Restoring Glory: North Chicago Warhawks Fall Season Preview

Wilton Hill has his eyes set on returning the North Chicago Warhawks to their glory days as he enters year three as the head coach of the Warhawks. "The energy is different heading into this season," said Hill. "During the blackout week, our athletes were getting up in the morning and still getting work in on their own. We actually had to tell them to chill out and take it easy, and that's something I haven't seen or had to do in years. It makes me feel good as a coach because our athletes are finally starting to buy in, and I think the buy-in from this team could be the start of something special that continues and leads us down that path of success, which is where we want to be." Hill's first season as the Warhawks' head coach was a success as the team returned to the playoffs after a six-season playoff drought. "There was a tremendous buzz around the city when we went back to the playoffs my first season as head coach," said Hill. "We wanted to build off that momentum, but unfortunately, the pandemic kind of knocked us back to square one. Going into year two we had to deal with all the challenges that COVID brought along. From not practicing to parents holding kids out, we ultimately didn't experience much success during the shortened spring season. We would have had a really good year if not for COVID; I honestly believe last season's team was more balanced than the team that went to the playoffs in year one." Although last season was less than memorable, Hill still believes that there are positives he and his returning players can pull from the COVID season. "The kids appreciate it more," said Hill. "They don't take it for granted, and they understand now more than ever that the game they love can be taken from them in a blink of an eye. More kids are starting to come out and since our season pretty much just ended in May, a lot of the concepts and plays we were running are still fresh in their minds. It's a nice energy going on right now, and I'm excited for our kids to take the field." So without further ado, let's look at some of the key returners/newcomers who will be taking the field as the Warhawks' season approaches. <h3><em><strong>Key Returners</strong></em></h3> <h6><strong><em>Quardale Maggett | ATH | '22</em></strong>/ <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11106313/6085c5664debb114cc2e3340">Quardale Maggett Highlights</a></h6> <h6><em><strong>Naz Young | WR/OLB | '22</strong></em>/ <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2FYaZ7">Naz Young Highlights</a></h6> <h6><em><strong>Andre Illidge | ATH | '22</strong></em>/ <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2FRaTC">Andre Illidge Highlights</a></h6> <h6><em><strong>Curtis Norwood | OL/DL | '22</strong></em>/ <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2FPLTa">Curtis Norwood Highlights</a></h6> <h6><em><strong>Quammar Duty | OL/DL | '22</strong></em>/ <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11263182/6083b1724debb114cc2d350e">Quammar Duty Highlights</a></h6> <h6><em><strong>Shalen James | ATH | '22 </strong></em></h6> <h3><em><strong>Key Newcomers</strong></em></h3> <h6><em><strong>Shadon Mays | DL/OL | '23</strong></em></h6> <h6><em><strong>Michael Reed | LB | '22</strong></em></h6> <h6><em><strong>Genaro Vegara-Bravo | ATH | '24</strong></em></h6> <h3><em><strong>Potential Breakout Players</strong></em></h3> <h6><em><strong>Shadon Mays</strong></em></h6> <h6><em><strong>Quammar Duty</strong></em></h6> <h6><em><strong>Curtis Norwood</strong></em></h6> <h6><em><strong>Naz Yung</strong></em></h6> <h3><em><strong>North Chicago Warhawks 2021 Fall Schedule</strong></em></h3> 8/28 @ Waukegan 9/3 @ Zion-Benton 9/10 @ Antioch 9/17 vs. Lakes 9/24 @ Round Lake 10/1 vs. Grayslake North 10/8 vs. Wauconda 10/15 @ Grant 10/22 vs. Grayslake Central <h3><em><strong>Warhawk Fun Facts</strong></em></h3> *The North Chicago Warhawks have produced three NFL players in the past thirty years: <em>Johnny Johnson- (Detroit Lions)</em> <em>Michael "The Burner" Turner- 2X pro-bowler, 1X first-team All-Pro; (San Diego Chargers, Atlanta Falcons)</em> <em>Obrien Schofield- 2014 Super Bowl Champion (Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks)</em> *The 2005-06 Warhawk team set a school record with 10 wins, lost to Sacred Heart-Griffin in the IHSA state semi-final game. *Current Head Coach Wilton Hill played QB and LB for the Warhawks. *Head Coach Wilton Hill's favorite all-time Warhawk is Chris Brackens.