Blaise LaVista has spent the last two seasons as the top receiver for one of the best quarterbacks in the state. LaVista plans to do that again this fall, just with a new quarterback at a new school.
LaVista, who earned Illinois High School Football Coaches Association all-state honorable mention honors last fall at Libertyville, is transferring to Lincoln-Way East.
He will spend his senior season teaming up with an old friend — Oregon recruit Jonas Williams, the Griffins’ star quarterback who transferred in from Bolingbrook before last season.
“Jonas and I have been close for a while now,” LaVista said. “Our chemistry is already great. We played two years of 7-on-7 together in the summer. We played basketball together from sixth grade until freshman year.
“It’s definitely not a bad switch.”
LaVista said he will start school this week at Lincoln-Way East, having recently moved into the district with his father.
LaVista, who has offers from Akron, Marshall and Toledo, shined the last two years in an explosive offense at Libertyville, which was led by all-state quarterback Quinn Schambow.
As a sophomore in 2023, LaVista hauled in 47 catches for 1,091 yards and 15 touchdowns. He blew those numbers away last fall, finishing with 60 catches for 1,447 yards and 24 TDs. He also played defensive back for the Wildcats.
Schambow, an Oklahoma State baseball recruit, is set to graduate this spring.
“I’m blessed to get to play with probably the two best quarterbacks in the state,” LaVista said. “Quinn is one of my best friends outside of football and I love him a lot. Losing him was a big hit.
“Now, going to play with Jonas, Jonas is as close to Quinn as you can get. I think they both do the same stuff.”
LaVista is certainly thrilled to join another all-state quarterback in Williams, who is ranked as the No. 4 dual-threat quarterback in the country by Rivals.com.
“I think Jonas is obviously a different breed,” LaVista said. “He’s an amazing player. He reads the field amazingly. His arm is crazy. It makes my life so much easier. Like with Quinn, I thrive when a quarterback is able to get me the ball.
“Those are probably the two best guys in the country, I think, to do that.”
LaVista said it has been a hectic time for his family, and he expects that attending school at Lincoln-Way East will be quite a change.
“I think Lincoln-Way East is double the size of Libertyville, so it’s a little bit of a big move,” he said. “I’m excited, though. I feel like there’s no better place for me to develop.
“I get to play with someone who is one of closest friends and I’m excited to be around a different type of culture.”
As far as that culture goes, LaVista said he has seen how time at Lincoln-Way East has changed Williams, who transferred around the same time a year ago.
“He was already a tremendous person, but he’s just gotten better and better as a person and a player and that stood out to me,” LaVista said. “Lincoln-Way East is like a Division I program in high school. People say they’re almost like a military academy.
“They treat you like an adult and hold you to a high standard. It’s a great culture. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life, especially at a high school.”
LaVista also was a sprinter on the track team at Libertyville. He said Lincoln-Way East fans can expect to see that speed on full display in the fall.
“I think I definitely a bring a really explosive type of play style,” he said. “I love having the ball in my hands. All I can say is if I get the ball in my hands, just watch me. I’ll probably score, hopefully.
“I don’t think there’s anyone that’s going to be able to stop me and Jonas. Look forward to some explosive plays.”
