By Michael Wojtychiw
As we kick off the 2022-2023 Boys Football season, Kenwood looks to defend their title, as the Broncos won their first-ever Football City Championship in 2021. While Kenwood will be one of many top Chicago Public League teams to watch, there are many other incredible stories and teams across all of our participating schools that you may not know about. Please find team, conference and athlete previews as told by Michael Wojtychiw and the coaches themselves.
Blue Southeast
School: DuSable Panthers
Last Year’s Record: 0-9
Returning starters (Name, position, class, stats if available):
Anthony Calhoun, OL/DL, Sr.
Michael Jemison, OL/DE, TE, LB, Sr.
Zephaniah Flourney, OL/DL, Sr.
Keon Rodgers, WR, Soph.
Demari Jemison, WR, Jr.
Key newcomers (Name, position, class):
Chad McMath, QB, Fr.
Dawayne Dennis, LB, Soph.
Season outlook:
When Dusable and Fenger play each other, it will be the first time in both CPL and the state that two women head coaches battle.
Blue Southwest
School: Tilden Blue Devils
Last Year’s Record: 3-6
Returning starters (Name, position, class):
Ryan Cruz, RB/SS, Sr.
Jeremiah Saurders, QB/FS, Sr.
Darius Hardin, TE/DE, Jr.
Season outlook:
The team looks to rebuild and restore the history of Tilden football. The glory days included when Suntimes Player of the Year Dempsey Norman played here.
Blue West
School: Juarez Eagles
Last Year’s Record: Forfeited
Returning starters (Name, position, class):
Narciso Becerril, OL/DL, Sr.
Oscar Rodriguez, QB/DB, Soph.
David Garcia, RB/LB, Jr.
Oscar Salgado, TE/DE, Soph.
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Rafael Hernandez, OL/DL, Junior
Emilio Roman, OL/DL, Sophomore
Noe Mora, OL/DL, Sophomore
Victor Melgarejo, QB/LB, Jr.
Key newcomers (Name, position, class):
Isaac Lopez, WR/DB, Soph.
Antonio Robledo, OL/DL, Jr.
School: Kelly College Prep Trojans
Last Year’s Record: 4-4
Social Media Handle: @Kelly_Prep (Twitter), @Kellycp_Football (Instagram)
Starters returning (Name, position, class):
Frankie Cruz, G/LB, Sr.
Andres Chavez, QB/LB, Jr.
Jassiel Chavez Soph WR/CB, Soph.
Isaiah Sandoval Jr WR/LB, Jr.
Kevin Alvarez Jr WR/LB, Jr.
Mateo Lopez Jr C/DT, Jr.
Leonard Losoya JrT/DT, Jr.
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Yahir Luvianos, G/DE
Silvia Magallanes, WR/S
Awwal Ogunsolu, WR/CB
Jacob Rodriguez, RB/LB
Jacob Ramirez, WR/CB
Matthew Reese, WR/CB
Gael Suarez, WR/LB
Josiah Velez, WR/CB
Angel Herrera, T/DT
Axel Duran, G/LB
Erick Luvianos, G/DT
Newcomers to watch (Name, position, class):
Juan Jamaica, T/DE, Fr.
Francisco Patino, T/DE, Fr.
Christian Cruz, WR/CB, Fr.
Anthony Reynolds, T/DT, Fr.
Brian Franco, T/DT, Fr.
Daniel Cruz, T/DT, Fr.
Season outlook:
We have an interesting season ahead of us, this is my first year as head coach of Kelly College Prep. Our team has transformed a bit and we have moved into a spread pass heavy offense. We have a young but hungry team that is excited for this season. I have a few stand out performers that I am excited to see their results this season. Andres Chavez is new to quarterback this year but has a great arm and is very athletic. Jassiel Chavez is a standout Wide Receiver with great route running skills and amazing hands, and is going into his sophomore year. Jacob Rodriguez is a senior this year and is also a great RB with great understanding for blocking and a nose for finding gaps.
Red Central
School: UIC College Prep Firecats
Last Year’s Record: 5-4
Social media handle: @UICfirecatFB (Twitter)
Returning starters (Name, position, class):
Avontae Mitchell, OLB, Sr.
Lebron Seymore, CB, Sr.
Matias Ramirez, DL, Sr.
Malikai Torres, ILB, Sr.
Fabian Lopez, ILB, Sr.
Nick Avila, DE, Sr.
Vick Avila, DE, Sr.
Diego Herrera, OL/DL, Sr.
Alex Peña, DE, Sr.
Erick Franco, Slot, Jr.
Jeremy Hackett, OL, Jr.
Kenny Tolliver, DL, Jr.
LaDarius Sanders, WR, Jr.
Davion Dickerson, DL, Soph.
Noah Muñoz, OL, Soph.
Cristian Cration, OL, Soph.
Onix Lopez, OL, Soph.
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Jeremiah Lopez, QB, Jr.
Marshawn Banks, LB/RB, Jr.
Malachi Holmes, WR, Jr.
Uriel Ward, DL, Jr.
Jaylin McCray, DB, Jr.
Angel Gutierrez, LB, Sr.
Key newcomers (Name, position, class):
Eli Viciente, QB, Fr.
Marcelo Aguilar II, RB, Fr.
Bryce Townsend, TE, Jr.
Javier Vazquez, DL, Sr.
Eugene Elem, WR, Sr.
Denzel Ward, WR, Sr.
Season outlook:
“We are entering year two of our team rebuild. We took a two year hiatus in 2019 and 2020 followed by going 5-4 in the fall 2021 season and finishing second in our conference. We won our last three games in 2021, including a close 14-12 game against Chicago Academy in the crossover game at the end of the season. This is the first year, to my knowledge that UICCP is eligible for IHSA playoffs. We are young and we are hungry. We feel like we are ready for the challenge of playing in the Red Division and look forward to many great games in the Red Central Conference.” – UIC Prep coach Richard Stahman
Red North Central
School: Amundsen Vikings
Last Year’s Record:8-2
Social media handle: @AHSFOOTBALL01 (Twitter)
Returning starters (Name, position, class):
Adam Muench,WR/FS 2023 (24 offensive TDs and 1,100 all purpose yards)
Jamarion Hemphill, ATH, 2023 (47 tackles 1 sack and 1 INT)
Jaime Garfias, RB/LB, 2023 (39 tackles)
Elisha Hernandez, QB/WR, 2023 (1,400 yards passing, 18 Touchdowns)
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Chris Clark QB 2023
Nick Prestipino DE/OT 2024
Max Michonski DE/WR 2024
Derrick Weems OL/DT 2025
Michael Wojtach OL/DT 2025
Key newcomers (Name, position, class):
Will Odiase OL 2023
Kael O’Conor RB/LB 2024
Edwin Soto DB 2025
Ryan Mcmunn RB/LB 2024
School: Mather Rangers
Last Year’s Record: 6-4
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Jaylen Orr, LB/RB, Jr.
Kalos Ibarra, OL/DL
Key newcomers (Name, position, class):
John Almeida, OL, Sr.
Season outlook:
We have a relatively young team. We only have 3 seniors returning from last year. We are hoping to build off our 6-3 record from last year and establish a winning culture at Mather.
School and Nickname: Steinmetz College Prep Silver Streaks
Last Year’s Record: 4-5
Returning starters (Name, position, class):
Ja’Mari Scott, RB, Sr.
Antonio Murphy, QB, Sr.
Darius Hawkins, WR, Soph.
Xavier Howard, OT, Jr.
Da’Mari Pinson, OT, Soph.
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class, stats if available):
Javarius Green, MLB, Jr.
Sam Pace, C, Soph.
Kyziah Jones, DE, Soph.
Julian Ortega, LB, Soph.
Tyquan Turner, WR, Soph.
Justin Perez, OT, Jr.
Adrian Ramos, LB, Soph.
Carlos Massariegoz, DT, Soph.
Key newcomers (Name, position, class):
Corniel Griggs, RB, Soph.
J’Zharion Moore, WR, Soph.
Carlos Morales, OT, Fr.
Corniel Clay, DB, Jr.
Keith Tankson, DB, Jr.
Armani Williams, WR, Fr.
Juan Lazalde, LB, Jr.
Season outlook:
WE are excited about the upcoming season. We are a young team that is hungry to compete in the Great RED NORTH of Chicago. We want to prove that Steinmetz is the best in the NorthWest.
School: Sullivan Tigers
Last Year’s Record: 6-4
Social media handle: @ChicagoSULLIVA1 (Twitter)
Returning starters (Name, position, class):
Bayo Aina, WR/CB, Sr.
Stephen Duncan, RB/DT, Sr.
Marcelis Barber, QB/OLB, Jr.
Kazeem Komolafe, RB/OLB, Sr.
Semjae Olandipo, RG/DT, Sr.
David Ceber, WR/ILB/P, Sr.
George Quist, DE/TE, Sr.
Orphee Ngimbous, MLB, Sr.
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Jonah Martin, CB, Sr.
Canye McCoy, DT/ILB, Soph.
Benjamin Piludu, LG/DT, Jr.
Key newcomers (Name, position, class):
Charles Harris Jr., G/C, Fr.
Season outlook:
The emergence of junior quarterback Marcelis Barber will be key as he looks to lead the Sullivan offense. Sullivan returns nine starters on a dominant defense which gave up only 271 yards in 10 total games, lowest in the Red-North Central conference. The defense is lead by senior MLB Orphee Ngimbous. Special Teams standout David Ceber, a punter who averaged 44yrds per punt & an average hang time of 4.6 seconds will be looking to flip the field position for the Tigers.
School: Von Steuben Panthers
Last Year’s Record: 4-5
Social media handle: @VonpanthersFB (Twitter)
Returning starters (Name, position, class):
Michael McNally, QB, Sr.
Antonio Sellers, WR, Sr.
Joele Arzuaga, LB, Jr.
Oscar Guzman, DB, Jr.
Caleb Pennington, DT, Jr.
Matteo Mathias-Lopp, DL/LB, Sr.
Joshua Tanksley, OL/DL, Soph.
Henry Darlage, OL/DL, Jr.
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Andy Rodriguez Jr., DB, Sr.
Godswill Achinivu, WR/QB, Jr.
Keith Davis, WR, Jr.
Roy Luna, LB, Jr.
Sebastian Milan, OL/DL, Jr.
Saul Rodriguez, LB/WR, Jr.
Key newcomers (Name, position, class):
Dennis Djirackor, RB/DB, Soph.
Mohammad Neder, WR, Sr.
Connor Arbuckle, LB, Jr.
Alexon Arceneaux, DL, Soph.
Malik Young, LB/OL, Sr.
Mack Martinez, RB/DB, Jr.
Season outlook: New Head Coach Carlos Jones takes over the program and the offense after serving as the DC the last two seasons…With plenty of talent returning as well as talented newcomers Von looks to be dangerous on both sides of the ball… The offense will be led by Michael McNally (QB), Antonio Sellers (WR), and Joshua Tanksley (LT)…The defense led by Joele Arzuaga (LB), Caleb Pennington (DT), and Oscar Guzman (DB).
Red South Central
School: King College Prep Jaguars
Last Year’s Record: 6-4
Returning starters (Name, position, class):
Konnor Thompkins, OLB/DE, Sr.
Semaj Williams, LB, Sr.
Donnie Blount, C/DT, Sr.
Jordan Matthews, OLB/DE, Sr.
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Calvin Savage, LB, Jr.
Joshua Polk, DB, Sr.
Andreis Lawson, DB, Sr.
Dennis Conda, DB/WR, Soph.
Key newcomers (Name, position, class):
Jaden Thomas, QB, Soph.
Jaylin Jones, WR/LB, Sr.
Season outlook:
We look to finish #1 in conference play and get a state playoff bid.
Red Southeast
School: Sarah E. Goode Knights
Last Year’s Record: 7-3
Returning starters (Name, position, class):
Marques Whiteurst, RB/LB, Sr. (13 TDs, 26 Carries for 306 yds, leading tackler with 43 tackles; offer from Elmhurst University)
Martese Whiteurst, RB/DE/now QB, Sr. (9 TDs, 54 carries for 556 yds, 4 fumble Recoveries for 97 yds and two TD; offer from Elmhurst University)
Yasir Burton, OT, Sr. (offer from Elmhurst University)
Malek Howard, NG, Sr.
Calvieon Williams, FS, Sr. (2 Int)
Joaquin Martinez-Ortiz- TE/DT, Sr.
Alejandro Guzman- OG, Sr.
Carlos Pacheco- C, Sr.
Elijah Edwards- OG/DT, Sr.
James Fulks- OT, Jr.
Clarence Davis DB, Jr.
Nicholas Thrower- TE, Jr.
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Chadd Harrison, DE, Soph.
Julien Gonzalez, DB, Soph.
Julius Jaquez-Flores- WR/SS/QB, Jr.
Key newcomers (Name, position, class):
Oscar Cortez, LB, Jr.
Season outlook:
We are looking to win conference for the third consecutive season and try to make a run in the state playoffs. We have never gotten past the 1st round and hope to do so and more behind a talented set of twins Martese and Marques Whiteurst.
School: South Shore International College Prep Tars
Last Year’s Record: 9-0
Social media handle: SSICP_FB (Instagram)
Returning starters (Name, position, class):
Kyrin Woods, ATH, Sr.
Justen Norris, ATH, Soph.
Reggie Craig, ATH, Soph.
Jaylem Williams, DE, Sr.
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Devin Sloan, WR/DB, Jr.
Zebidiah Winford, WR/DB, Soph.
Quincy Garret, OL/DL, Sr.
Shareef Gresham, OL/DL, Sr.
Key newcomers (Name, position, class):
Christopher Simmons, DL, Soph.
Omari O’Neal, DB/WR, Jr.
Season outlook: Our goal is to take this extremely young but talented team to the state playoffs. It hasn’t been done in a while here at SSICP. We are firm believers that with our “ALL IN” mentality we can have a great deal of success this season. #GOTARS
Red West
School: Bulls Prep Bulls
Last Year’s Record: 5-5
Social media handle: @BullsPrepFB
Returning starters (Name, position, class):
Cristian Bankston, QB/S, Sr.
Kameron Pointer, WR/DB, Sr.
Kelvin Daniels, OL/DL, Sr.
Damarion Williams, RB/LB, Sr.
Season outlook:
The Bulls are looking to build off their first-ever state playoff appearance and compete for a conference championship.
School: Kennedy Crusaders
Last Year’s Record: 5-4
Returning starters (Name, position, class):
Marcus Figgins, OT, Sr.
Ian Martinez, RB, Sr.
Nate Carrero, LB, Sr.
Jan Koscielniak, DE, Jr.
Estevan Pena, LB, Jr.
Dominic Ruiz, DE, Sr.
Nicholas Rivera, DEF, Sr.
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Vince Carrero, QB, Jr.
Chris DeLeon, OL, Soph.
Jose Hernandez, DB, Soph.
Bryan Lukasczyk, OL, Jr.
Abraham Prieto, LB, Soph.
Jacob Suarez, C, Sr.
Kevin Vargas, OL, Sr.
Key newcomers (Name, position, class):
Jonathan Castro, WR, Soph.
Kamarion, McCarter, WR, Soph.
Season outlook:
We lost a lot of seniors from last year’s team, but we have a solid group of up and comers who are excited to show what they can do this season.
School: Lincoln Park Lions
Last Year’s Record: 1-8
Returning starters (Name, position, class):
Randy Braimah, QB, Sr.
Charles Economou, T, Sr.
Amiel Maloney, T, Sr.
Meyshawn Phipps, WR, Sr.
Stephon Phillips, WR, Sr.
Emmanuel Adyemi, DT, Sr.
Natrell Anderson, CB, Jr.
Christian Beckom, LB, Sr.
Keontae Maddox, LB, Jr.
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Anius Finch, RB, Sr.
Will Collins, S, Sr.
Key newcomers (Name, position, class):
Gus Wentland, WR, Jr.
Cam Givens, C, Soph.
Aiden De Le Torre, CB, Jr.
Nathan Nungaray, CB, Jr.
Elijah Ramos, LB, Jr.
Adam Benyaich, LB, Jr.
Season outlook:
New coach, new look on offense and defense…Strong senior class looks to lead team back to playoffs in new conference…QB Randy Braimah returns after missing most of junior year with injury…Anius Finch, Stephon Phipps, and Meyshawn Phipps are main skill players on offense…Defense lead by seniors Chris Beckom and Emmanuel Adyemi…Amiel Maloney does it all as tackle, end, punter, and kicker.
