Preview: Southwest Prairie
EDGYTIM.com's 2016 Prediction Southwest Prairie Conference
+Oswego
*Oswego East
*Plainfield North
*Minooka
*Joliet West
Plainfield South
Romeoville
Plainfield East
Plainfield Central
Joliet Central
+denotes predicted 2016 conference champion
*denotes IHSA state playoff projected qualifier
EDGYTIM.com's Southwest Prairie thoughts
Oswego East and head coach Tyson LeBlanc welcomes back 13 starters from a season ago including 8 starters on offense. The Wolves also welcome Nazareth Academy transfer RB Ivory Kelly-Martin on board to an already loaded. Senior QB Jaylon Banks (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) is a true dual threat with the football and an elite level athlete. Oswego East also has a deep group of receivers who also have good size and speed. The Wolves defense also has big time potential for 2016. Two way senior standout Elijah James (6-foot-5, 270 pounds) can be a dominant player at times. Senior DB Devin Aguilar (5-foot-190 165 pounds) is also a big time hitter and cover man in the Wolves secondary.
Oswego and head coach Brian Cooney will look to reload this season especially when having to replace graduated three year starting QB Steven Frank (Florida Atlantic). Oswego however never seems to be in short supply of talent especially on the line of scrimmage. Keep an eye on senior WR Ray Chmielinski along with senior WR Elliot Pipkin and senior DB Julian Bell. Junior DT Noah Shannon is a mauler inside on the Panthers defense and senior DB Josh Shodipo is yet another name top watch.
Plainfield North and head coach Tim Kane always has the Tigers in contention. The 2016 edition of Plainfield North will look early on towards it's defense, which bring back 9 starters from a season ago. Senior S Kevin Block is also getting moved over to quarterback this season and Block is just an all around strong athlete type. Senior RB Ty Hoosman will again be asked to carry the load in the Tigers running game. On the offense live keep an eye out for Ari Ekowa, Tony Little and Nathan Lindroth ths fall.
Minooka welcomes back 13 starters from a season ago and the offense in particular will be a real strength this fall. Senior QB Johnny Carnagio will be a three year varsity starter for the Indians and head coach Paul Forsythe this fall. Carnagio has several weapons including senior WR Isaiah Hill plus Drew Turek and Elijah Williams. Minooka also brings back all five starting offensive linemen and junior OL/DL Derek Wentworth (6-foot-3, 285 pounds) is a name to watch here for the Indians. If Minooka can get a strong performance from it's defense (especially the back seven) they can no question contend for the conference crown this fall.
Joliet West comes over from the rugged Southwest Suburban Blue conference and this move will no question benefit the Tigers in several sports. The Tigers and head coach Jason Aubry welcome back 10 starters including 6 starters on offense. Sophomore QB Jaxon Aubry (6-foot-0, 190 pounds) saw valuable seat time late last season and will be much improved this fall. West also will rely on several underclassmen on both sides of the football this fall. Sophomore WR Kevon Dorris, junior WR TJ Neal plus junior OL Taje Hymon (6-foot-5, 325 pounds) are all names to watch for Joliet West.
Romeoville and head coach Oliver Gibson might have one of the conference best all around players in senior RB Jordan Nettles (NIU). The Spartans also have much better overall numbers this fall and the overall the program is heading in the right direction. Junior QB Cam Neely is yet another name to watch this fall.
They Said It! Quotes from Those Around the West Suburban Silver
"Oswego East has some real talent back and then that RB (Ivory Kelly-Martin) walks in making them even better."
"I know Oswego lost a lot to graduation but I can't count them out of anything."
"Plainfield North has as much speed and athletes as any program in the SW burbs."
"Minooka should be a playoff team again in my eyes. That QB (Johnny Carnagio) is pretty legit."
"Joliet West will surprise a lot of people. They will play much more physical than those teams in that conference will expect."
"Plainfield South has athlete but always seem to struggle finding linemen."
"I'd hate to be a defensive coordinator in that conference. Outside of say Oswego they all seem to struggle stopping anyone."
Preseason Conference MVP?
Anytime you can have a two time state champion and All State caliber running back just show up on your doorstep...let's just say that the Wolves head coach Tyson LeBlanc had a good day the day that Ivory Kelly-Martin arrived. Senior RB Ivory Kelly-Martin, who led Nazareth Academy as one of the key weapons on offense in it's 2015 5A state title run is now at Oswego East. Kelly-Martin, who is verbally committed to Iowa has a chance to pile up some big numbers this fall for the Wolves.
Sleeper Player to Watch?
Oswego always has linemen and always seems to just beat people upfront year in and year out. Oswego junior defensive tackle Noah Shannon (6-foot-1, 300 pounds) already has a high level of skills and was at times dominant in camps. Shannon will be a handful and a half for all comers this season and will hit several recruiting radar screens sooner rather than later.
Sleeper Team to Watch?
Minooka. The Indians and head coach Paul Forsythe found it's way to the 8A state playoffs in 2015 and if the defense can come around sooner rather than later this Minooka team could return to the playoffs as well as challenge for the conference title.
Toughest Overall Schedule?
Oswego East. The 2016 Southwest Prairie schedule with the additions of Joliet West and Joliet Central now eliminate all non-conference play (boo!). Oswego East gets the nod here as the toughest schedule. Why? The Wolves open the season at Joliet West then also play ion the road against Plainfield South, Plainfield North and Minooka.
Top 2016 Conference Games?
Oswego at Minooka. August 26th - Right out of the gates we'll find out exactly where both programs stand.
Oswego East at Joliet West. August 26th- See comments above. Lots of talk about message sending this summer from, both sides.
Oswego at Oswego East. September 30th - This time it's personal. Wait every time these two play it's personal so...this time it's on!
Wanna talk more about this conference? Make sure to check out and talk about the Southwest Prairie conference on the EDGY Nation Premium forum after each Conference Call and let us know your thoughts on this conference race!