With the NFL preseason getting into full swing last weekend, several local players had notable efforts.
Former Nazareth and Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, a first-round pick for Minnesota in 2024, made his first appearance since a preseason knee injury last year and led the Vikings to a field-goal drive on Aug. 9.
He finished 4 of 7 for 30 yards in the 12-play drive and the Vikings went on to beat Houston 20-10 in Minneapolis.
“Had a little tear drop, not going to lie,” McCarthy told reporters after the game. “This game is the best game in the world. To be out there with this kind of group, and the coaching staff, was absolutely terrific.”
Former Oak Lawn star Jalan Gaines, who is in Seattle’s camp, blocked a field-goal attempt by Las Vegas’s Daniel Carlson on the final play of a 23-23 tie on Aug. 7.
Gaines is a linebacker out of Illinois State who was signed as an undrafted free agent in April.
Meanwhile, former Richards and Iowa standout Sebastian Castro racked up two tackles and an assist for Pittsburgh in a 31-25 win over Jacksonville on Aug. 9.
Castro is a safety who was also undrafted and signed in April.
Summer of Tess
Tess Rybowiak is having a great 2025 so far.
She was named Shepard’s girls volleyball coach and said she is looking forward to this season after watching her team play well in the summer. She also coached her club team — 1st Alliance White — to the AAU national championship in the 17U Aspire Division in July in Orlando.
Mother McAuley’s Emily Zaper and Marist’s Isabella Scalise were on the team and Zaper won the tournament MVP award.
Rybowiak, a California native who is now living in Orland Park, proved she has the chops to coach a team to an elite finish. She also has three years of high school coaching in California on her resume.
But Rybowiak wants to be more than just a coach to her players.
“I fell into coaching, and I wanted to be the type of coach that I never had as a player,” she said. “I want to be someone who encourages positive things. You are coaching people and not just players.
“I want to make sure that I’m a positive role model and someone they trust as a mentor rather than just a coach that comes in and comes out and checks out of their job. I like being a part of their lives in a positive way and can inspire them to do more outside the sport.”
Shepard has had a solid program, and since 2009 has not had a losing season. However, the Astros’ last regional championship came in 1992.
“I want to bring some team culture into the program,” she said. “I want them to get to know my style.
“My style is a lot of positive corrections. It’s more than just the sport. You have to facilitate and foster a good environment where they feel OK to push growth. I want to challenge them in a positive manner. That way, they see a higher goal and grow.”
Great programs
The Southwest Regional Publishing area has some strong athletic programs, according to a study using data from the U.S. Department of Education plus survey feedback from parents and students, and published in the USA Today. Mount Carmel was ranked third in Illinois behind first-place Lincoln-Way East and second-place Loyola.
Marist was fifth, Nazareth sixth and St. Rita seventh.
Staying with the program
Moraine Valley alum Jaelyn Donald has been hired as the new Cyclones women’s volleyball coach.
That brings the total to six alums who are head coaching Moraine Valley teams.
Donald joins Ari Bulthuis (softball), Dmitri Dimizas (cross country), Nick Karczynski (men’s tennis), Matt Lovelace (golf) and Simona Tomczak (women’s tennis).