Conference: South Suburban Red
Head coach: Tony Sheehan
2024 record: 11-2 (Lost 48-0 to East St. Louis in the Class 6A semifinals)
2025 outlook:
The bar is always high at Richards, which hasn’t missed the IHSA playoffs since 2008 and is coming off its second semifinal berth since 2018.
Star running back Myles Mitchell has left for FCS power North Dakota State, but there’s plenty of experience with 14 returning starters from the South Suburban Red champions.
Senior defensive back Ahmad Buchanan (6-1, 190) has offers from Akron and Miami (Ohio) and is one of six defensive regulars returning. Also back are senior lineman/linebackers Johnny Lipscomb (6-1, 225) and Nathan Cole (6-0, 220), senior defensive back Emmanuel Mahonie (5-10, 165) and junior linemen Kam’ron Norwood (6-0, 190) and Kahmari Flowers (6-0, 185).
Junior defensive lineman Sincere Harris, a transfer from Eisenhower, has offers from Ball State, Central Michigan and Miami (Ohio).
Senior quarterback Noah Escobedo (5-10, 170) is back to run the offense, and three senior receivers also return as starters: Jaiden Henry (6-1, 178), who has a Western Illinois offer; Kamani Sapara (5-9, 165) and Carmelo Palumbo (5-10, 165).
There’s also a veteran presence up front with four starters back on the offensive line: junior Josh Valenzuela (6-4, 285) and seniors Gary Frasher (5-10, 210), Cole and Timothy Merriweather (6-1, 300).
Some other newcomers to watch: junior quarterback/running back/defensive back Eric Jacobs, sophomore defensive back Pierre Ray and junior receiver Logan Sales.
Schedule
Aug. 29 Crete-Monee, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 5 at Sandburg, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Reavis, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 Eisenhower, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 26 Shepard, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 Argo, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 10 at Oak Lawn, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 Lemont, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 24 at Evergreen Park, 7 p.m.