Saint Xavier University’s 25th season figures to be another successful one for veteran coach Mike Feminis and his staff. The Cougars are ranked 24th in the NAIA Football Coaches Preseason top 25 Poll and they’ll open by hosting fifth-ranked Marian, play at top-ranked Saint Francis (Ind.) and travel to 13th-ranked Robert Morris to close out regular season play.

As usual, the former University of St. Francis player and coach has loaded his team with many players from area schools. A total of 20 players who competed locally are on the roster.

Here’s a look at the state’s NAIA programs who have local players on their rosters (besides St. Francis). In addition, Division III program Illinois Wesleyan is included since its roster was not available when the story on other NCAA state schools appeared.

Saint Xavier University

Senior right tackle Justin Hunter (Joliet Catholic Academy) was first team All-American, a first team MSFA All-Midwest pick, made the MSFA all-academic team and also was selected as SXU’s offensive player of the year. Junior linebacker Omar Salazar (Plainfield East) was a second team All-MSFA Midwest League selection after leading the team with 83 tackles, including 41 solo stops, 14.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Joe Bailey (Lemont) is a senior punter who averaged 38.9 yards on 47 punts a year ago. Mike Ivlow (JCA) is a senior running back who made the MSFA all-academic team rushed for 405 yards and four touchdowns and collected 561 all-purpose yards, and senior defensive lineman Jeff Cesario (Providence) made 36 tackles and had 4.5 tackles for loss last year.

Brenton Johnson (Bolingbrook) is a junior defensive back who played at Culver-Stockton last season, where he made 30 tackles. Justin Hunniford (Providence) is a junior quarterback who transferred from North Central College and James Jacobson (Bolingbrook) is a junior offensive lineman.

Trevon Anderson (Bolingbrook) is a sophomore defensive back who made 34 tackles, 23 solo stops and intercepted two passes and Harold Davis (JCA) is a sophomore receiver who caught 12 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown, and had 314 all-purpose yards. Jarvis Carter (Plainfield East) is a sophomore defensive back, Michael Markasovic (Providence) is a sophomore receiver and Danny Saracco (Plainfield South) is a sophomore linebacker.

Kevin Block (Plainfield North) is a freshman defensive back, JJ Frey (Plainfield North) is a freshman linebacker, Jonathan Goodson (Plainfield North) is a freshman defensive back, Jack Grove (Lincoln-Way Central) is a freshman, Kyle Hassert (Plainfield East) is a freshman kicker/punter, John Ivlow (Bolingbrook) is a freshman offensive lineman and Sam Nasca (Bolingbrook) is a freshman defensive back/linebacker.

Coach Mike Feminis, who’s in his 19th year at SXU, is a 1990 St. Francis graduate and an All-American Hall of Famer for the Saints, who served as assistant coach at USF from 1990-98. Offensive coordinator Mark Yanule, who’s in his 19th season at Saint Xavier, also played and coached at St. Francis. Bill McKeon, a JCA graduate and Saint Xavier alumni, is in his second year as the defensive coordinator and St. Francis graduate Joe Marciano is also in his second year on the Cougars staff.

Robert Morris University

The Eagles are ranked 13th in the NAIA Preseason Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. Scott Kresal (Lincoln-Way East) is a senior defensive lineman who earned second team all-MSFA Midwest honors after recording 16 tackles and three sacks in 11 games a year ago.

Also for RMU, Ronald Banner (Joliet West) is a junior receiver, Matt Galounis (Lincoln-Way West) is a junior offensive lineman, Austin Goffinet (Plainfield East) is a junior defensive back and Scott Schimanski (Minooka) is a junior long snapper.

Justin Brandon (Romeoville) is a sophomore linebacker, Matt Brozovich (Minooka) is a sophomore tight end, Isaiah Bryant (Plainfield East) is a sophomore offensive lineman, Nicholas Bucci (Lincoln-Way North) is a sophomore receiver, Kenny Kirkland (Minooka) is a sophomore linebacker, Manuel Nartey (Romeoville) is a sophomore defensive back, Carson Oughton (Minooka) is a sophomore linebacker and Brandon Wilson (Lockport) is a sophomore linebacker.

Olivet Nazarene University

T.J. Layne (Morris) is a sophomore defensive lineman who played in 10 games and started seven, and had 14 tackles. Mason Southall (Wilmington) is a junior defensive back who played in five games and T.J. Alexander (Plainfield East) is a sophomore defensive back.

NCAA Division III

Illinois Wesleyan University

Senior defensive lineman Justin Krzeczkowski (Lockport) was a second-team all-CCIW pick who played in 10 games and had 17 tackles, including three for a loss. Sophomore quarterback Brandon Bauer (Lincoln-Way East) was 122 of 205 for 1,446 yards and 16 touchdown passes a year ago. And senior offensive lineman Connor Melvin (Lemont) played in seven games last year.

Also for the Titans, John Nolan (Lincoln-Way West) is a senior defensive lineman, Jake Robbins (Lincoln-Way West) is a senior receiver, Anthony Sciarini (Lincoln-Way East) is a senior kicker, John Zelenika (Lincoln-Way East) is a junior receiver, Gio Garcia (Lincoln-Way North) is a sophomore running back, Ethan Emerson (JCA) is a sophomore offensive lineman, Jake Arthur (Lincoln-Way East) is a freshman quarterback, Dave Lux (Lincoln-Way North) is a freshman linebacker and Michael LaPapa (Lincoln-Way East) is a freshman offensive lineman.