North Cook News

It's shaping up to be an interesting fall at Maine South -- and not just because alumna Hillary Clinton is running for president.

The tradition-rich Hawks football program has 19 letterwinners back -- including five starters on each side of the ball -- from a team that went 8-3 in 2015. An influx of players from successful underclassmen teams are on the way, as well.

“Juniors will contribute, especially at skill positions,” Hawks Coach David Inserra said in an email interview with North Cook News. “But as with any good program, we are senior-laden and they must get the job done.”

One MSHS senior about whom there are few, if any, concerns is left guard Kevin Jarvis. A four-star recruit according to 247sports.com, Jarvis has committed to Michigan State and ranks as one of the top offensive guards in the country.

“Jarvis is a horse -- it's good to have him on our side,” Inserra said. “He gives everyone confidence. He is definitely first man off the bus.”

Among the other key returners on offense for the Hawks are junior running back Fotis Kokosioulis (1,500 all-purpose yards, 14 touchdowns), senior wide receiver Matt Holbrook (34 catches, 456 yards) and senior wide receiver Luke Hinkamp.

Newcomers to the offense this season include senior dual-threat quarterback, senior left tackle Dan O'Malley and junior wide receivers Cam Stacy and Rory Hayes.

Senior linebackers Jack Pistorius and Mike Pusateri and senior defensive tackle Emmett Zima head up the top returners on defense. The kicking game remains in good hands with senior Sean McNulty (15 field goals in two seasons).

Maine South will have to hit the ground running this season thanks to a tough start to the schedule. The Hawks open against two defending state champions -- Montini on Aug. 26 at home and Loyola Academy on the road at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 3 -- and then travel to Barrington (9-2 last season) for a 7:30 p.m. game on Sept. 9.

“We are better than last year. But our front-end schedule is brutal,” Inserra said.

 

MAINE WEST

The Warriors are looking to improve on last year's 3-6 record.

Maine West has two key returners back on the offensive line in Stephen Cutro and Jared Brogni, with fellow linemen Danny Arvizu and Julian Bahena cited as newcomers to watch by Warriors Head Coach Jason Kradman in an email interview with North Cook News.

Also back on offense is tight end Matt Kentgen, receiver-running back Marteen Robinson and wide receiver Will Lowrey.

On defense, lineman Mike Milewsky, defensive back Matt Litas and end and linebacker Malik Siem return.

Other top newcomers include receiver-defensive back Jonaas Drain, receiver-running back Ricky English, linebacker Danny Arvizu and defensive lineman Walter Hutt.

 

SCHAUMBURG

A wealth of experience returns on defense for the Saxons, who went 5-5 with a playoff berth last year.

The linebacker corps has three seniors who are also three-year starters: Austin Anzelmo, Matt Eaker and John Macneal-Young. Senior Dakari Ferguson, who has been mostly a ball-carrier, will start at cornerback this season and “has been receiving considerable college interest as a corner,” SHS head coach Mark Stilling said in an email to North Cook News.

Ferguson will be joined in the secondary by three key returners: seniors Dan Galovich and Anthony Nix, and junior Logan Knox. Seniors Dhivan Patel and Tyler Fredrickson are back on the defensive line.

Some players who will be getting more action this season include junior running back Jordan Salgado, who had 100 yards rushing in the playoff-clinching win over Fremd; sophomore wide receiver Heze Trotter, who started in the playoff game; and junior defensive end Jack Lancaster.

 

Note: Some coaches did not submit information before this story went to press.