Ricardo Salinas, WR/LB Jerimiah Lasley, TE/DL Jamari Jenkins, DL Sebasian Ball.

Fremd: Five 3-year starters back from MSL West champ that reached 8A 2nd round: DB Joe Rattin, LB Trey Casella, LB Jason Haas, QB Ryan Saxe, OL Jack Walsh (Wyoming). Also watch LB Chris Skaria, DL Will Kristo, OL Brian Clay, WR Cade Cheripka.

Hoffman Estates: 16 starters back. CB/WR Jashawn Johnson a 2-way star. Seniors to watch include DEs Tristian Schroeder, Mike Brown; LBs Liam Love, Kyle Frymire; S Jaelyn Williams; OLs Miguel Bonilla, Khamari Chaney; RB Mekhi Williams; WRs Damian Pierkowski.

H-F: 12 starters back for coach Craig Buzea's last season: OLs Brian Smith, Izuchukwu Ozoh; TEs Daniel Ballard, Tywan Wilson; RB Sean Allen; WRs Myles Walton, Riley Flournoy; DL Justin Thomas; LBs Jaylen Olokun, Malik Jones; S Stacey Terry, K Ethan Lindquist.

Jacobs: Brian Zimmerman takes over for Bill Mitz, who retired. 10 starters back: WR Max Stec (19.9 y/c), RB/DE Nasir Canty, TE/LB Ryan Golnick, OT Joe Volenec, OT Ben Lubely, C/DL Kyle Koziel, DB/WR Jaiden LaRoss, OT/N Antonio Carlos, DT Dylan Martinez, LB/DL/FB Aidan Roberts.

Johnson: Andrew Frierson takes over. Keep an eye on QB Jylen Profit, WR/DB Marvel Williams, OL/DL Ibrahim Soumahora, WR/LB Christian McCorkle, OL/DL Will Anderson, WR/DB De'Laneo Stigger, EB/LB Wayne Sanders, RB/LB Reggie Redmond, WR/DB Devontaye Walker, OL Gabriel Creamer.

Lake Park: Former Maine West coach Jason Kradman takes over a team that returns 6 starters. Watch QB Nathanael Merchant, DL Cooper Cerese, RB Micah Flagg, LB Jack Boesen, WR Alex Fitzpatrick.

LW Central: Hoping to improve with 12 starters back: OL John Babich; QB Turner Doran; RBs Ethan Rossow, Carter Bojan; WRs Charlie Graefen, Nolan Recker; K/P Jake Andjelic; DLs Kyle Shalati, Braden Barrett; LBs Cory Fulkerson, Vinny Zarlengo; DB Jack Duvall.

Lincoln Park: 7A qualifier should be strong on both lines. DE Arman Oshana had 15 sacks last season. Junior Jalen Tripp, a 6-4 WR/CB, one to watch.

Loyola: Most returning talent/starters in John Holecek's 15-year tenure, though OL Josh Kreutz out w/injury. Watch OT Conor Clyde, OLB Liam Conaghan, OLB Braden Mullen, RB Vaughn Pemberton, DE Brandon Svets, K Nate Van Zelst, DB Marty Auer, WRs Aidan Brownlee, Perrion McClinton.

Mundelein: LB/FB Rudy Osornio leads a veteran group. Also back: RBs Shawn Patrick, Joey Foreman, Luke Pietrusiewicz; WRs Syam Atade, Alex Wing; OLs Garrett Avis, Nate Zepeda, Ian Koszuta, Jake Prejna. LB and DB corps also experienced.

Naperville Central: WR Reggie Fleurima is one of state's top juniors, Aidan Ellison an elite kicker. 2 key transfers: QB Jaden McGill (OPRF), RB/DB Antonio Torres (Waubonsie). Watch: WR Keon Green, OL Nate Klingman, LBs Shane Roth & Luke Peterson.

Oak Park: Young Huskies will rely on ATH Naalyee Bryant; DLs Amarion Jones, Nuri Banks; LB Jake Birmingham; ATH Jemari Smith-Payton; WR Eric Locke; RB Kelby Gray; LB/TEs Henry Spillane, Henry Thompson; OL/DL Cole Roberson; RB Demetrious Dortch; ATH Timothy Spillane.

Prairie Ridge: 6A runner-up led by FB/LB Carter Evans (E. Mich.). Taidghin Trost shifts from RB to QB. OLs Ryan Pearson, Jack Schnoor, Andrew Renteria are returning starters. LBs Matt Fryer & Tyler Crawford, DL Patrick Gartner, DBs Mason Loucks & Ty Baker also back.

Providence: Young up front, but good experience at skills. Watch TE/DE Jameson Geers (MInnesota), RB/LB Aaron Vaughn, QB/WR Kevin Conway, WR/DB Michael Alvarado, DB/WR Dakota Straight, WR/DB Braden Garrigan, LB Andy Degner. OL/DL Kevin Spelman a move-in from Ohio.

Richards: 6A quarterfinalist young but could be even more talented than ‘18 semifinalist. Starters back: OL/DL Nick Pierce, LB Tayo Idowu, LB Aidan Wise, DL Jordan Tooles. Watch WR Santiago Rios, DB/WR Travis Garmon, RB Jadon Wilson, ATH Donnie Burton, RB Michael Maura.

St. Laurence: Reigning Prep Bowl champs have 3 D1 signees: QB Darius Wilson (Army), CB Aaron Wofford (W. Michigan), WR Jalen Hamilton (Dayton). 2 more to watch: LB Ryan Carroll, OL Aiden Anderson. Offense is experienced, defense has new faces.

St. Viator: 24 seniors back led by OL/DL Jeremiah Pittman, an Iowa recruit. Others to watch: WR PJ Scales, RB Lucas Barisas, LB Daniel Niesman, OL/DL Brandon Taylor, QB Jack Ziebka, WR Joe Laterza, DL Alec Scislowski, LB Carson Eggebraten.

Taft: Public League program on the rise led by solid senior group: RB/DB Israel Oke-Diran, QB Danny Loch, TE David Loch, WR/S Justin Gniedziejko, LB/TE Ryan Porebski.

TF South: 7A qualifier experienced across the field. Returnees include TB Wilson Buckley, 6-4 QB/LB Isaiah Lewis, WR/CB Devion Goodson, DE CJ Davis, 6-3 WR/DE Chris Cox, CB Davion Harris, S Ethan Pryor, DT Myles Watson, NG Walter Quinn, WR Joe Turner, K Cristian Luna.

Tinley Park: Juniors were 8-1 as freshmen, gained varsity experience last season. TE Evan King (6-4/230) moves to QB. Watch RB/WR Jack Butler, LB Matt McCarthy, S Sam Okewole and OL/DLs Matt Fernandez, Ezzelldin Sabah.

Vernon Hills: 10 starters back from 'D' that allowed 150 yds/game, set 9 school records in 2019: DLs Justin Morris (Ball St. signee), Vito Accettura, David Mun; LBs Ryan Mann (NIU), Jackson Wiegold (Ball St.), Josh Ludolph, Erik Rimas; DBs Luke Lutgens, Kamrin Martin, Alec Gil.

Warren: Returning 8A runner-up young but talented. Returning starters: OL/DL Tommy Mattheson, OT Gus Krnich, WR/DB Luther Thompson, LB/RB Malachi McNeal, DB/WR Marc Davis, QB Phil Hird, FS Matt Stack. LBs especially solid.

West Aurora: Blackhawks started 5 sophs on varsity last season and will be young again, but improved up front. Watch DE/TE Caleb Dietlin, WR Matt Brown, LB Tim Hancock, DB/RB Savion Little, RB Jeremiah Johnson, OL Clay Caragher, DB Austin Pierce, 6-5 WR Chris Stinson.

WW South: 7A quarterfinalist brings back 11 starters: QB Parker Brown; WR Kaleb Clousing; OLs Nick Walker, Max Jablonski; DL Connor Kelly; DEs Micah Roberts, Jaylen Brown; CBs Dan Healy, Max Wilson; FS Ryan Frank; LB Tommy Barnett. K Jack Olsen tough to replace.