June 28, 2025
Shaw Local
Illinois High School Football NewsPhoto GalleriesSubscribeAnalysisFeaturesPodcastNewsletterPhoto Store
Alden-Hebron Giants Amboy Clippers Antioch Sequoits Ashton-Franklin Center Raiders Barrington Broncos Batavia Bulldogs Bartlett Hawks Benet Academy Redwings Bishop McNamara Fightin' Irish Bolingbrook Raiders Bradley-Bourbonnais Boilermakers Brother Rice Crusaders Buffalo Grove Bison Bureau Valley Storm Burlington Central Rockets Carmel Corsairs Cary Grove Trojans Clifton Central Comets Coal City Coalers Conant Cougars Crystal Lake Central Tigers Crystal Lake South Gators DeKalb Barbs Dixon Dukes Downers Grove North Trojans Downers Grove South Mustangs Dundee-Crown Chargers Dwight Trojans East St. Louis Flyers Eastland-Pearl City Wildcatz Elk Grove Grenadiers Elgin Maroons Erie-Prophetstown Panthers Fenwick Friars Fieldcrest Knights Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland Forreston Cardinals Fremd Vikings Fulton Steamers Geneva Vikings Genoa-Kingston Cogs Glenbard East Rams Glenbard North Panthers Glenbard South Raiders Glenbard West Hitters Grant Bulldogs Grayslake Central Rams Grayslake North Knights Hall Red Devils Hampshire Whip-Purs Harvard Hornets Hersey Huskies Herscher Tigers Hiawatha Hawks Highland Park Giants Hinsdale Central Red Devils Hinsdale South Hornets Hoffman Estates Hawks Homewood Flossmoor Vikings Huntley Red Raiders IC Catholic Prep Knights Iroquois West Chargers Jacobs Golden Eagles Joliet Catholic Hilltoppers Joliet Central Steelmen Joliet West Tigers Johnsburg Skyhawks Kaneland Knights Kankakee Kays Lake Forest Scouts Lake Zurich Bears Lakes Eagles Larkin Royals LaSalle-Peru Cavaliers Lemont football Libertyville Wildcats Lincoln Way Central Knights Lincoln Way East Griffins Lincoln Way West Warriors Lockport Porters Loyola Academy Ramblers Lyons Township Lions Maine East Blue Demons Maine South Hawks Maine West Warriors Marengo Indians Marian Catholic Spartans Marian Central Catholic Hurricanes Marist RedHawks Marmion Academy Cadets Marquette Crusaders McHenry Warriors Metea Valley Mustangs Mendota Trojans Milford Bearcats Milledgeville Missiles Minooka Indians Momence Montini Broncos Morris Morrison Mustangs Morton Mustangs Mount Carmel Caravan Mundelein Mustangs Naperville Central Redhawks Naperville North Huskies Nazareth Academy Roadrunners Neuqua Valley Wildcats New Trier Trevians Newman Central Catholic Comets Niles Notre Dame Dons Oak Park River Forest Huskies Oregon Hawks Oswego Panthers Oswego East Wolves Ottawa Pirates Palatine Pirates Peotone Blue Devils Phillips Wildcats Plainfield Central Wildcats Plainfield East Bengals Plainfield North Tigers Plainfield South Cougars Plano Reapers Polo Marcos Prairie Ridge Wolves Princeton Tigers Prospect Knights Providence Catholic Celtics Reed-Custer Comets Richmond Burton Rockets Riverside Brookfield Bulldogs Rock Falls Rockets Rolling Meadows Mustangs Romeoville Spartans Round Lake Panthers Sandwich Indians Schaumburg Saxons Seneca Fighting Irish Simeon Wolverines St Anne Cardinals St Bede Bruins St Charles East Saints St Charles North North Stars St Edward Green Wave St Francis Spartans St Patrick Shamrocks St Rita Mustangs St Viator Lions Sterling Golden Warriors Stevenson Patriots Streator Bulldogs Sycamore Spartans Vernon Hills Cougars Warren Township Blue Devils Waubonsie Valley Warriors Wauconda Bulldogs West Aurora Blackhawks Westmont Sentinels Wheaton North Falcons Wheaton Academy Wheeling Wildcats Wheaton Warrenville South Tigers Willowbrook Warriors Wilmington Wildcats Woodstock Blue Streaks Woodstock North Thunder York Dukes Yorkville Foxes

Sam Pryor anchoring experienced Kaneland line as season set to start

By Eddie Carifio

Kaneland seniors John Davis (left) and Sam Pryor got at each other during a drill at practice Tuesday at Kaneland High School. (Mark Busch - mbusch@shawmedia.com)

MAPLE PARK - According to his coach, Kaneland offensive lineman Sam Pryor hasn’t missed a beat since he last played a game almost a year and a half ago.

The circumstances of that stretch have made it quite challenging, Pryor said.

“It wasn’t easy,” Pryor said with a chuckle. “We use the school weight room here, but I eventually got myself some weights.”

The Knights are set to start their six-game season, abbreviated due to the novel coronavirus, March 20 at Sycamore. They took third in the new Interstate 8 in 2019 but made the second round of the playoffs.

Without a postseason to play for this year, a conference title is the goal, Pryor said.

“That’s the expectation,” Pryor said. “These seniors, these guys are a real special group to me. We’ve been working hard and this is what we’re going to set out to do.”

Pryor has committed to play at North Central in the fall, and was an all-state selection last year.

Pryor and John Davis will anchor the right side of the Kaneland offensive line this year - both are also on the inside of the defensive line.

“With the two of them, we’re getting close to 600 pounds,” Ryan said. “It probably is over 600 pounds of human being. They’re explosive and they’re athletic for being big guys and they’re strong. I can imagine they’re going to give fits to opposing offensive lines.”

So while workouts and contact days have been spattered since the Knights last played 487 days before their game against Sycamore, Pryor said he’s been impressed with what he’s seen.

“I think we look great. We’ve been working hard,” Pryor said. “Even this last year and change, we’ve been working hard. I’m liking how good we look.”

Considering even back in January it didn’t look like there was going to be a season, Davis said he’s just trying to make the most of the opportunity.

“This is probably going to be my last year,” Davis said. “I’m just excited I’m going to be playing ball. Last chance, you know. It feels good.”

Ryan said he likes what his running back group looks like, led by returning starter Jack McIntire. ANd with them running behind four returning starters, he thinks his team will have a potent offense.

“A veteran line certainly makes us a better football team, including an all-state player coming back” Ryan said. “I think we’re going to be a team that can score some points this year, and I think we’ll be a versatile team and we’ve got some explosive players.”

Through a week of practice, not only has the team not had any COVID-19 issues, but the Knights have been able to get outside and practice without having to resort to using the gym or hallways around the school.

“I think we’re pretty fortunate the start off the season is off to the way it is,” Ryan said. “And I feel like we’re in a good place when we last got together in October. ... The weather has cooperated and the school district did a nice job getting our field ready for us. We’ve been lucky with COVID and not having any issues. I think we’re pretty fortunate right now.”