EDGYTIM.com previews the 2017 West Aurora Blackhawks 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: West Aurora

Mascot: Blackhawks

Conference: Upstate 8 Valley

Team Twitter: @WABlackawkFB

Head Coach: Nate Eimer

Assistant Coaches: Tony Melchiori Joe Howell Mike Runge Bob Fowler Charlie Graves Nate Banks Ron Murphy Alex Shaw

2016 results: 9-1 (5-0 Upstate 8 Valley). The Blackhawks made the Class 8A state playoff feld and lost to eventual state champon Mane South in opening round acton.

2017 West Aurora Blackhawks schedule

08/25/2017 Fri @ YORKVILLE A 7:30 PM Stadium -

09/01/2017 Fri vs. WAUKEGAN H 7:30 PM Stadium -

09/08/2017* Fri @ EAST AURORA A 7:30 PM EAST AURORA -

09/15/2017 Fri vs. GLENBARD EAST H 7:30 PM Stadium -

09/23/2017 Sat @ SOUTH ELGIN A 1:30 PM SOUTH ELGIN -

09/29/2017 Fri vs. HUNTLEY - Homecoming H 7:30 PM Stadium -

10/06/2017* Fri vs. WEST CHICAGO H 7:30 PM Stadium -

10/13/2017* Fri @ BARTLETT A 7:30 PM BARTLETT -

10/20/2017* Fri @ GENEVA A 7:30 PM GENEVA

Returning Offensive Starters

Owen Thomas/OL/6'3"/265/2018

Eddie Fowler/OL/6'1"/240/2018

Ian Mooney/OL/5'11"/250/2019

JaQuan Buchanan/RB/5'9"/165/2019

Dylan Bernal/WR/6'3"/175/2018

Moshe Rogers/WR/6'3"/175/2019 \

Travon Tittle/RB/5'11"/210/2020

Returning Defensive Starters

Cam Lewis-Walker/DL/5'11"/270/2018

Fabian Barth-Alonzo/DL/6'2"/265/2018

Malik Strickland/DB/5'11"/165/2018

Zach Jacobsen/DB/5'11"/180/2019

JaQuan Buchanan/DB/5'9"/165/2019

Dylan Bernal/D/6'3"/175/2018

Newcomers to Watch

Denver Warren DL/6'3"/290/2020

Kam Moore RB/6'0"/180/2018

Alex Gomez OL/5'11"/280/2018

Kelvin Balfour DL/TE 6'3"/185/ 2020

Dee Spivey RB/5'11"/185/2019

Hezekiah Slater RB/6'1"/200/2019

Braxton Mays DL/6'3"/280/2018

2017 West Aurora Blackhawks summer Camp/7on7 plans

Red Grange 7on7

West Aurora Battle of the Big Butts linemen challenge July 21

Top Impact Player for West Aurora in 2017? Senior RB/DB JaQuan Buchanan will be asked to step into the role and shoes of the Cross twins (Dequan and DaVion Cross) this fall for the Blackhawks. Buchanan has top end speed and power and will be asked to also provide senior leadership in 2017.

Biggest Concern heading into 2017? Can the Blackhawks live up to hype after it's success from a season ago and then take the next steps in getting the program to higher ground in 8A?

EDGYTIM's Way Too Early Take on the 2017 West Aurora Blackhawks?

Any of you who are semi-regular readers and followers here know already that I really like what's going on at West Aurora. The 2017 Blackhawks might not have quite the known star power from a season ago back this fall. However, West Aurora has a ton of experience returning plus this program continues to tale positive steps forward. I see the Blackhawks again having a strong run in the regular season and then getting at least a round or two deep in the 8A field in 2017.

EDGYTIM's Way Too Early regular season record prediction for the West Aurora Blackhawks? 8-1/7-2