Top Teams to Watch in 2018?
So who are some of the top teams to watch for the 2018 IHSA Football season?
Sure we are still 234 days away from Kickoff 2018 but hey you it's never a bad time to talk about the upcoming season. right?
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The Usual Suspects
Loyola Academy- played several underclassmen because of various injuries in 2017. Always reloads.
The Rest of the CCL Blue- Could the Chicago Catholic League Blue become even stronger in 2018?
Lincoln-Way East- The defending Class 8A state champs are starting to feel more and more like a program on the verge of becoming dominant in Class 8A.
Nazareth Academy- The Road Runners have a loaded underclassmen group that will finally becomes seniors. Only potential issue for Nazareth Academy? Moving up to Class 7A in 2018.
East St. Louis- The Flyers will indeed be back in 20918 and might have yet another very strong underclassmen group to watch in 2018.
Edwardsville- The Tigers made a terrific run in Class 8A in 2018 and also bring back nearly it's entire offensive skills group from it's 2017 semifinal team.
Phillips- The Wildcats are loaded in the underclassmen group and will be right back at the top of Class 5A in 2018.
Homewood-Flossmoor- The Vikings and head coach Craig Buzea just reloads.
Maine South- The Hawks defense had several underclassmen starters but can they find a new starting signal caller? And is there life after Fotis?
Glenbard West- After a surprising early exit in the 2017 state playoff field I fully expect the Hitters to get after it this off-season.
Rochester- The Rockets will need to reload in some key spots (QB/OL/DL) yet when hasn't Rochester reloaded over the past decade or so?
Immaculate Conception- This small school power will be moving on up a class in 2018 but should be just fine in Class 4A.
Barrington- The Broncos always seem to reload and find themselves near or at the top of the Mid Suburban West race.
Lake Zurich/Stevenson- It's not a big reach to predict that either school will find a way to reload in 2018.
Naperville Central- The Redhawks return QB Payton Thorne along with pockets of starters on both sides of the ball. Issue? The overall schedule is brutal in 2018
Others worth your consideration?
Oswego- Lots of key underclassmen return in 2018.
Bolingbrook- Freshman QB Sam Jackson showed flashes in 2017 and the Brook is never short on skills.
Benet Academy- The Redwings bring back several key offensive skills names.
Marist- QB Mike Markett is back for 2018.
Simeon- The Wolverines will feature QB Alante Brown.
Oak Lawn Richards- Lots in place for a nice 2018 run including QB/S Sebastian Castro.
OPRF- OPRF and head coach John Hoerster very young team in 2017.
Hinsdale Central- The Red Devils bring back QB Matt Rush among others.
Buffalo Grove- The Bison were not a one year wonder and return several key underclassmen for the 2018 season.
Naperville's- Take a pick from NV/NC or NN, at least one will be strong in 2018.
Batavia- Having a strong core of starters back on defense is a good place to start for the defending Class 7A state champs.
St. Charles North- The North Stars seem to need to do a bit less reloading than rival St. Charles East, but both are watch worthy in 2018.
Lincoln-Way Central- The Knights will need to reload at several spots but the program keeps trending up.
Warren Township- The Blue Devils graduate some keys including ND signee WR Micah Jones, yet Warren is never short on talent.
New Trier- The 2017 season just didn't seem to be the Trevians year. I have a feeling 2018 will be much improved.
St. Laurence- The Vikings have proven over the past few seasons that they can and will reload.
DeKalb- The Barbs had a nice core of underclassmen back in 2018
Al Raby/Curie- The Raiders had a breakout season while the Condors are always near the top of the CPL
Too early to make a call on just yet...
Prairie Ridge- Will the Wolves have life after Superman?
Cary-Grove- The Trojans also bring back a handful of key starters in 2018 to watch.
Minooka- One year wonder or the start of the Resurgence on the Reservation?