Monday Morning quarterbacks

For the first time in recent history, the Chicago area has three quarterbacks committed to major college programs: Wheaton North's Taylor Graham (Ohio State), Downers Grove South's Chandler Whitmer (Illinois) and Lake Forest's Tommy Rees (Notre Dame).

YourSeason.com will follow all three and Hinsdale Central's John Whitelaw, the Sun-Times' preseason pick for its All-Area team, throughout the season.

Here is how they fared in Week 1:

TAYLOR GRAHAM, WHEATON NORTH

Performance: The Ohio State recruit led the Falcons to a 23-7 win over Addison Trail in its opener. Graham completed 14 of 26 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Of the four QBs, he is the only one that was victorious.

Quote: "After breaking my ankle last year, I've been waiting for my senior season to start. ... It was a good start for us. Our goal is to get to six wins as fast as we can."

Up next: Graham and the Falcons host Lake Zurich, which lost to Fremd 10-7 in its opener. The Bears won the Class 7A state title in 2007 and run a 3-5-3 defense.

"We're not going to take Lake Zurich lightly,'' Graham said. "It's going to take a hard week of practice to get ready for them."

TOMMY REES, LAKE FOREST

Performance: The Notre Dame recruit accounted for two touchdowns, one passing and one rushing, in a 38-31 loss to Palatine. He also tossed four interceptions.

Up next: The Scouts host Kenosha Bradford. The Wisconsin team won its first game of the year 49-14 over Burlington (Wis.).

CHANDLER WHITMER, DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH

Performance: The Illinois recruit threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jason Jozaites and ran in a two-yard touchdown in a 16-14 loss to Bolingbrook, the Sun-Time' preseason No. 5 team.

Up next: Whitmer and the Mustangs travel to Glenbard West, which routed Glenbard South 49-0 in its opener, on Saturday. The Hilltoppers run a 3-5-3 defense, a scheme predicated on confusion and stopping spread offenses.

JOHN WHITELAW, HINSDALE CENTRAL

Performance: The versatile quarterback was 18-for-31 for 258 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. But the Red Devils lost 34-26 to top-ranked Wheaton Warrenville South.

Up next: Whitelaw and Hinsdale Central host Proviso East, which lost to St. Patrick 22-15 in its opener, on Friday night. The Pirates have two Division I recruits in its secondary in safety Corey Cooper (Illinois) and corner Antoine Lewis (Minnesota).

Other QBs who had impressive performances in Week 1 include: Prospect's Miles Osei, Morgan Park's DaRon Brown and Maine South's Tyler Benz.

ajahns@suntimes.com