Maine South chases history

Updated: August 26, 2011 7:49PM

History is beckoning Jimmy Frankos and his Maine South teammates this fall.

Frankos, a senior projected to start at wide receiver and safety, will be in the middle of the action as the Hawks go after a fourth ­consecutive Class 8A state title.

“Hopefully I can leave with four state championship rings,” Frankos said. “Not too many people can say (they did) that.”

It is a rare feat. Driscoll captured seven straight titles from 2001 to ’07 (six in Class 4A and one in 3A), and Joliet Catholic and Mount Carmel each have won four in a row. But no team has done what Maine South is shooting for: winning the state’s largest class four straight seasons.

Whether this club is good enough to do that, even coach Dave Inserra isn’t sure. He does see some ­promising signs. though.

“Matt (Alviti, a junior quarterback) looks awesome,” Inserra said “Defensively, we’re getting it.”

And if that continues, Frankos could get another ring.

Here’s a look at the preseason Super 25:

1. Maine South: The Hawks struggled out of the gate last year, starting 0-2 before running off 12 straight wins after they got healthy and their offense came together. Back from that group are Alviti, who threw for more than 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns, and ­senior back Paul Preston, who ran for more than 1,100 yards and scored a team-high 21 touchdowns.

2. Wheaton Warrenville South: The two-time defending Class 7A champs have much rebuilding to do on offense after graduating an exceptionally talented group of skill players, including Sun-Times Player of the Year and current Illinois quarterback Reilly O’Toole, ­receivers Titus Davis and Travis Kern and running back Matt ­Rogers. This year, the Tigers will need to get the ball into the hands of versatile Northwestern recruit Dan Vitale. Senior quarterback ­Thaddeus Armstrong, a transfer from ­Ottawa, has picked up the WW South system quickly and will be another key. There’s ­experience on defense, where linebackers Adam Dansdill and Brandon ­Peterson, end Jack Lipnisky and safety Mike Shelton are back.

3. Glenbard West: The ­Hilltop­pers are led by a pair of big, athletic linemen: Penn State recruit Tommy Schutt (6-3, 295) and Johnny Caspers (6-3, 270), who has a scholarship offer from ­Arizona, among other schools. Schutt, ranked No. 1 in Illinois’ Class of 2011 by Rivals.com, is a matchup headache for ­opponents from his defensive line spot and on offense, where he sees significant action at tight end.

4. Mount Carmel: The Caravan has plenty of experience and a promising junior quarterback in Don Butkus, the grandnephew of Bears great Dick Butkus. Mount Carmel’s best — and probably busiest — player will be senior Brandon Greer (6-0, 195), a Central Michigan recruit who will start at running back and defensive back. Linebackers Derrick Bryant and Jack Houser and defensive backs Kelly and Dave Nicholson return from a unit that steadily improved last season.

5. Lake Zurich: There is no talent shortage for the Bears, led by Minnesota recruit Jack Lynn, a 6-3, 205-pound linebacker and wide receiver. Look for quarterback Zach Till to play a larger role this season, though back Mike Shield will get plenty of touches. Shield also will start at defensive back and be among the leaders of a unit that also features tackle William Hussey and linebacker Taylor Coleman.

6. Simeon: The Wolverines made major strides in coach Dante Culbreath’s first season at the helm, beating Mount Carmel in a wild opener at Soldier Field en route to an 11-0 start before falling to Lake Zurich in the 7A quarterfinals. ­Senior quarterback Robert Gregory, who accounted for 43 touchdowns as a passer and runner, is perhaps the area’s most dynamic offensive player. He’ll have a different receiving corps and lead back this season but will be protected by a blue-chip lineman in 6-6, 300-pounder Jordan Diamond, who has more than 20 scholarship offers.

7. Carmel: Few if any teams can match the backfield depth of the defending East Suburban Catholic Conference champion Corsairs. Jordan Kos (5-11, 195) ran for about 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns last season and has drawn big-time interest, while speedy Michael Panico (986 yards, 11 TDs) has an offer from Akron. Matt Maher (5-11, 201) is also back, and quarterback Brian Brennan is yet another threat to run. Brennan also has a dangerous target in senior Jack Schoen, who didn’t play last season. Shane Toub, whose father, Dave, coaches the Bears’ special teams, and Mike Dyer lead a capable line. In close games, kicker Steven O’Block (four field goals of 40 yards or more) can be a difference maker.

8. Homewood-Flossmoor: Quarterback Tim Williams (6-6, 210), a two-sport talent who might play football and basketball in college, may be more polished than last season, when he threw for more than 2,100 yards and 21 TDs. The Vikings will utilize Sheldon Jones in the run and pass games and will rely on three-year varsity vet Jake Thompson to lead the offensive line. The defense has a pair of returning starters in the secondary in Jones and Anfernee Roberts.

9. Montini: The two-time defending 5A champions have as much receiving depth as any team in the state. That group features Nebraska recruit Jordan Westerkamp (1,650 yards, 23 TDs), Anthony Taylor (847 yards, 8 TDs) and Joe Borsellino (616 yards, 4 TDs). Senior John Rhode, a transfer from Marian Catholic, will take over at quarterback and will be protected by a good-sized line led by center Brian Piper and right tackle Brian Lowery. The Broncos’ defense is less experienced, with linebacker Franklin Bruscianelli the only returning starter. But Jaleel Johnson (6-4, 290), a transfer from St, Joseph and Iowa recruit, is a welcome addition up front.

10. Lincoln-Way East: This year’s club will feature a ­premier pass-and-catch tandem in quarterback Blake Winkler, who is being recruited by various Ivy League schools, and Illinois-bound receiver J.J. Robertson. Winkler should have plenty of time to throw, thanks to a big, experienced line that features seniors Frank Toland (6-3, 265), Dan Patterson (5-10, 295), Josh Bottoms (5-10, 250) and Alex Hern (6-2, 265) and sophomore Nick Allegretti (6-3, 260).

11. St. Rita: The faces of the perennial Catholic League Blue power will be a pair of defenders: senior linebacker Will McNamara (6-1, 215) and senior defensive back Charles Elmore (6-2, 210). Pat O’Connor (6-4, 235) will be an anchor of the defensive line, while Nick Dachota (6-8, 305) is an imposing presence at left tackle on the offensive side.

12. Joliet Catholic: The Hilltoppers have three premier backs in senior Northwestern recruit Malin Jones (6-2, 210); junior Ty Isaac (6-, 215), who has offers from Notre Dame, Illinois, Arizona and Northwestern among others; and junior Tyler Reitz. Overall depth is a bit of a concern.

13. Loyola: Quarterback Malcolm Weaver can generate big yardage as both a passer and a runner, and he has some prime targets in receivers Marquese Martin-Hayes (6-0, 195) and Charlie Dowdle (6-3, 195).

14. Stevenson: Third-year varsity starter Carl Miller, a senior linebacker, leads the defense, while returning Sun-Times All-Area kicker Matt Micucci will take over for Kevin Earl (son of former Bear Robin Earl) as the starting quarterback.

15. Barrington: The Mid-Suburban West power has a great group of linemen, led by Dan Voltz (6-5, 289), a Wisconsin recruit, and junior Mason Darrow. They’ll open holes for Chase Murdock (6-1, 210), who gained more than 1,000 yards last season despite a variety of health issues. Murdock will be one of four projected two-way starters.

16. Minooka: Kalvin Hill, last year’s Class 3A state wrestling champ at 160 pounds, will be the featured back for a potent Indians’ offense. There also is talent in the receiving corps and on the defensive line, where Alec Vesper (6-1, 280), Alex Hamilton (6-0, 245) and Jake DeGraaf (6-3, 225) are mainstays. Linebacker Jake Petrovic, who missed all of last season with a torn labrum, will be a welcome addition to the defense.

17. Crete-Monee: Back-to-back trips to the Class 6A quarterfinals have only whetted the Warriors’ appetite for a longer playoff run. They appear to have the talent to make that happen, led by the Southland Conference’s best player: 6-1, 178-pound safety and Michigan recruit Anthony Standifer, who picked off nine passes last season. Also keep an eye on senior linebacker Jon Fasel and junior receiver LaQuon Treadwell.

18. Glenbard North: The Panthers have been a consistent presence in the 8A playoffs in the past decade, a run of success that seems primed to continue. Veteran back Phil Jackson returns to run behind a line that features some big bodies in Cody Buhrandt (6-2, 270), Dan McHale (6-2, 290) and D’Angelo Hodges (6-2, 275). Cornerback Alex Mendez is a leader of the defense.

19. Prairie Ridge: With a potent option attack run by senior quarterback Nick Nissen and a breakout receiver in Sean Valentine, Prairie Ridge can score points in a hurry. They’ll also be battle-tested in the Fox Valley Valley, one of the state’s premier conferences for mid-sized schools.

20. Downers Grove South: The Mustangs survived a brutal run of injuries to win the West Suburban Gold again last season and make their 15th straight trip to the IHSA playoffs. This fall, they’re hoping to stay healthy and play deeper into November. Senior Josh Williams, in his third season as the featured back, worked hard in the offseason to prepare for another season of shouldering the offensive load.

21. Wheaton North: After being more of a defensive-minded team lately, the Falcons could rely more on their offense in 2011. Junior quarterback John Peltz, who led the North sophomores to a 9-0 season last year, has some capable receivers in Johnny Daniels and Micah Penn along with a promising runner in Patrick Sharp.

22. Cary-Grove: Brad Seaburg takes over as coach following the retirement of longtime coach Bruce Kay, who led the Trojans to the Class 6A title in 2009 and a runner-up finish in 7A in 2004. Seaburg inherits plenty of talent and speed, so another playoff run could be in the offing. Running backs Ryan Mahoney and Connor Carlson are among the standout players to watch on offense.

23. Glenbrook North: The defending Central Suburban North champs are the team to beat once again, with the league’s offensive MVP (junior back Grant Rushing) and lineman of the year (6-4, 270-pound Mike Ermel) returning. Receivers Trevor Ponticelli (6-3, 180) and Chad Bruce (6-4, 185) could help keep opponents from keying too much on Rushing.

24. Oswego: Scoring points was not an issue for the Panthers last season, thanks to an offense led by quarterback Ryan West (2,471 yards, 24 TDs). But Oswego missed the IHSA playoffs for the first time since 2001 because the Panthers had trouble stopping anyone and winning close games; four of their five losses were by seven points or fewer, The offense should be just as potent this fall and the defense looks to be improved enough to assure another postseason berth.

25. York: The Dukes must replace a pair of offensive game-changers in quarterback Jim Nudera and running back Ryan Kent. But the current seniors have averaged nine wins a season since they entered high school, so there’s no shortage of talent on hand. In order to take advantage of receivers like David Byerley (6-2, 195) and Jordan Preuss (6-5, 175), the Dukes will switch from a double-wing offense to a spread.

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