State Championship Favorites: Class 8A
Loyola The Ramblers return pretty much everyone from their 2019 squad. They finished 8-4 last season, before falling in the quarterfinals to Marist. Illinois commit Josh Kreutz Josh Kreutz 6'2" | 270 lbs | OL Loyola | 2021 State IL…
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The Ramblers return pretty much everyone from their 2019 squad. They finished 8-4 last season, before falling in the quarterfinals to Marist. Illinois commit Josh Kreutz Josh Kreutz 6'2" | 270 lbs | OL Loyola | 2021 State IL will lead a fundamentally sound football team, that is used to State Title runs. They’re always a tough team come playoff time and should be among the state’s elite again.
Lincoln-Way East
The Griffins are looking for their 3rd State Title in four years and very well may have that squad. They lose superstar AJ Henning, whose off to Michigan, but they return a lot of D1 talent including senior running back Jamal Johnson Jamal Johnson 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Lincoln Way East | 2021 IL , defensive back Matt Kordas Matt Kordas 6'0" | 205 lbs | DB Lincoln Way East | 2021 IL , offensive lineman Ryan Stewart Ryan Stewart 6'5" | 250 lbs | OL Lincoln Way East | 2021 IL , and wide receiver Mason Pierre-Antoine Mason Pierre-Antoine 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Lincoln Way East | 2021 IL . The key to their puzzle could be at quarterback in Ottawa transfer Brett Galletti.
Brother Rice
Rice is a very talented team that snuck up on a lot of people last season. I don’t think that’ll be the case this fall. Catholic League Offensive Player of the Year Willie Shaw Willie Shaw 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Brother Rice | 2021 State IL returns, as does athlete Jack Lausch who I think could gain some serious division one traction with a big junior year. They playoff a tough schedule, but it should play into their favor come playoff time.
Marist
Marist had a good 2019 campaign, finishing with an 8-5 record and a semifinal birth. It’s not crazy to think they could build off last season and take it a step further. The Redhawks roster has a ton of FBS talent coming back, including Notre Dame offensive line commit Pat Coogan Pat Coogan 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL Marist | 2021 State IL , wide receiver Carnell Tate Carnell Tate 6'2" | 170 lbs | WR IMG Academy | 2023 State FL , quarterback Dontrell Jackson Jr. Dontrell Jackson Jr. 5'11" | 185 lbs | QB Marist | 2022 State IL , athlete Jovan Marsh Jovan Marsh 5'10" | 180 lbs | DB Marist | 2021 IL , and offensive lineman Deuce McGuire Deuce McGuire 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL Marist | 2022 State IL . The Redhawks have a lot of hype, and will get teams best every week. However, I think they more than up for the challenge and will be a serious threat in 8A.
Bolingbrook
Bolingbrook’s defense is just downright nasty and should be among the best in Illinois. Michigan commit Tyler McLaurin Tyler McLaurin 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Bolingbrook | 2021 State IL , and Notre Dame commit Justin Walters Justin Walters 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Bolingbrook | 2021 State IL will pace the Raiders and could form the state’s top defensive duo. John Ivlow’s squad is tremendously talented and will contend in 2020. The Raider’s will rely heavily on Batavia transfer Vincenzo Meschi, who is among the state’s top sleepers at QB.
Homewood Flossmoor
I don’t think Head Coach Craig Buzea gets enough credit for what he’s done. He completely rebuilt the HF program and made it among the best programs in the state. His 2020 team should be very good and will rely heavily on one of the state’s most exciting players, running back Sean Allen Sean Allen 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Homewood Flossmoor | 2021 IL . A September 25th game at Lincoln-Way East will say a lot about where the Vikings stand. If they can get past the Griffins, people around the state are going to take notice.
Glenbard West
Glenbard West has plenty of talent returning from last year’s 10-1 team. They suffered a tough round two loss to Loyola last fall, and I think they’re out for vengeance in 2020. Running backs Samson Zander Samson Zander 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Glenbard West | 2021 IL and Jalen Moore Jalen Moore 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Glenbard West | 2021 IL are going to be a serious issue for opposing teams. Syracuse commit Wes Hoeh Wes Hoeh 6'4" | 250 lbs | OL Glenbard West | 2021 IL , looks to be the next great Hitter offensive lineman and will be the leader of a very talented group of hog molly’s. West could enter the playoffs at 9-0 again, and I think they will make a deeper push in this year’s playoffs.