football - YourSeason

Football: Jordan Diamond picks Auburn, Robert Gregory accepts Purdue offer

Feb 4, 2012

Simeon offensive lineman Jordan Diamond announced he had signed with Southeastern Conference power Auburn Friday night while teammate and quarterback Robert Gregory selected Purdue.

Football: Jason Rech steps down at Riverside-Brookfield

Feb 3, 2012

Jason Rech stepped down as head football coach at Riverside-Brookfield Thursday, citing health reasons.

Football: How the Big Ten recruiting classes shape up

Feb 6, 2012

Ohio State and Michigan have the Big Ten’s top recruiting classes. Here’s the scoop on how all 12 conference teams fared.

Football: Ohio State, Michigan have Big Ten’s best classes

Feb 6, 2012

A late push by new Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and a strong early showing by Michigan have the Buckeyes and Wolverines leading the Big Ten recruiting race.

Football: Some top players not ready to sign

Feb 6, 2012

Not all football standouts chose to make their college choices official on Wednesday. Among those delaying their announcements are Simeon offensive lineman Jordan Diamond and Crete-Monee defensive back Anthony Standifer.

Football: Local recruit list

Feb 8, 2012

Here’s a list of local football players who have made their college choices. Please email additions and corrections to preps@suntimes.com.

Football: Illinois’ Tim Beckman off to quick recruiting start

Feb 3, 2012

Illinois football coach Tim Beckman didn’t seem to waste any time on National Signing Day Wednesday. He wanted to single out one of the Illinois recruits right away.

Football: Brian Kelly lands big recruits for Notre Dame

Feb 3, 2012

The typical signing day euphoria for Notre Dame was muted by one of the must-have players that got away. In a stunning turnaround, partially because he picked Houston (not USC, Alabama or Washington, all of which he had offers from) four-star receiver Deontay Greenberry signed a letter of intent with the Cougars Wednesday.

Football: Pat Fitzgerald keeps Northwestern on track

Feb 3, 2012

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald likes to joke that he has known Joliet Catholic running back Malin Jones nearly as long as he has his youngest son, Brendan, who is almost 3.

Northern Illinois loads up on linemen

Feb 3, 2012

Northern Illinois coach Dave Doeren welcomed seven offensive linemen and six defensive linemen as part of the Huskies’ 31-man recruiting class. Geneva quarterback Matt Williams also signed with NIU.

Football: Bolingbrook stacked with college-level talent

Feb 3, 2012

All-State linebacker Antonio Morrison already is a student at the University of Florida, taking an 18-hour course load and preparing for spring football practice with the Gators. Meanwhile, eight of his Bolingbrook teammates enjoyed their shining moment Wednesday morning in the school cafeteria.

Football: Malin Jones heads Joliet Catholic’s elite college talent

Feb 3, 2012

Northwestern-bound Malin Jones, clad neatly in purple, was in the spotlight Wednesday afternoon at Joliet Catholic’s national letter-of-intent signing ceremony at the school.

Football: St Rita sends three to Ivy League

Feb 3, 2012

St. Rita football coach Todd Kuska has helped develop dozens of players for various levels of college football. Never during his 14 years, however, has he had three members of a senior class commit to Ivy League schools.

Football: Lyons’ Will Konstant commits to Dartmouth

Feb 3, 2012

Lyons defensive back Will Konstant has verbally committed to attend Dartmouth College.

Football: Recruits to make college choices

Feb 3, 2012

The local class of 2012 is headlined by Glenbard West defensive lineman Tommy Schutt, who has committed to Ohio State. Schutt and a couple dozen other players will sign on Wednesday, the National Letter of Intent day. Here’s a look at the area’s top players that remain uncommitted.

Football: Carmel’s Jordan Kos will sign with Winona State

Feb 3, 2012

Carmel’s all-state running back Jordan Kos has made a verbal commitment to Winona State.

Football: Jim Grannan steps down as coach at St Laurence

Feb 3, 2012

Jim Grannan resigned after nine seasons at St. Laurence, posting a 45-48 record. He will remain as the athletic director at the Burbank school.

Football: Bremen’s David Smith picks Oklahoma

Feb 3, 2012

In front of friends and family at Bremen Tuesday, running back David Smith made a verbal commitment to play football at the University of Oklahoma in the fall.

Football: George Kaider takes over at Mundelein

Feb 3, 2012

Mundelein named George Kaider the new head football coach Tuesday. Prior to joining the Mustangs’ staff in 2009, Kaider had been the head coach at Pekin and Richmond-Burton.

Football: Tim Zasada to leave TF North for Reavis

Feb 3, 2012

Tim Zasada, the head girls basketball coach and an assistant football coach at T.F. North, will be leaving at the end of the current school year to become the football coach and a teacher at Reavis, pending school board approval on Tuesday.

Football: A class not to miss

Feb 3, 2012

Illinois’ football recruiting class that all others are judged by was the 1986 group that produced 141 Division I scholarship players.

Football: Brandon New is St Viator’s new man

Feb 3, 2012

St. Viator named Brandon New its new football coach Wednesday. New spent the last two years as an assistant at Benet and was also the last head coach at Driscoll before the school closed in the spring of 2009.

Football: Nike-hosted showcase brings elite talent to Soldier Field

Feb 3, 2012

It was a chance of a lifetime for over 100 of the top senior football players in the city of Chicago and suburbs who were selected to play in the first annual Nike Hyper Warm Bowl Tuesday at Soldier Field.

Football: Tyson LeBlanc takes over at Oswego East

Feb 3, 2012

After leading Curie to five IHSA playoff berths and one Public League title in five seasons, Tyson LeBlanc resigned to become head football coach at Oswego East.

Football: Gene Nudo hired at Fenwick

Feb 3, 2012

Gene Nudo, who coached Driscoll to its first state title before moving on to work in the Arena Football League, is the new coach at Fenwick.

Football: Lake Forest Academy’s Faith Ekakitie commits to Iowa

Feb 6, 2012

Faith Ekakitie, who was one of the most sought after Division I football recruits in Lake County, has decided to take his game to the Big Ten.

Football: Glenbard West’s Tommy Schutt commits to Ohio State

Feb 6, 2012

Amid the ongoing scandal and administration upheaval at Penn State, Glenbard West defensive tackle Tommy Schutt has withdrawn his commitment from the Nittany Lions and is now committed to the Buckeyes.

Football: Lockport’s Billy Reed picks Southern Illinois

Feb 6, 2012

Billy Reed, Lockport’s starting quarterback the past two seasons, has committed to Southern Illinois, which recruited him as a wide receiver.

Football: Ted Monken out as Metea Valley coach

Feb 3, 2012

After a 4-5 season last year, Ted Monken resigned as football coach at Metea Valley.

Football: Title caps memorable season for Bolingbrook

Feb 3, 2012

Before Bolingbrook was known for winning multiple girls state basketball championships, the school was known for having success in one sport. Football.

Secret is out on state champ Bolingbrook

Feb 9, 2012

Mike Clark: Bolingbrook has had a lot of good football teams over the years. This year, the Raiders had a great one, but it took a while for that reality to sink in. And that’s exactly how coach John Ivlow wanted it.

Football: Mike Clark’s Super 25 rankings

Feb 3, 2012

Class 8A champion Bolingbrook is No. 1 in the final Super 25 football rankings for 2011.

Football: Bolingbrook tops Loyola, claims first football title

Feb 3, 2012

Behind the efforts of quarterback Aaron Bailey, Bolingbrook claimed its first state title in a 21-17 win over Loyola Saturday night in the Class 8A title game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.

Football: Records shattered as Montini tops Joliet Catholic

Feb 3, 2012

Numerous offensive records were shattered Saturday morning as Montini held off Joliet Catholic 70-45 to claim the Class 5A state title.

Football: Prairie Ridge runs to Class 6A title

Feb 3, 2012

Utilizing the Prairie Ridge's sprint option to gash the Richwoods perimeter, Jordan Getzelman scored two touchdowns and amassed 191 yards on 26 carries in powering the Wolves' 35-14 Class 6A state title victory Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Football: Boylan hangs on to top WW South

Feb 3, 2012

Boylan quarterback Lamont Toney (240 yards) had a 72-yard rushing touchdown and added a 79-yard touchdown pass as the Titans built a 13-point lead early and held on to top WW South 21-14 Class 7A state title Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

Football: Team comes first for hard-working Matt Randolph

Feb 3, 2012

Running back Matt Randolph was an instrumental part of Naperville Central’s run to the Class 8A semifinals this season. With a season total of 1,736 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns, he scored the go-ahead touchdown against Bolingbrook in the semifinal game before the Raiders rallied for a 22-19 victory.

Football: Anthony Maddie leads Aurora Christian to 3A state championship

Feb 3, 2012

Aurora Christian defeated Mt. Carmel 34-7 Friday in the Class 3A state championship game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign Friday.

Football: Richmond-Burton comeback falls short

Feb 3, 2012

Rochester relied on a quick-strike passing game led by Oklahoma State-bound quarterback Wes Lunt and Zach Grant to build a 19-point lead and held on for a 42-39 win over Richmond-Burton Friday night in the Class 4A title game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. Morrison was crowned 2A champs while Dakota won 1A.

Football: Mount Carmel too strong for Simeon in Prep Bowl

Feb 3, 2012

Mount Carmel’s Brandon Greer drove into second gear in the second half to help lift the Caravan past Simeon 34-20 in the 78th annual Prep Bowl Friday at Soldier Field.

Football: Simeon’s Elcee Burke tough in defeat

Feb 3, 2012

Simeon will have to wait for “lucky seven” when it comes to winning the Prep Bowl. The south side Public League power is now 0-6 after another futile attempt to bring home the title, suffering a 34-20 loss to Mount Carmel Friday at Soldier Field.

2011 Sun-Times Football Player of the Year: Joliet Catholic’s Ty Isaac

Feb 9, 2012

After an injury-plagued sophomore year, Joliet Catholic's Ty Isaac has had a season for the ages – one that has been good enough to make him the Sun-Times Football Player of the Year for 2011.

Football: Loyola’s Charlie Dowdle does it all

Feb 3, 2012

Tyler Vradenburg is in an enviable position as Loyola’s coordinator of the passing game. Not only does he have controls to one of the state’s most dynamic offenses, Vradenburg gets to coach Charlie Dowdle. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound receiver is one of the best in the state on Class 8A’s lone undefeated team.

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