Conference: South Suburban Red
Head coach: John Rone
2025 record: 4-6 (Lost 42-21 to Bradley-Bourbonnais in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs)
2026 outlook:
The Astros will lean on an experienced secondary that features four returning starters: senior safety Joey Massey (6-0, 185), senior cornerback Xavier Exum (5-11, 160) and junior safeties Jack Mucha (6-0, 155) and Anthony Gibbs (5-10, 170).
Massey had 66 tackles, five interceptions, 11 pass breakups and a TD last year, while Exum broke up four passes and picked off another. Mucha finished with 25 tackles and two tackles for loss, while Gibbs forced two fumbles, recovered another and scored a touchdown.
Junior defensive end Jay Rone (6-1, 205), coach John Rone’s son, also is back as a starter. He had five tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.
Three skill players return as offensive starters, led by speedy senior running back/receiver Aarien Lee. He played less than seven games because of injury, but still had 681 rushing yards, 196 receiving yards and nine total TDs.
Also back are senior receiver Evan Heiden (6-0, 175), who had 209 receiving yards and two TDs, and junior receiver Brendin Thomas, who caught three TD passes.
Senior receiver Maalik Wright (6-1, 170), who missed most of last season with a broken wrist, is back and healthy. Four juniors to watch are defensive tackle Josh Maxwell (6-2, 275), quarterback Ashton Hite (6-2, 180), offensive lineman Eric Heiden (6-2, 265) and running back/defensive back Elijah Molley (5-10, 170).