CONFERENCE: Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference Green
HEAD COACH: Martin Hopkins
2023 RECORD: 8-5 (lost in first round of Class 7A playoffs; won Prep Bowl)
OUTLOOK: While 2023 wasn’t looking all that special for a Mustangs team that lost in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs, they went wild in the Catholic League playoffs and won the Prep Bowl.
But for a program that was in the IHSA 5A state championship game in 2019 and the Class 7A title game in 2021, and advanced to the Class 7A semifinals in 2022, it was a disappointing season.
A player to keep an eye on this year is senior running back Nick Herman. He was a backup last year, but in a spot start for the injured DJ Stewart ran for 152 yards and had a 55-yard kickoff return in a 20-9 victory over St. Laurence, a team that went on to finish runner-up in Class 4A.
Junior quarterback Steve Armbruster also picked up some playing time as a sophomore when starter Jett Hilding was hurt.
“We have a small group of seniors on our team, but we do return a lot of guys with playing experience,” second-year coach Martin Hopkins said. “A lot of (current) juniors got to take varsity snaps last year, which was a great experience.”
DID YOU KNOW?: In 2015, Mustangs coach Martin Hopkins was the MVP of the Papa Hops 16-inch charity softball tournament, which takes place in Beverly and Mount Greenwood.
—Jeff Vorva
SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 Sandburg, 7:30
Sept. 6 Mount Carmel, 7:30
Sept. 13 at Brother Rice, 7
Sept. 20 at Wheaton St. Francis, 7:30
Sept. 27 Niles Notre Dame, 7:30
Oct. 4 Nazareth, 7:30
Oct. 11 at Leo, 7:30
Oct. 18 St. Patrick, 7:30
Oct. 25 IC Catholic, 7:30