Just as it should be.
That’s what Aurora old-timers on both sides of town who love the sport could agree on this week as high school football opened Monday with the first day of practice across the state.
Believe ′em.
With a new season beginning, my assignment was to put together a list of 10 things to watch in 2024.
Topping it off?
1. Welcome back
West Aurora returns to the Upstate Eight Conference and resumes its series with crosstown rival East Aurora following a five-season sabbatical.
“To any kid who has played in Aurora, one of the most memorable things is the East-West game,” said West Aurora graduate Nate Eimer, who has coached his alma mater since 2011.
“It’s a shame we couldn’t get it played these last five years. I’m 41, and I can tell you details of the three I played in. And any time guys I played with or against get together, their experiences in that game are sure to come up.”
Eimer is 8-0 coaching against the Tomcats, extending his program’s winning streak to a record 18 straight in a series that dates to 1893. The Blackhawks lead 66-48-12, but Eimer has seen both sides. The last time the Tomcats prevailed — 26-23 in 2000 — Eimer was a senior.
When West Aurora departed the Upstate Eight for the Southwest Prairie West in 2019, neither team had the flexibility to schedule the other since both were limited to playing conference rivals.
East Aurora coach Nick Kukuc calls a play against Elgin during an Upstate Eight Conference game at Memorial Stadium in Elgin on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
East Aurora coach Nick Kukuc, preparing for his seventh season, coached against Eimer’s Blackhawks in his first season, a 51-0 loss.
The Tomcats have steadily improved, however, and last year ended a decades-long drought, making the playoffs for the first time since 1982. It was also the first time both teams made the playoffs in the same season.
“It’s had a big effect on our program,” Kukuc said. “There’s more confidence among our athletes. We have to understand we have to continue to work because we won’t surprise anyone.”
The teams will meet Oct. 18 at East Aurora in Week 8 of the regular season.
2. Coaching carousel
The area has five new coaches, although two — South Elgin’s Pat Pistorio and Streamwood’s Don Guindon — are returning to posts they previously held.
Pistorio, who coached the Storm from 2013 to 2017 before moving on to Niles North, returns to replace Dragan Teonic, who is now on Cary-Grove’s staff. Guindon coached the Sabres from 2015 to 2019.
Adam Guerra replaces retired Dan Thorpe at Marmion, Adam Pucylowski takes over at Waubonsie Valley and former Streator coach Kyle Tutt leads Plano after Rick Ponx returned to the college ranks to join the Benedictine staff.
3. Georgia on his mind
It’s always big news when local players landing offers from Power Five schools. The biggest of the offseason came in mid-June when Geneva wide receiver Talyn Taylor committed to Georgia.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Taylor was limited by injury to six games last season but caught 32 passes for 512 yards and seven touchdowns. In July, the four-star recruit committed to playing in the 2025 All-American Bowl following his senior season.
“He’s up there,” Vikings coach Boone Thorgesen said. “I get asked a lot, but yes, he’s the real deal. To put it in words, he does things you can’t coach. He’s elite — the total package.”
Geneva’s Talyn Taylor (1) returns a kickoff in the second half against Geneva during a DuKane Conference game in Geneva on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
4. Big shoes to fill
Playoff regulars Batavia and Kaneland have to replace veteran quarterbacks as three-year starter Ryan Boe has moved on to Northwestern and four-year starter Troyer Carlson will be at Wisconsin Whitewater, respectively.
5. Week zero scrimmages
Coaches traditionally hold an intrasquad scrimmage the Friday before their season openers but have another option this year against another team featuring 12 plays for each team in both halves with referees and no kickoffs, punts or special teams.
Eimer said West Aurora will square off with Oswego East “because it will feel more like a real game than the intrasquad thing. I’m kind of psyched about it.”
Thorgesen is holding off.
“We had a couple offers, but I didn’t want to travel,” Thorgesen said. “From the coaches I’ve talked to, I think participation will be about 50-50. We may do it in the future, but with new turf and track being put in this summer, I wasn’t sure about scheduling it this year.”
6. Changing it up
A fun exercise every year is to see who your favorite team plays in nonconference games if it’s a scheduling option.
Interesting matchups include Batavia at Glenbard West, then home vs. South Elgin, which opens at home with Barrington.
St. Charles North starts with Palatine and Crete-Monee, while Oswego has games against Neuqua Valley and Joliet Catholic.
7. A gauntlet
With teams in eight classes, determining strength of schedule is difficult, but Mike Thorgesen and Kaneland have a tough road.
The Knights will face nonconference foes Washington (11-2), Wauconda (8-3), Belleville Althoff (10-2) and DeKalb, a 6A team that went 3-6 playing mostly 8A teams. Conference games include Rochelle (7-4), Sycamore (9-2) and Morris (11-1).
8. Yikes!
Catch them if you can.
Taylor has company with plenty of talent at receiver in the area. West Aurora’s Terrence Smith has 16 offers, including three from the Big Ten, after catching 59 passes for 906 yards and 11 TDs.
Keep an eye on South Elgin senior Ishmael George, St. Charles East junior Sheko Gjokaj and Batavia senior Isaiah Brown.
West Aurora’s Terrence Smith (23) heads to the end zone in front of Oswego East’s Andrew Karsten (29) during a Southwest Prairie Conference game in Aurora on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
9. Player of the Year contenders
Oswego linebacker Carson Cooney, an Iowa recruit, and St. Charles North quarterback Ethan Plumb top a list of serious contenders for honors as the area’s best player.
10. Comings and goings
Transfers include Aurora Christian quarterback Jalen Carter to Wheaton St. Francis and Marmion linebacker Gavin Burt to hometown Geneva.
