SouthtownStar Preseason Top 10

The calendar has changed, signifying a new season. But the schools residing in the SouthtownStar Preseason Top 10 pretty much remain the same as a year ago.

Yes, the rich got richer in many instances - eight of the 10 teams in last season's preseason poll return.

No team, however, has the wealth of talent of St. Rita, which, for the second consecutive season, garnered the top spot.

The Mustangs lost some elite talent to graduation from last season's squad, which finished 11-3.

Coach Todd Kuska, however, has St. Rita in a position to reload, not rebuild.

"We like being No. 1," said Kuska, beginning his 13th season. "We don't care about having targets on our back. What kid doesn't want to open up the newspaper and see themselves as the top team in the area? It's an honor."

St. Rita

Last year: 11-3

Returning starters: Travis Starks, RB, 5-10, 175; Jahwon Akui, RB, 5-7, 180; Tom Hitz, OL, 6-foot, 255; Brian Lurquin, OL, 6-1, 270; Jack Sheehan, OL, 6-2, 260; Joe Nash, OL, 6-1, 270; Tim Gorski TE, 6-7, 245; Mitch Saffold, WR, 6-1, 180; Bobby Gallagher, WR, 6-3, 185; Joe Maes, DL, 6-3, 245, Will McNamara, LB, 6-foot, 215; Matt Mullen, LB, 6-foot, 205; Charles Elmore, DB, 6-1, 205; Chris Donahue, K.

Keep an eye on: Brandon Johnson, QB; Scott Thomas, QB; Nick Dachota, OL.

Coach Todd Kuska: "We have a strong unit back on offense and defensively, we lost some big guys, but we like the kids we have stepping up. We love our senior class - it's one of the best classes we've ever had, and our junior class is solid. We just need to stay healthy and make sure we keep the fire under everybody all season."

Key to success: Quarterback. With Akui, who rushed for 1,652 yards and 27 touchdowns, and Starks in the backfield and an offensive line capable of moving buildings, the QB battle between Johnson and Thomas takes center stage. Both young men are athletic and can run. The major question is which QB can produce a passing attack when necessary.

L-Way East

Last year: 9-2

Returning starters: Joe Mizera, OL, 6-3, 240; Ross Nolan, OL, 5-11, 230; Mike Pokorney, OL, 5-11, 190; Pat Meehan, LB, 6-2, 195; DeAndre Slate, DL, 6-2, 255; Ian Luscombe, DL, 6-1, 210; Dimitri Simmons, DL, 6-1, 200.

Keep an eye on: Blake Winkler, QB; Max Bayer, RB, Kyle Buchbach, WR, J.J. Robertson, WR, Jimmy Wilson, LB.

Coach Rob Zvonar: "We have a nice balance of talented seniors and up-and-coming talent. The kids have worked their fannies off. If we stay healthy, we can be a very good club. Our offensive and defensive lines are our strengths. We have unproven skill players, but I like their potential."

Key to success: Offense. How well Winkler and the rest of the inexperienced skill players perform will dictate the success of this season. Points will be difficult to come by for opponents, with Meehan, headed to Colorado State, man-child Slate, Luscombe and Simmons wreaking havoc.

Providence Catholic

Last year: 12-2 (Class 6A runner-up)

Returning starters: Joey Houlihan, QB, 6-1, 180; Mike Kronberg, OL, 6-2, 270; Frank Marasovic, OL, 6-2, 272; Dan Lembke, OL, 6-7, 285; Sean Carroll, WR, 6-2, 180; Zac Plantz, LB, 6-2, 205; Ray Ames, LB, 6-foot, 195; Joey Quinlan, DB, 5-11, 175; Dominic Olzsta, LB, 6-2, 195; Mitch Godfrey, DL, 6-2, 245.

Keep an eye on: Cody Weaver, RB; Dan Potempa, RB.

Coach Mark Coglianese: "We won't necessarily have one featured back. The ball will have to be spread around a little more this year. With nonconference games against Morgan Park and Joliet Catholic Academy, we will be tested early as we prepare for the Catholic Blue. It will again come down to finding a way to win five games, staying healthy, and making the playoffs. Anything can happen after that."

Key to success: Defensive line, running game. If an inexperienced front line can consistently provide pressure, the Celts will be in line for a big season. For the first time in years the Celtics are void of a go-to back. Instead, Providence will rely on a running-back-by-committee approach. Having Houlihan, who completed 109 of 190 passes for 1,621 yards and 10 TDs, should allow the running game space to flourish.

Mount Carmel

Last year: 8-4

Returning starters: Chris Sujka, QB, 5-10, 185; Michael Banks, RB, 5-7, 162; Zac Griffin, OL, 6-foot, 230; Eddie O'Connor, OL, 6-4, 222; Nick Roach, OL, 6-3, 253; Frank Kelly, WR, 5-10, 172; Kevin Kosiewicz, DL, 6-2, 225; Pat Casas, DL, 5-8, 241; Nikko Rodriguez, K.

Keep an eye on: Brandon Greer, RB; Draco Smith, RB.

Coach Frank Lenti: "We're pretty young on defense, but I like the attitude of this group of kids. These are great kids who have pretty good smarts. We hope to translate that into football smarts. I don't think this is our most talented team, but we've won state championships when we weren't the most talented team."

Key to success: Holding on to the football. The Caravan committed 24 turnovers a year ago. Sujka, who will play baseball at Indiana in 2011, has made significant progress at QB and is primed for a breakout campaign. Ditto for Greer, whose brother, Milton, was a star back for the Caravan.

Oak Forest

Last year: 8-2

Returning starters: Tim Longawa, QB, 6-2, 190; Tevin Coleman, WB, 6-1, 190; Brian Goga, OL, 6-foot, 235; Mark Huber, OL, 6-1, 220; Brian McNamara, WB, 6-1, 190; Giovanny Martinez, LB, 5-10, 205; Zach Waller, LB, 5-10, 205; Angelo Jackson, DB, 6-1, 180; Steve Losos, DB, 5-10, 180.

Keep an eye on: Jay Smith, DL; Matt Barry, FB.

Coach Brian McDonough: "This is as deep of a team as we've ever had. We have a lot of competition and guys pushing each other. The senior class was undefeated as sophomores and lost one game as freshmen. Our goal is to make the playoffs and to be in the conference race."

Key to success: Defensive line, quarterback. The Bengals will put points up by the truckload, but if the inexperienced D-line struggles to adapt to varsity competition, the scoreboard operator will be in for a workout. Longawa moves from full-time defensive end to quarterback, but possesses all the tools to thrive- including the ultra-talented Coleman at his disposal.

Marist

Last year: 11-3 (Class 8A runner-up)

Returning starters: Mike Skalitzky, RB, 6-1, 185; McKinley Moore, RB, 5-10, 175; Brian Feltman, OL, 6-2, 235; Matt Harmon, LB, 6-foot, 230; Jack Hincks, LB, 5-10, 185; Jon Hall, LB, 6-1, 200; Conor McCale, DL, 5-11, 230; Ben Falloon, K.

Keep an eye on: Ryan Meyer, QB; Luke Oosterbaan, QB, Josh Hickey, DL, Brian O'Shea, WR; Ed Josefiak, OL.

Coach Pat Dunne: "Our expectations are to get better every day. We don't plan on changing much. We still plan on a 50-50 balance to run and throw the ball. These guys have adopted last year's team's work ethic. But this team wants to create its own identity. All I ask of these kids is to put forth their best effort every day."

Key to success: Quarterback. There's no way any of the candidates can fill the shoes of 2009 SouthtownStar Player of the Year Mike Perish, now at Western Michigan. That won't be necessary with Moore (850 yards, 9 TDs) and Skalitzky (458 yards, 11 TDs) in the backfield. Opposing defenses likely will load up against the run, daring the RedHawks to throw the ball. If that becomes a chore for any of the RedHawks QBs, it could translate into a challenging season.

Crete-Monee

Last year: 10-2

Returning starters: Julius Spicer, RB, 5-7, 190; Cody Hock, OL, 6-3, 260; Lexus Jackson, WR, 6-1, 180; Zach Nevels, OL, 6-2, 185; John McCaskell, DL, 6-3, 320; Aaron Davis, DL, 6-3, 205; Steve O'Neill, DL, 6-1, 220; Mike Jamison, LB, 5-11, 200; LeAndre Vallot, DB, 5-10, 190.

Keep an eye on: Jaylen Bailey, QB.

Coach Jerry Verde: "We've got a little bit of talent. We're hoping our strength is playing together. That's what we're preaching, a team concept. We don't have any Superman on this team. For as many special players we'll have on this team who are talented, they are inexperienced."

Key to success: Offensive line. The Warriors have plenty of weapons on offense, led by Spicer (798 yards). But if the O-line fails to produce holes and provide protection, it won't matter. Verde plans to unleash a D-line line that has the strength to overpower most.

Lockport

Last year 6-4

Returning starters: Daniel Holman, RB, 5-10, 200; Dan Leja, OL, 6-2, 210; Matt Sawickis, OL, 6-4, 280; Garrett Kooi, WR, 6-1, 180; Brent Brock, DB, 6-1, 175; Kevin Fisch, DB, 5-11, 175; Matt Rabock, DB, 5-10, 185; Cole Starkey, LB, 6-2, 210; Jordan Roxas, DL, 6-2, 230.

Keep an eye on: Billy Reed, QB; Dan McDevitt, QB.

Coach Brett Kooi: "We have a lot of kids back and we have a good nucleus of younger kids coming up. I think this group is hungry. We feel we have a shot at the conference title."

Key to success: How well Reed lives up to the hype. By all accounts the junior QB has the tools to be mentioned in the same breathe as former Porters greats Steve Walker and Jake Christensen. Those two led the Porters to consecutive state titles. Having Holman, who rushed for 1,594 yards and 15 TDs, should allow Reed time to settle in.

Richards

Last year: 9-2

Returning starters: Jarrell Williams, DB/WR, 5-10, 165; Lacey Baxter, RB, 5-10, 195; Chris Elliott, RB, 5-10, 190; Andy Crivellone, OL, 5-10, 245; Julian Venerable, DB, 5-8, 155; Joe DeMarco, DB, 5-10, 180; Kamal Kamoruden, LB, 5-10, 180; Vince Voss, DL, 5-8, 215.

Keep an eye on: Tom Makuch, QB, 6-foot, 160; Andre Gallion, WR, 6-foot, 170; Jason Smart, TE, 6-2, 185; Danny Johnson, DB, 5-10, 175.

Coach Tony Sheehan: "We lost (QB Jon) Ryan, but we could be more explosive skill wise. Any time we touch the ball we have kids who can take it all the way. If the offensive line comes together, we could have something really special."

Key to success: Offensive line. The Bulldogs possess as much firepower as they ever have at the skill positions. Elliott, Baxter, Williams and Gallion are game-breakers. The O-line must step up and remain healthy if expectations are to be realized.

Lemont

Last year: 10-2

Returning starters: Dennis McAuliffe, OL, 6-2, 240; Josh Ferry, WR, 6-3, 195; Trevor Murphy, WR, 5-9, 165; Clayton Fejedelem, DB, 6-foot, 175; Danny Lombardo, DB, 5-10, 160; Kyle Krull, LB, 6-1, 190.

Keep an eye on: Lee Taylor, WR; Jack Forrest, TB; Matt Anzalone, TB, Damon Aleman, QB; Tyler Jay, QB, Mike Hall, QB.

Coach Eric Michaelson: "We're inexperienced, especially on the defensive side of the ball. We're replacing our front three. The kids are working hard. I have no complaints about their effort. We just need to get a lot better in a lot of different areas."

Key to success: Quarterback. As many as four candidates, including a freshman, are vying for the starting role. That's never a good sign. The Indians have two dangerous receivers in Taylor and Ferry. It's just a matter of getting the ball in their hands.

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