Conference: Public League Southwest
Head coach: Robert Albano
2024 record: 7-3 (Lost 44-0 to Oak Forest in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs)
2025 outlook:
The Crusaders are coming off one of the best seasons in program history, going unbeaten to win the White Southwest title and earning their second-ever IHSA playoff berth.
Twenty-two seniors graduated from that team, but there are some key pieces returning.
Starters back are senior offensive tackle/tight end Xavier Guzman (6-4, 185), junior offensive guard/defensive tackle Nathan Brewer (5-10, 225), senior receiver/cornerback Victor Leal (6-0, 150) and junior receiver/cornerback Jacob Tunstill (5-10, 150).
Six more players return who are expected to step into bigger roles: junior running back Victor Sandoval (5-5, 135), junior center Logan Alvarez (6-1, 230), sophomore offensive lineman Hector Bahena (5-11, 220), senior receiver Brandon Martinez (6-1, 155), senior receiver/tight end Angel Jaquez (6-1, 170) and sophomore linebacker/running back Sergio Medina (5-10, 160).
There’s also a half-dozen newcomers who should contribute. Three are transfers: junior two-way lineman Xavier R. Guzman (6-1, 250), senior offensive lineman/linebacker Jacob Reyes (6-2, 205) and junior quarterback Mason Rychetsky (6-3, 175). Rychetsky was back at Kennedy for the baseball season in the spring and emerged as one of the city’s top pitchers.
Also keep an eye on two players up from the JV team: sophomore quarterback/safety Alex Hernandez (5-10, 140) and junior offensive lineman Yoel Rios (5-10, 220). And junior two-way lineman Saul Pulido (5-10, 300) returns from injury this season.
Schedule
Aug. 29 Clemente, 4:15 p.m.
Sept. 5 at Lincoln Park, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Phoenix, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 Ag. Science, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 Muchin, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 Hubbard, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 Comer, 5 p.m.
Oct. 18 at Vocational, 12:30 p.m.
Oct. 24 TBD