April 19, 2024
Analysis | Friday Night Drive
Analysis

2019 season preview: Scouting the Central Suburban South

By FRIDAY NIGHT
Huntley linebacker Michael Talesky (6) tackles Maine South running back Danny Wolf (21) in the second quarter of an IHSA Playoff Class 8A first-round football game at Maine South High School, Park Ridge, Ill., Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. Huntley lost, 55-14.

Huntley linebacker Michael Talesky (6) tackles Maine South running back Danny Wolf (21) in the second quarter of an IHSA Playoff Class 8A first-round football game at Maine South High School, Park Ridge, Ill., Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. Huntley lost, 55-14. (Shaw Media)

Evanston

Head Coach: Mike Burzawa (12th season, 55-52)

Last year's record: 7-3

Key returners: Quadre Nicholson (RB), Quinton Ivory (OL/DL), Zach Myers (OL/DL), Connor Groff (OL), Darius Hunt (DB).

Outlook: The Wildkit offense will largely be centered around RB Quandre Nicholson, who is one of the most heavily recruited running backs in the state with standing offers from multiple Division I schools including Illinois, Boston College, Iowa and Michigan State. Evanston will hopefully be able to also get a lot of mileage out of strong two-way linemen Quinton Ivory and Zach Myers. Evanston has been a playoff team in eight of the last nine years but hopes to do more damage this time around as it has failed to advance past the first round in any of those seasons.

Glenbrook North

Head Coach: Matt Purdy (1st season)

Last year's record: 7-3

Key returners: Mike Ciss (LB/TB), Andrew Koulogeorge (WR), Louis Schaller (OL), Dylan Buckner (QB), Aver Burow (WR), Jack Carsello (OL), Drayton Charleton-Perrin (TE), Mihailo Milutinovic (OL), Miles Thompson (DE), Alex Borczyk (DE).

Notable newcomers: JR Flood (LB/WR), Matt Karis (OL/DL).

Outlook: Glenbrook North is moving from the North to the South Division of the Central Suburban, and the Spartans will face a tall task with schools like Maine South, New Trier and Evanston now added to their schedule. With that being said, coach Matt Purdy, a longtime assistant at Glenbrook North, is excited to take on the challenge, returning 10 starters from last year's playoff team. The Spartans have quality experience at quarterback, where Dylan Buckner passed for more than 1,800 yards last season.

Glenbrook South

Head Coach: David Schoenwetter (4th season, 8-20)

Last year's record: 2-7

Key returners: Chris Demirlika (WR), Andrew Gall (RB), Kyle Brattleaf (OG), Aidan Prikos (LB).

Outlook: The Titans return 15 starters this season, including their entire offensive line. Glenbrook South brings back five sophomores who started last year, an unusually high number for the program. Schoenwetter is counting on this experience to help the Titans turn things around. The schedule is not friendly. The Titans will face eight playoff teams, and open the season with Rolling Meadows (10-1) and Maine West (9-2).

Maine South

Head Coach: David Inserra (19th season, 196-31)

Last year's record: 10-2

Key returners: Peter Skoronski (OL/DL), Ryan Kilburg (WR/SS), Michael Velazquez (CB/WR), Dan Lazic (WR/CB/KR), Nate Smith (WR), Nick Karnezis (OL), Sean Hayes (QB/LB).

Notable newcomers: Liam Barry (LB), Danny Locascio (FS), Ben Triffo (LB), Johnny Palumbo (RB/LB), John Sassan (PK), Patrick Hamilton (DL/LS), Tedy Hickey (DL), Luke Leongas (QB).

Outlook: The Hawks are looking to defend as Central Suburban South champions, and the perennial playoff power has the talent to make a deep run after being ousted in the Class 8A quarterfinals last year. Peter Skoronski is Northwestern commit and one of the top offensive line prospects in the 2020 class. Ryan Kilburg, a Western Michigan commit, plays both ways for the Hawks, and is a difference maker at wide receiver and safety. Dan Lazic and Michael Velazquez also play both ways. Maine South opens the season at Glenbard West and then hosts Mt. Carmel in Week 2.

New Trier

Head Coach: Brian Doll (6th season, 40-14)

Last year's record: 7-3

Key returners: Brendan Chestnut (DL/TE), Sean McNeely (WR), David Davidkov (OL), James Hemmer (DB).

Notable newcomers: Nick Kuras (WR), Brody Roth (RB), Max Dancey (LB/FB).

Outlook: New Trier is coming off its 16th straight postseason appearance, but the Trevians will be a young team that starts around 16 or 17 juniors, according to Doll. One of those juniors will be offensive tackle David Davidkov, the second-ranked junior in the state by 247Sports.com, behind only Nazareth quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Davidkov has offers from multiple Big Ten schools, LSU, Oregon and others. New Trier will also count on senior wide receiver Sam McNeely and senior tight end/defensive end Brendan Chestnut, who both have Division III offers. The Trevians open at home against Lyons before tough road tests against Loyola and Barrington.

Niles West

Head Coach: Matt Hohs (1st season)

Last year's record: 0-9

Key returners: Antonio Murrillo, Hayden Ferrigno, Nathan Mihulet, Marcos Nateras, Nate David.

Outlook: The Wolves have had a strong offseason, according to Hohs, who takes the reins from Jesse Pierce after two seasons. Niles West returns seniors linemen Antonio Murrillo and Hayden Ferrigno, linebacker Marcos Nateras and wide receivers Nathan Mihulet and Nate David to lead the young team this year. The Wolves were outscored 369-71, and coach Matt Hohs' goal is to see "individual and team improvement every single day."