2016 Illinois Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: 2015-16 highlights - Jake Marwede
See the Loyola Academy star in action


1. Loyola Academy (Wilmette)
Head coach: John Holecek
2015 record: 14-0
Team preview

Though returning just three starters on both sides of the football, the Ramblers are given a good shot at repeating last year's unbeaten Class 8A state championship run. Colgate recruit Jack Badovinac, a 6-foot-1, 265-pound senior, is an outstanding offensive guard who gets strong support from senior tackle John Brekke (6-2, 270). Duke recruit Jake Marwede (6-5, 230) is one of the best tight ends in the country and senior cornerback Ian Swenson (6-2, 190) is another Division I recruit. Leading tackler Anthony Romano (6-0, 215) brought down 108 ballcarriers last year as a junior linebacker, while his running mate Graham Repp (6-0, 203) was close behind with 95 tackles. Quarterback will be manned by either senior Tommy Herion (6-0, 190) or junior Quinn Boyle (6-0, 190).

See the Illinois computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard



2. Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn)
Head coach: Chad Hetlet
2015 record: 14-0
Team preview

The defending Class 7A champion Hilltoppers also will be strong again, with four offensive and seven defensive starters back hoping for a repeat. Start with a pair of two-way senior standouts - Jackson Goleash (6-2, 195) and Dionte Moorehead (6-3, 225). Goleash had 34 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions last year and also will play some running back, while Moorehead had 27 tackles, five sacks and ran for 420 yards and five touchdowns. Senior linebacker Chris Langan (6-1, 205) made 54 tackles, two interceptions and recovered a pair of fumbles. Senior defensive back Justice Bradley (5-11, 150) had five interceptions. Senior guard Will Farley (6-3, 228) anchors a strong offensive line. Coach Chad Hetlet calls this "the fastest team we've had in the last 10 years."

See the MaxPreps national football videos page

3. Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort)
Head coach: Rob Zvonar
2015 record: 8-3
Team preview Always a powerhouse, the Griffins will be even better in the future with the influx of approximately 600 more students from crosstown rival North, which closed its doors in the spring. They return four starters on offense and three on defense. The big addition is quarterback Jake Arthur (6-1, 160), who completed 103 of 164 passes for 1,510 yards and 20 touchdowns with just two interceptions and ran for four touchdowns as a junior at North. Senior running back Nigel Muhammad (5-7, 160) rushed 79 times for 704 yards and had eight catches for 119 yards for a total of 10 touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Jeremy Nelson (6-4, 195) accounted for 15 catches and three touchdowns. Senior offensive lineman Sam Diehl (6-3, 285) has made over 100 pancake blocks in two years and will get plenty of help from junior Jake Buhe (6-2, 245), who had 20 pancake blocks as a sophomore. Junior defensive lineman Devin O'rourke (6-6, 230) had five sacks as a sophomore, while senior linebacker Henry Palmer (6-1, 190) had 30 tackles.

See the MaxPreps Illinois football photos page

4. Chicago Mt. Carmel
Head coach: Frank Lenti
2015 record: 10-3
Team preview



Though Mt. Carmel returns a total of just four starters, it still will have great line play on both sides of the ball and legendary Frank Lenti on the coaching sidelines. Lenti, who turns 65 in September, has an outstanding 32-year record of 357-65 with 11 state titles and five runner-up finishes. The offensive line will be anchored by junior tackle Verdis Brown (6-4, 290) and senior guard Tucker Gill (6-1, 250). North Dakota State recruit Phazione McClurge (6-2, 185), a safety with great hands, made 49 solo tackles and three interceptions as a junior, while Macauley Kilbane (5-11, 190) had 40 solo tackles and three interceptions, also as a junior. Northern Illinois recruit Michael Kennedy (6-1, 195) ran 86 times as a junior for 707 yards and nine touchdowns. Versatile junior Alek Thomas (5-10, 165) ran 32 times for 253 yards and four touchdowns, caught 18 passes for 236 yards and returned kicks for a total of 661 yards.

See the MaxPreps Illinois high school football playoff brackets

5. Phillips (Chicago)
Head coach: Troy McAllister
2015 record: 14-0
Team preview

Chicago's first public league state football champion boasts plenty of firepower to repeat and hold its own against the schools with larger enrollments. The Wildcats will build around four offensive and seven defensive starters. Senior running back Kamari Mosby (5-9, 195), who runs a 4.48 40, rushed 228 times last year for 2,304 yards and 18 touchdowns. Junior quarterback J'Bore Gibbs (6-2, 190) started two playoff games and accounted for 572 yards and seven touchdowns. Western Michigan recruit Chris Elmore (6-0, 290) made 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for losses. Northern Illinois recruit Dexter Warren (6-0, 175) had five interceptions, two for touchdowns, as a junior. Senior center Daurice Lee (6-0, 265) was an all-city standout last year.