A thrilling 2023 high school football season in the Southland was capped off by Mount Carmel winning its second consecutive Class 7A state championship.
This fall, the Caravan will go for the three-peat while the rest of the area’s schools start fresh with their own dreams of glory.
Many of last year’s stars return while there are plenty of fresh faces to keep an eye on.
As the high school football season began Monday with the first day of practices across the state, here are 10 things to watch in 2024.
1. The star recruits
Want to see future college stars and perhaps some guys who will one day play in the NFL?
Brother Rice linebacker Christian Pierce is the area’s highest-ranked senior four-star recruit, according to Rivals. Pierce is uncommitted but has offers from Illinois, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas.
Eisenhower defensive back Andre Lovett (Illinois), Lincoln-Way East defensive end Caden O’Rourke (Northwestern) and Morgan Park defensive back Jovan Clark (Wyoming) are other top players in the 2025 class.
New Lincoln-Way East quarterback Jonas Williams, a Bolingbrook transfer who recently committed to Oregon, is a four-star junior.
Junior linebacker Christian Pierce takes a break in the action for Brother Rice during a preseason practice on Aug. 7, 2023. (Gregg Voss / Daily Southtown)
2. Familiar faces, new places
Williams is not the only transfer to note. Brother Rice’s offense will be bolstered by the additions of running back Tyler Lofton from Marian Catholic and receiver Jimmie Maxson from St. Rita. Junior athlete Nasir Rankin is a huge add for Morgan Park after transferring from Whitney Young. Senior defensive back Myles Green (South Dakota State) transferred from De La Salle to Homewood-Flossmoor. St. Laurence will try to get back to state behind new quarterback Chase Kwiatkowski (Illinois State), who moved across the border from Lake Central, Indiana.
3. Coaching debuts
The most high-profile coaching move of the offseason came at Marist, where former RedHawks assistant Mike Fitzgerald takes over after going 43-17 in six seasons as York’s head coach. De La Salle has a familiar face in charge in former St. Laurence and Oak Lawn coach Harold Blackmon.
Other new coaches in the area are Connor Downs at Bremen, CJ Cesario at Chicago Christian, Vincent Holmes at Eisenhower, Jacob O’Connor at Stagg and Tramaine Weaver at Thornwood.
4. The top arms
The headliners at quarterback are the aforementioned Williams at Lincoln-Way East along with Mount Carmel senior Jack Elliott (Vanderbilt) and Morgan Park senior Marcus Thaxton. Elliott threw for 3,148 yards and 34 touchdowns and ran for 847 yards and seven TDs for the state champion Caravan.
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Randall McDonald, Sandburg’s Anthony Shelton and Lincoln-Way West’s Chase Hetfleisch are returning senior starters who have shown they’re capable of leading their teams to big wins.
Mount Carmel’s Jack Elliott (9) finishes off a TD run against Downers Grove North in the Class 7A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
5. Keep your eyes on these guys
Senior running back Myles Mitchell, who also stars at linebacker for Richards, piled up 1,278 yards and 17 TDs last season. Senior receiver Charlie Snoreck caught 77 passes for 1,153 yards and 11 TDs to lead Sandburg. Senior running back John McAuliffe (Cornell) had 1,600 all-purpose yards and 22 TDs for Marist. Lincoln-Way East running back Zion Gist (Western Michigan) and Lincoln-Way West receiver Austin Rowswell are seniors poised for big seasons.
Lincoln Way East’s Zion Gist (20) fights for extra yards against Lockport during a SouthWest Suburban Blue game in Lockport on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
6. Getting defensive
Morgan Park defensive back Jahmare Washington (Wisconsin) and Lincoln-Way West linebacker Josh Veldman (Northwestern) should shine in their final seasons before heading to the Big Ten. Providence senior Gavin Hagan, Hillcrest senior Erimus Wright and Richards senior Austin Synoga are returning all-area defensive backs. St. Rita’s Justin Buckner and Joliet Catholic’s Daniel Rouse are senior linebackers who will pile up tackles.
Hillcrest’s Erimus Wright looks for daylight against Tinley Park during a South Suburban Red game in Tinley Park on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)
7. In the trenches
Don’t forget about the big boys. Andrew senior Michael McDonough (Illinois), Joliet Catholic senior Cameron Juricich, Lemont senior Jake Sulzberger (Air Force) and Marist junior Rico Schrieber are tough offensive linemen.
The D-line is stacked with major college recruits including Marist senior Brad Fitzgibbon (Iowa), Mount Carmel junior Braeden Jones, Brother Rice junior King Liggins and Lincoln-Way East junior Jacob Alexander.
Junior lineman Michael McDonough, who is getting offers from major colleges, poses after a practice at Andrew in Tinley Park on Tuesday Oct. 10, 2023. (Jeff Vorva / Daily Southtown)
8. Back to the playoffs?
After going 4-5 last season, Marist has the talent to get back to the postseason but must overcome a tough schedule in coach Fitzgerald’s debut.
Marian Catholic, De La Salle and Reavis are other teams that fell one win short a year ago and will look to break through in 2024.
9. Ready for a deep run?
Lincoln-Way West and Morgan Park return large pieces of teams that made the state quarterfinals last season and are posted to contend again.
Lincoln-Way Central (9-2), Hillcrest (7-4) and T.F. North (7-3) look to build off breakthrough seasons last fall.
10. The top contenders … again?
Along with 7A champion Mount Carmel, 8A runner-up Lincoln-Way East, 5A runner-up Joliet Catholic and 5A semifinalist Providence all made the final four in their respective classes last season.
You can expect all four to be knocking on the door for another state title this season.
2023 runner-up St. Laurence faces more questions, but the Vikings will be dangerous again in 4A if they make the playoffs.
