Preview: Mid Suburban West
EDGYTIM.com's 2016 Prediction Mid Suburban West Conference
+Palatine
*Barrington
*Schaumburg
*Fremd
Conant
Hoffman Estates
+denotes predicted 2016 conference champion
*denotes IHSA state playoff projected qualifier
EDGYTIM.com's Mid Suburban West Conference thoughts
While the Mid Suburban West the same this season (which seems to be a rarity these days) the new non-conference agreement with the Central Suburban Conference is worthy noting. Both MSL and CSL will play four crossover non-conference games starting this fall to great support from coaches in both conferences.
Palatine basically came out of nowhere and made a deep run in Class 8A losing to eventual state champion Loyola Academy in the 8A semifinals. The Pirates and head coach Rick Splitt welcomes back 6 starters this season (5 offense 1 defense). Senior QB Zach Oles will be again a main force in the Pirates offense and Palatine also brings back a strong group of senior offensive skills including WR Jack Grochowski,, WR Courtland Cornelius, RB Joshua Turner and WR Johnny O'Shea. The biggest question remains on the Pirates defense with just LB Mackenzie Balanganyi the lone returning starter from a year ago. However, the Pirates also have a few very strong classes now at the varsity level and this is definitely more of a reload for Palatine in 2016.
Barrington and head coach Joe Sanchez has been one of the most consist winning programs in the Western suburbs in his tenure. While the Broncos have some pressing questions heading into the 2016 season this is also a pretty talented team. Keep an eye on the Broncos offensive line with three starters back led by senior OG Nick Bart. Also senior TE/WR Josh Babicz (6-foot-6, 190 pounds) is a big time threat as a receiver in the Broncos passing attack. Defensively I really like both senior DE Jackson Perkins (Navy) along with senior LB Blake Holley (Navy).
Schaumburg will bring back 12 starters from a season ago and that has to make head coach Mark Stilling smile this summer. The Saxons offense has experience back in some key spots including senior QB Justin Perez, senior three year starting WB Olijah Sally plus senior WR Terry Gray. The Saxons defense welcomes back 7 starters and it's strength will be in the back seven. Schaumburg's biggest question will be upfront on both sides of the ball with just a handful of starters back from a year ago.
Fremd graduated some key playmakers from a year ago including standout RB/S Kenney Lyke (Michigan State) plus WR/DB Cordell Finley (Grand Valley State), yet the tank is far from empty for the Vikings in 2016. Fremd head coach Lou Sponsel brings back 13 starters (7 offense 6 defense) and keep an eye on senior QB Tom Jostens along with senior TE/DE Austin Schwantz plus a big offensive line. The Vikings defense also has size upfront and keep an eye on junior DE/TE Will McCabe plus newcomers to watch junior WR/S Ben Konopka.
Conant and veteran head coach Bill Modelski will start the season as one of the most inexperienced teams in the Mid Suburban West. How inexperienced? The Cougars start the season with 22 new starters compared to a year ago.
Hoffman Estates and head coach Mike Donatucci just missed making the state playoff field a season ago. The Hawks also lost several key players to graduation from a season ago.
They Said It! Quotes from Those Around the Mid Suburban West
"Palatine is still loaded this year."
"If the defense comes around Palatine will be right back where they left off last year."
"Barrington will be fine. I saw them with a very good QB this summer and they always have skill kids."
"Schaumburg is small again but they have a ton of speed and athletes."
"Fremd just seems to get those bigger/athletic kids every year."
"Conant graduated a ton of starters this spring but Bill (Modelski) will always have them ready."
"Hoffman really hung with us last year, just not sure what they have back."
" I love the crossover games with the Central Suburban this year. They will just help us get better come playoff time."
Preseason Conference MVP?
Palatine senior QB Zach Oles. Oles might not have prototypical D1 level size and overall physical attributes, yet all Oles does is win. Oles is a real threat with the football in his hands and is equally strong in both the running game along with the play action passing attack. Oles will also be a candidate as Preseason All State player.
Sleeper Player to Watch?
Schaumburg senior wingback Olijah Sally (5-foot-11. 175 pounds) will be a rare three year varsity starter in 2016 for the Saxons. Sally is a speedy, shifty runner who will again be asked to lead the Schaumburg running game.
Sleeper Team to Watch?
Fremd. The Vikings graduated some key playmakers from a season ago yet Fremd always seems to find a way of reloading. The Vikings will again have big size upfront and if the offense can get things clicking early on this team could definitely crash the conference crown party. Also I wouldn't be shocked to see Hoffman Estates finish higher than my predicted finish here. The difference between say the bottom two teams and the mid level teams in the Mid Suburban West is minimal this fall.
Toughest Overall Schedule?
Palatine. The Pirates get no break in it's Central Suburban crossover games @ Stevenson then hosting Elk Grove, Glenbrook South and then @ New Trier. Palatine also ends the regular season @ Barrington then hosting crosstown rival Schaumburg.
Top 2016 Conference Games?
Hoffman Estates @ Conant. September 30th - The Battle of Hoffman Estates.
Fremd @ Palatine. September 30h - The Battle of Palatine.
Palatine @ Barrington.October 14th - A potential Mid Suburban West title game?
Wanna talk more about this conference? Make sure to check out and talk about the Mid Suburban West conference on the EDGY Nation Premium forum after each Conference Call and let us know your thoughts on this conference race!