EDGYTIM.com's 2016 Prediction Southwest Suburban Conference
+Homewood-Flossmoor
*Lincoln-Way East
*Bolingbrook
*Lincoln-Way West
*Lincoln-Way Central
*Bradley
*Lockport
Sandburg
Thornton
Andrew
Thornwood
Stagg
Thornridge
+denotes predicted 2016 conference champion
*denotes IHSA state playoff projected qualifier
EDGYTIM.com's Southwest Suburban Conference thoughts
The Southwest Suburban Conference is now lumped into one gigantic grouping with the departure of the Joliet schools to the Southwest Prairie. So what remains of the Southwest Suburban? The combination of both the old Blue and Red divisions creates some interesting schedule making this season. So what happens after 2016? Lots of intrigue and rumor mill talk to say the least. I fully expect the potential changes in the Southwest Suburban Conference to be one of the bigger storylines all season and beyond.
Homewood-Flossmoor and head coach Craig Buzea won't have the overflowing numbers this season (from say 85 to maybe 65-70) yet the roster has never been more loaded for the Vikings. H-F welcomes back 9 starters (4 offense 5 defense) yet like most seasons the roster in waiting is as impressive as any in the state. Keep an eye on the Vikings offensive line and run game this season. H-F bring back three starters on the offensive line including senior John Michael Schmidt (Western Michigan) and senior Jameez Kimbrough (Central Michigan). The running back spot is packed with the combination of junior RB/DB Justin Hall, senior RB Tyler Nutall and Stagg senior transfer RB Hubert Hughes. The Vikings also have another D1 receiver in senior Ty Ritchie. The Vikings also bring a ton of speed to the defense in LB Montreal Blade plus DB Justin Hall, senior OLB Tyler Demantra and senior DE Dylan Smith. Biggest question facing the Vikings? Who's the quarterback and can H-F throw the ball consistently?
Lincoln-Way East head coach Rob Zvonar woke up one day and went from a highly successful head coach of say 60-65 players to a roster manager of 120 kids with the merging of Lincoln-Way North. The Griffins will indeed have a sideline loaded with numbers and talent this season. Several starters return from both schools this season, creating some very interesting depth charts. Senior OL Sam Diehl (Colgate) is a name to watch on a big and experience Griffins offensive line. Junior DE Devin O'Rourke (6-foot-6, 240 pounds) is a major BCS level recruit. The Griffins also had a very strong battle at quarterback this summer which included Lincoln-Way North QB Jake Arthur who's now at East.
Bolingbrook head coach John Ivlow also has an experience team back this fall. The Raiders also have a new looking offensive attack with a new offensive coordinator in Doug DiFusco who came over from Nazareth Academy. The Raiders will look towards junior QB Anthony Vespo along with junior QB/ATH Joe Coates to run the Raiders new offense. Keep an eye on senior WR Kendall Smith (Illinois) along with junior WR/DB I'Shawn Stewart and a veteran offensive line including senior OG John Ivlow plus senior OT Jack Eken. The Raiders defense is also strong and keep an eye on senior DE Izayah Green-May (Wisconsin) plus junior DT Dashaun Mallory and senior FS Zyon Bell. Biggest questions for the Raiders? can the new offensive system click and who steps in for graduated standout LB Tuf Borland (Ohio State)?
Lincoln-Way West will also add some new names from the closing of Lincoln-Way North and the Warriors are expected to again be a real threat in the 7A/6A classes. The Warriors feature 13 starters (4 offense 9 defense) and keep an eye on senior OL Nate Henry along withy senior OLB Trey Telez on defense. The West defense also welcomes over two starters a year ago from Lincoln-Way Central in LB Jake Dudeck and LB Blake Evans. The offense lost starting QB Conor Lowman to baseball so expect senior QB Cal Pohrt to take the reins.
Lincoln Way Central also brings back seven starters from a season ago yet the starters alone won't tell the Knights whole story. Head coach Jeremy Cordell has a very strong incoming junior class and expect several names from the 2018 group to contribute early on this fall. On offense the Knights will rely on senior OG Mario Rodrigues, senior FB Nico Muto and senior OT Eric Hypke. The Central defense also will see some new faces this fall. Central also was one of the better stories to come out of the annual Red Grange Classic 7on7 as the Knights played very well. Will that translate to the field? If so look out for Lincoln-Way Central this fall.
Bradley and head coach Mike Kohl had a terrific run in 2015. The Boilermakers have star power in senior RB/DB Camron Harrell (Iowa) plus senior DB Damien Williams. Bradley also has some good size back upfront with junior OL/DL Aaron Byrd and senior OL/DL Brandon Jordan. The biggest question for Bradley? Can the Boilers settle on a quarterback and also rely on it's passing game like they did a season ago?
Sandburg and first year head coach Scott Peters went to his coaching connections and has added some impressive veteran coaches to his staff. The Eagles will no question need to reload this season with just three starters back on the defensive side of the football. Senior LB Pat Brucki is simply one of the top linebackers in the south suburbs and a force inside for the Eagles. I also wouldn't be shocked to see Brucki pull double duty this fall.
Stagg and head coach Michael Fahey will need to reload quite a bit this fall having graduated 19 starters from a year ago. However the Chargers will look towards junior QB Kyle Neputy (6-foot-4, 211 pounds). Neputy will draw a ton of recruiting looks this fall after having an impressive spring and summer camp circuit. The Charles also welcome back 3 starters at receiver in senior WR Eric Kruzsynski, senior Gus Komperda and senior Kobe Davis.
Lockport and head coach Dan Starkey will look to improve upon it's 4-5 record a year ago in a season that saw Lockport make real strides late in the year. Back this season for Lockport is senior QB Ben Davis along with WR Patrick Cooper. The biggest question for the Porters is can the reload on the offensive line, which has been a strength the past two years?
Thornwood brings back a huge amount of starters and talent this fall. The Thunderbirds welcome back all 11 starters on offense from a year ago plus 9 starters on defense. Keep an eye out on senior QB/ATH Jamar Howard along with senior OT Kenyata Bates (6-foot-5, 305 pounds). If the TBirds can get off to a good start they have the potential to surprise a lot of teams this fall.
They Said It! Quotes from Those Around the Southwest Suburban
"It's a temporary solution this year. We have to get something figured out before schools start bolting."
"Walking into AD meetings now is like in the Old West....everyone is looking at each other to see who makes the first move."
"I think it's the usual suspects at the top then who know after that."
"H-F LW East and Bolingbrook to start. The other two LW schools will be good and I like Bradley and Sandburg's new staff. Lockport is also coming around."
"I liked Thornton this summer but the schedule really does them no favors."
Preseason Conference MVP?
Homewood-Flossmoor has a roster loaded with talent once again, yet I'm placing my bets on junior ATH Justin Hall as the conference MVP, that is if the Vikings indeed can pull out the title in a very crowded field. Hall, who played defensive back as a sophomore in 2015 will be asked to also play running back and defensive back for the Vikings. Hall is simply one of those "special" players who just can maker things happen whenever he get touches.
Sleeper Player to Watch?
Sandburg senior inside linebacker Patrick Brucki. Brucki, who is also a top state-ranked wrestler is simply the best linebacker in the South suburbs and a kid who you most likely haven't heard much about. Brucki is a hard nosed tackling machine who also is always around the football for the Eagles. Odds are Brucki will wrestle in college but some smart college football programs would be wise to get in on this kid.
Sleeper Team to Watch?
Lockport. Or Sandburg or Thornton or...well you get the idea. With a 13 team grouping some shuffling of teams is expected. Out of the top tier teams listed in my 2016 predicted finish in the Southwest Suburban, I'll say Lockport has a real chance of making things a bit more interesting. The Porters went 4-5 last season and I see 4 potential wins on the slate now. If the Porters can squeeze out 1-2 other wins (very possible) they could be a nice story.
Toughest Overall Schedule?
Bolingbrook. The Raiders open up against two straight state champs in Glenbard West then at Bishop McNamara. Bolingbrook then also retains H-F, Lockport and LW East from Blue play while also adding two potential playoff teams in LW Central and Bradley.
Top 2016 Conference Games?
HF @ Lincoln-Way East September 9th -Potential conference championship game?
Sandburg @ Bradley. September 16th - Good early test for both teams here.
Bolingbrook @ H-F. October 21st - Round 1 of the IHSA state playoffs....a week early.
Wanna talk more about this conference? Make sure to check out and talk about the Southwest Suburban conference on the EDGY Nation Premium forum after each Conference Call and let us know your thoughts on this conference race!
