St. Laurence finished second in the state in Class 4A and is looking to win it all in 2024. Photo by Jeff Vorva

St. Laurence finished second in the state in Class 4A and is looking to win it all in 2024. Photo by Jeff Vorva

A bevy of changes ahead for the 2024 high school football season

By Jeff Vorva
Correspondent

The IHSA’s annual posting of the coming season’s football schedule always gets people talking.

This year is no exception. Tears for Fears meets David Bowie as there are changes, changes and more changes; fans might need pencils and scorecards to keep track.

As a public service, we here at Southwest Regional Publishing are providing some answers to questions about the changes as well as some other important issues.

There will not be a follow-up quiz, but high school football fans would still be wise to study.

 

Who is where in the Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference?

Get out your scorecards.

After another year of tweaking, here is the 2024 breakdown for the powerhouse league that had three state champions among its five title-game participants in 2023 (and all four Class 5A semifinalists were from the league).

Blue: Brother Rice, Mount Carmel, St. Ignatius, Loyola

Green: St. Rita, Immaculate Conception Catholic, Nazareth, Wheaton St. Francis.

Orange: Marist, Joliet Catholic, Providence, Niles Notre Dame.

Purple: St. Viator, DePaul, St. Patrick, Benet.

Red: Marmion, De La Salle, Leo, Marian Catholic.

White: St. Laurence, Montini, Carmel, Fenwick.

 

What happened to the SouthWest Suburban Conference?

It merged with a bunch of schools in the Naperville area and out west to form the Southwest Valley Conference, a football-only league that will include area schools Sandburg and Stagg.

Get out your scorecards again.

Blue: Homewood-Flossmoor, Lincoln-Way East, Lockport, Neuqua Valley, Naperville North.

Green: Waubonsie Valley, Bradley-Bourbonnais, DeKalb, Lincoln-Way Central, Stagg.

Red: Metea Valley, Naperville Central, Lincoln-Way West, Sandburg, Andrew.

 

Where’s Riverside-Brookfield?

At the familiar location at Ridegwood Road and 1st Avenue, just south of Brookfield Zoo, of course. But as far as its football team goes, the Bulldogs will be in their third conference in as many years.

After spending 2022 in the Metro Suburban Red and 2023 in the Southland Athletic Conference, R-B hopes to have found a longtime home in the rebranded UpState 8 East (yes, the “S” is capitalized. They’ll be joined by Fenton, Elmwood Park, Glenbard South, Glenbard East, Ridgewood and West Chicago.

NAZ scaled

Nazareth won the Class 5A state title despite a 4-5 regular-season record in 2023. Photo by Jeff Vorva

 

Can Nazareth win another state title?

In 2022, Nazareth became the first team in Illinois history to go from 2-4 to winning a state championship, claiming the Class 5A title.

Last year, the Roadrunners upped the ante by becoming the first 4-5 team to win a title, again in 5A.

What’s on tap this year? Going 0-9 and winning the state title? That would be impossible for coach Tim Racki and the team, but hey … you never know with these guys.

For the third year in a row, the Roadrunners open against Kankakee, this time a 7:30 p.m. home game on Aug. 30. Two years ago in Lagrange Park, the Roadrunners beat the Kays 2-0 on opening night.

 

Why is Mount Carmel Hun-gry?

The Caravan, a two-time Class 7A defending state champion, will begin the season a day before almost everyone else when they host the Hun School at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29 at Carey Field at Barda-Dowing Stadium.

The Hun School is a powerhouse out of New Jersey and, according to MaxPreps, has gone 26-1 the past three seasons.

 

Will St. Laurence be in the Chase?

St. Laurence surprised a lot of people by reaching the Class 4A championship game in 2023, and the Vikings are looking to win the title this year.

One of the reasons for optimism is that speedster Harley Rizz is back at running back.

Another reason is quarterback Chase Kwiatowski transferred to the Burbank school from Lake Central, Indiana. Kwiatowski threw for 1,176 yards and 12 touchdowns and added 364 rushing yards and two TDs in 2023 and has committed to play at Illinois State University.

 

Who are some of the new coaches in the area?

Former York coach Mike Fitzgerald took over for Ron Dawczak at Marist.

Former St. Laurence and Oak Lawn coach Harold Blackmon is at De La Salle, where he succeeds Marty Quinn.

At Stagg, Jacob O’Connor takes over for Colt Nero.

At Chicago Christian, CJ Cesario succeeds Dan Chiarito.

 

What are some of the interesting matchups for Week 1?

Aside from Nazareth hosting Kankakee and Mount Carmel hosting the Hun School?

Well, there is Morgan Park at Marist, Prospect at Lyons, Richards at Crete-Monee, Sandburg at St. Rita and Argo at De La Salle.

 

QB scaled

Mount Carmel quarterback Jack Elliott and his teammates will take on the Hun School from New Jersey a day before most the rest of the state teams open play. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Local News

basketball stock

Southwest Regional Publishing basketball roundup, Dec. 4-5

Dec. 5 Boys TF North 67, Argo 52: Kassam Saleh scored 15 for the Argonauts (2-3, 0-1 South Suburban Red). Girls Reavis 49, Tinley Park 25: Emily Grochola scored 13 points to lead the Rams (4-2, 1-0 South Suburban Red) past the Titans. Shepard 52, TF South 49: Jessica Manley’s 21 points helped the Astros…

With his mom Nicole at his side, Richards running back Myles Mitchell made his college commitment to North Dakota State official on Dec. 4. Photo by Mike Clark

Richards’ Myles Mitchell signs with North Dakota State

Myles Mitchell is one of the state’s premier running backs, with a bright future with one of the nation’s best FCS programs. But the path hasn’t always been easy for the Richards senior, who made his college commitment to North Dakota State official during a signing ceremony on Dec. 4. “Eighth grade was kind of…

Brad Johnson Jr. scored a game-high 19 points to help Curie rally past Lane 48-46 on Dec. 5. Photo by Mike Clark

Brad Johnson Jr. finds range, leads Curie past Lane

Facing what was literally a tall task against Lane on Dec. 5, Curie was in serious need of a spark. Brad Johnson Jr. provided it. Led by 6-foot-10 Penn recruit Dalton Scantlebury, Lane is one of the area’s biggest teams. Curie was undersized by comparison in the Public League Red Shield opener and trailed by…

An inflatable Santa waved to the crowd from the back of a flatbed truck. (Photos by Nuha Abdessalam)

Orland Park Christmas parade lights up the season

“Even in the cold, this parade warms your heart,” said Cathy Garner, an Orland Park resident who joined her twin daughters in Sunday’s Christmas Parade. With temperatures hovering at 25 degrees but feeling like 15 due to the wind chill, residents bundled up in blankets, winter coats, and hats for the beloved tradition. The parade…

23rd Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares

Chicago poll a ‘North Star’ amid 2025 budget disputes, local aldermen say

Change Research conducted an online survey of 801 general election voters from Nov. 18-21, focusing on Chicago’s budget negotiations. The city-wide poll was conducted to discover residents’ opinions about various topics such as politician and group favorability, property taxes, city spending, Chicago’s sanctuary city status and more. The majority of poll respondents identified as Democrats;…

basketball stock

Southwest Regional Publishing basketball roundup, Dec. 2-3

Dec. 3 Boys Andrew 72, Argo 50: Darron Greer Jr. led the Argonauts (2-2) with 14 points. Evergreen Park 70, U-High 58: Keshaun Vaval had 25 points to lead the Mustangs (3-1). Lonnie Mosley added 17 points and Camryn Dandridge grabbed 14 rebounds. Lemont 65, Stagg 35: Omar Barakat scored 17 for the Chargers (0-4).…

football-stock

Football signing day: Local recruits

Here is a list of football players in the Southwest Regional Publishing coverage area committed to Division I schools. Please email additions or corrections to mikeclarkpreps@gmail.com. Brother Rice Tyler Lofton, RB, Illinois State Jimmie Maxson, WR, North Dakota Charlie Stec, Edge, Western Illinois Lyons Tyler Chambers, OL, Northern Illinois Travis Stamm, WR, Illinois State Marist…

CRR_NH

Clear-Ridge Reporter and NewsHound December 4, 2024

Junior Michael Oliver Jr. will be counted on for scoring and leadership for Curie this season. Photo by Mike Clark

Michael Oliver Jr. offers veteran presence for new-look Curie

There are a lot of new faces at Curie this winter. Gone are the five senior starters from a 31-3 team that won the Public League title and lost by two points to eventual Class 4A champion Homewood-Flossmoor in the Elite Eight. But veteran coach Mike Oliver is back and so is his son, junior…

Argo's Kassam Saleh tries to split defenders on his way to the basket for a layup against Plainfield South on Nov. 27. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Boys basketball notebook: Kassam Saleh, Argo aiming high this season

Kassam Saleh is ready to set the tone for Argo. “As time goes on you gain the most experience on the team and become that leader for everyone else,” said Saleh, a senior guard. “They follow you.” The Argonauts finished runner-up in the John McBride Classic at Stagg, falling 50-44 to Plainfield South on Nov.…

Neighbors

‘There’s something fishy here, don’t you think?’: Wiretapped calls detail Madigan confidant’s confoundment over complicated land deal

‘There’s something fishy here, don’t you think?’: Wiretapped calls detail Madigan confidant’s confoundment over complicated land deal

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – It was the last day of the General Assembly’s spring legislative session in 2018 when veteran Statehouse lobbyist Mike McClain realized his bill wasn’t going anywhere. McClain was officially retired but still took on “assignments” from his longtime friend Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. But one particular project he took…

Illinois American Water will increase water rates

Illinois American Water will increase water rates

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO — The state’s largest private water utility, Illinois American Water, will increase customer bills in the new year. The move comes after state regulators at the Illinois Commerce Commission approved the requested increase on Thursday. The five-member board approved a $110 million increase for the company, a 30% reduction from the…

Jurors see list of Madigan’s job recommendations given to newly elected Gov. Pritzker

Jurors see list of Madigan’s job recommendations given to newly elected Gov. Pritzker

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – In the weeks following now-Gov. JB Pritzker’s November 2018 victory over one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan busied himself preparing for a brand new administration after years of conflict with governors of both parties. One of his first priorities was finding jobs for his political…

How RFK Jr.’s health proposals could affect Illinois

How RFK Jr.’s health proposals could affect Illinois

Capitol News Illinois Every new presidential administration comes with policy changes, but the incoming second administration of President-elect Donald Trump and his proposed secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., could dramatically reshape the public health landscape. Kennedy, a former political rival of Trump, became a close ally of Trump over the…

‘You won’t spend a day in jail’: Madigan attorney hammers Solis’ agreement with feds

‘You won’t spend a day in jail’: Madigan attorney hammers Solis’ agreement with feds

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – The day after Christmas 2018, then-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis signed an agreement with federal prosecutors, with whom he’d spent the last 2 ½ years working as a secret cooperating witness in a sprawling corruption investigation. Solis’ undercover work helped bring down two of Illinois’ biggest and longest-serving Democratic powerbrokers. Former…

Pritkzer education policy advisor named to head new Department of Early Childhood

Pritkzer education policy advisor named to head new Department of Early Childhood

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday appointed Teresa Ramos to be the first permanent secretary of the newly-formed Illinois Department of Early Childhood. “I’m eager to get started working with an incredible team of state employees, parents and families, advocates, and early childhood providers to create something exceptional that will give…

Semi driver involved in fatal crash of deputy had previous unreported DUI conviction, prompting call for federal audit

Semi driver involved in fatal crash of deputy had previous unreported DUI conviction, prompting call for federal audit

Capitol News Illinois Four years before police said he caused a crash that killed a DeKalb County sheriff’s deputy, Nathan Sweeney pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and having 44 grams of heroin in his car – an offense that, if properly reported to the secretary of state, should have led to the revocation…

Madigan attorney accuses Solis of not telling feds ‘all the crimes you committed’

Madigan attorney accuses Solis of not telling feds ‘all the crimes you committed’

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – Former Chicago Ald. Danny Solis spent more than 2 ½ years living a double life as an FBI cooperating witness after agents approached him in 2016, asking him to wear a wire on his colleagues or risk being charged for multiple bribes he’d taken while in office. Solis’ extraordinary cooperation…

State Board of Elections certifies election results showing decline in turnout

State Board of Elections certifies election results showing decline in turnout

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — Vice President Kamala Harris won Illinois by nearly 11 points as turnout dipped in 2024, according to official election results certified by the State Board of Elections. The board met Monday to certify the results of the 2024 election and released final vote totals for races around the state, including…

Appellate Court finds former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson should be released until trial

Appellate Court finds former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson should be released until trial

Capitol News Illinois Prosecutors will ask the Illinois Supreme Court to review an appellate court ruling that found former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson should be released from jail pending trial on charges related to the July 6 shooting death of Sonya Massey. On Wednesday, Nov. 27, the 4th District Court of Appeals ordered…