Conference: West Suburban Silver
Head coach: Jon Beutjer
2024 record: 11-1 (Lost 24-7 to Naperville Central in the Class 8A quarterfinals)
2025 outlook:
Last year was historic for the Lions, who had their first unbeaten regular season since going 6-0-2 in 1970 and reached the state quarterfinals for the second time in three years.
Much of that team graduated, but four starters return on each side of the ball. Two of them are three-year, two-way regulars: senior two-way lineman Roman Sosnovyy and senior tight end/linebacker Brady Rusk. Senior running back/linebacker Patrick Cheney also is a returning two-way regular.
The other starters back are senior offensive lineman Jimmy Hillman and senior linebacker Lou Ratcliffe.
Sosnovyy and Cheney both have multiple scholarship offers. Senior quarterback Jack Slightom is committed to Cincinnati for baseball, while junior tight end Owen Matela has a Kent State offer.
Other veterans back include linebacker/running back Frank Suero; defensive back/running back Cole Harris; defensive back/receivers Anthony Pearson, Sam Froelich and Lukas Sanguinet; two-way lineman Jakub Radecki; defensive lineman Sean Malinowski and linebacker/defensive lineman Miko Zecevic. All are seniors except Harris, who’s a junior.
Other newcomers to keep an eye on include running back EJ Kuhlman, linebacker Nathan Fitzgerald, defensive backs Brady Koren and Ian Collins, and receivers Tyler Stamm and Grant Smith. Collins and Smith are sophomores, while the others are juniors.
Schedule
Aug. 29 at Joliet Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 5 Wheaton Warrenville South, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Morton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 Hinsdale Central, 12:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 at Glenbard West, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 3 at Proviso West, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 10 at Oak Park-River Forest, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 17 Downers Grove North, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 24 York, 7:30 p.m.