EDGYTIM.com previews the 2017 Joliet Catholic Academy Hilltoppers here. For more in depth preseason coverage including state wide team coverage along with daily recruiting news and updates, make sure to subscribe to the EDGY Nation today.

School: Joliet Catholic Academy

Mascot: Hilltoppers

Conference: East Suburban Catholic Conference

Team Twitter: @HilltoppersFB

Head Coach: Jake Jaworski

Assistant Coaches: Dave Douglas Jimmy Sharp Jake Ziesmer Mark Mettille Josh Greenback Tim Swanson Chris Kinsella Cory McLaughlin

2016 results: 1-8 (1-6 ESCC). The Hilltoppers failed to qualify for the IHSA state playoff field in 2016.

2017 Joliet Catholic Academy Hilltoppers schedule

@ Geneva

Wheaton North

St. Patrick's

@ Notre Dame

@ Marian Central Catholic

@ Nazareth

Benet

Marian Catholic

@ Marist

Returning Offensive Starters

Ke'von Johnson 5'8 160 RB 2018

Keenan Hailey 5'8 190 RB 2019

Simon Grashoff 6'1 215 TE/RB/LB 2018

Mike Butler 5'10 215 RB/LB 2018

Shane Raber 6'1 295 OL/DL 2018

Colin Cox 6'2 280 OL 2019

Ryan Laule 6'0 270 OL 2019

Ty O'Janovac 6'3 240 OL 2019

Dave Monnot 6'6 250 OL 2019

Returning Defensive Starters

Scott Fosen 6'5 210 DE 2019

Fernando Chavez 6'0 195 LB 2019

Alec Penteris 6'2 175 DB 2018

Chris Kosinski 5'11 180 DB 2018

Newcomers to Watch

Max Briscoe 6'1 185 LB 2019

Kurt Weis 5'9 165 DB 2019

Mundo Meyer 5'9 165 DB 2019

AJ Water 6'2 320 OL/DL 2018

2017 Joliet Catholic Academy Hilltoppers summer Camp/7on7 plans

USF 7on7 6/15

Bolingbrook 7on7 6/20

Bolingbrook 7on7 7/11

Top Impact Player for JCA in 2017? Senior RB Ke'von Johnson has been the Hillmen's most productive player over the past few seasons. As long as Johnson can stay away from the injury bug he has a chance to put up some big numbers and a big senior season in 2o17.

Biggest Concern heading into 2017? Can the Hilltoppers put 2016 in the rearview mirror and push forward? JCA had arguably it's worst season in 2016 in decades, and that just doesn't happen on the Hill.

EDGYTIM's Way Too Early Take on the 2017 JCA Hilltoppers?

Hall of Fame head coach Dan Sharp retired from the sidelines and remains the school's athletic director. In steps former JCA player Jake Jaworski who was hands down the best possible hire for the Hilltoppers program. Jaworski's first priority is to bring a new energy toi the football program and also help boost sagging enrollment in both the building and in the football program in general. JCA took it's lumps in 2016 yet was able to develop several underclassmen who saw significant playing time. If JCA (especially in 5A) can find a way to 5 wins in 2017 they could be a real dangerous team in the 5A state playoff field.

EDGYTIM's Way Too Early regular season record prediction for the JCA Hilltoppers? 5-4/4-5