Chicago Public League Sports Blog

2009 Illini Heartland Schedule Released

2009 Illini Heartland Schedules Page has been released and can permanently be found on the football schedules page.

2009 CPS Illini-Prairie State Football Conference Overview

 

Lincoln Park (right) and Jason Stigler (#1- right) will be new to the Illini-Prairie State conference - the most known CPS football conference because of Morgan Park and Hubbard.

2009 Illini Prairie State Teams:

Amundsen
CVS
Hubbard
Lincoln Park
Morgan Park
Steinmetz

As long as Morgan Park and Hubbard are in the conference the Illini Prairie State conference will ALWAYS be the strongest and most talked about conference in the CPS. And all rightfully so. Morgan Park and Hubbard are the two CPS teams that consistently go deeper in the state playoffs year in and year out than any other CPS teams and that includes Robeson, Simeon, and Lane Tech. It was no different last year as both teams won state playoff games versus suburban opponents. Hubbard romped Oak Lawn 27-9 in the first round of the state playoffs before falling to state quarter finalist Glenbard South by a tight score of 14-7. Morgan Park beat a 7-2 Crystal Lake Central team in the first round before falling to class 6A state runner up Lemont in the 2nd round. In fact, Hubbard and Morgan Park were the ONLY two CPS teams to win a state playoff game in any class. Because of Morgan Park's and Hubbard's presence in this conference I'm going to expand my preview of this conference. I'll start out with an overview and then go more in detail on individual teams and players.

Last year

Last year the Illini Prairie State consisted of Hubbard, Morgan Park, Simeon, CVS, Dunbar, and Julian. Hubbard, Morgan Park, and Simeon all finished with 4-1 conference records with Simeon beating Morgan Park, Hubbard beating Simeon, and Morgan Park beating Hubbard. Hubbard was considered the conference champion - probably due to better non-conference record. Here was last year's conference standings:

                W L W L Own Opp.
R-Chicago (Hubbard)      4 1 10 3 403 183
C-Chicago (Morgan Park)    4 1 8 5 402 227
C-Chicago (Simeon)       4 1 8 5 357 259
 Chicago (C. Vocational)    2 3 5 6 209 258
 Chicago (Dunbar)       1 4 4 5 202 198
 Chicago (Julian)       0 5 2 7 90 234

Jason Stigler (sr- 5'7"- 185lbs- RB) from  Lincoln Park brings to the conference over 1500 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns last year.(berecruited photo)

Realignment

For the 2009 season, the CPS decided to do a realignment of conferences. Hubbard, Morgan Park, and CVS stays in the conference. CVS, Dunbar, and Julian goto different conferences. Replacing them will be Lincoln Park and Steinmetz from the Illini-Red Bird conference and Chicago Conference Big Shoulders conference champion Amundsen. Don't expect any of the  new guys to challenge for the conference. Hubbard and Morgan Park will be the prohibitive favorites.

Coming soon Prairie State conference team previews, top players, and predictions....

Illini-Heartland Conference Preview

CPSFan football page

CPS Top Class of 2010 players

Hubbard Greyhounds Store Added to School Store Page

I added a Hubbard Greyhounds Store to the School Store Page.

2009 CPS Illini - Land of Lincoln Football Conference Preview...Part 2

Robeson looks to be flying high again as the favorites to win the Land of Lincoln Conference. (Chicago Defender photo).

2009 Illini Land of Lincoln Teams:

Harlan
Harper
King
Manley
Marshall
Robeson

Team Outlooks (Part 1)

Harper
2008 record = 5-5
Most impressive 2008 Win = win versus Dunbar 36-30
Worst 2008 Loss = 36-0 loss versus Robeson
Neilski's take on Harper
Harper was a bit of an enigma in 2008. They beat tradition power Dunbar 36-30 and played football powerhouse Morgan Park competitively in a 30-14 CPS playoff loss. But at the same time they got crushed 36-0 versus Dunbar and was never in it a 56-6 loss to Kankakee in the state playoffs. Harper will be a rebuilding team as they graduated Jelone Carrol and star running back Cordarrly Banks.

King
2008 record = 5-4
Most impressive 2008 Win = 18-14 victory over Robeson
Worst 2008 Loss = 26-0 loss to Harper
Neilski's take on King
King high school is primarily a rushing team that likes to use many different athletes to carry the ball. That formula worked in last year's 18-14 victory over traditional football power Robeson. Some of the ball carriers that coach Lonnie Williams expects to run with the ball this year include Adam Freeman (5-8; 165lb RB/DB, sr) and Devon Robinson (5-8, 170lb; RB/DB, jr). On the defensive side look out for 2008 leading tackler Vincent Bobbit (DB, 5-10, 165; sr), and sophomore sensation Willie Allen (6-2, 175lb, so). Last year as a freshman Allen led the Jaguars in sacks with 7 and was second in tackles. At 6-2 and 175lbs (and still growing), Allen has the frame combined with athleticism to develop into an impact player.

Manley
2008 record = 6-4
Most impressive 2008 Win = 6-0 win versus Clark
Worst 2008 Loss = 20-14 loss versus Lincoln Park in the CPS playoffs
Neilski's take on Manley
Manley's first game at downstate Geneseo will not be pretty. After that, Manley will be a middle of the road CPS team in 2009. Their big conference games will be against Robeson and Harlan.

Marshall
2008 record = 5-5
Most impressive 2008 Win = 26-6 win over Harper
Worst 2008 Loss = 38-6 loss versus Robeson
Neilski's take on Marshall
Marshall added Raby in Week 1 replacing downstate Rock Island who demolished Marshall 41-0 last year. Marshall returns starting QB Eric Givens (6-2; 180lbs) and middle linebacker Jerald Jones (6-1, 205lbs)

Robeson
2008 record = 9-2
Most impressive 2008 Win = 18-14 victory over Riverside Brookfield
Worst 2008 Loss = 54-13 loss versus Morgan Park
Neilski's take on Robeson
Many expected Robeson to take a bit of a drop off after graduating a lot of it's name brand stars from its stellar 2007 season. But, Robeson would hear not of that as they rolled to an undefeated 9-0 regular season inclduding impressive non-conference victories over Gary West (Indiana) and an even more eye opening win versus state playoff qualifier Riverside Brookfield. Robeson then rolled over their conference opponents. The 2009 Robeson team will be absent any Division I caliber type players as they have had in the past years like Charles Brown (now at Northwestern) and Brandon Green (now at Minnesota). But coach Fabray Collins always has his team ready. Collins is also to track and wrestling coach. He keeps his athletes conditioned year round and makes practically every football player run track in the spring. Look out for senior wide receiver Martinez Young.

Neilski's Land of Lincoln 2009 Predictions

1. Robeson
2. Harlan
3. King
4. Marshall
5. Harper
6. Manley

2009 CPS Illini - Land of Lincoln Football Conference Preview...Part 1 (Harlan)

2009 CPS Illini - Land of Lincoln Football Conference Preview...Part 1 (Harlan)

2009 Illini Land of Lincoln Teams:

Harlan
Harper
King
Manley
Marshall
Robeson

Team Outlooks (Part 1)

 
Harlan's Tashaun Johnson (5-11; 160lbs; jr) passed for over 1000 yards last year and seems to be developing into one of the city's top junior Quarterbacks.

Harlan
2008 record = 6-4
Most impressive 2008 Win = 33-14 over Manley
Worst 2008 Loss = 36-26 loss to a 5-5 Clark team; or a 68-6 annihilation to a very good Antioch team in the first round of the playoffs.
Neilski's take on Harlan: Harlan had an 18 point halftime lead versus Clark last year after quarterback Tashaun Johnson passed for 4 first half touchdowns. All they needed to do was hold on and they would take conference outright. But Clark stormed back in the second half for a 36-26 win.The win was apparently demoralizing as Harlan lost their next game 40-6 versus CVS in the first round of the Public League playoffs and then got crushed 68-6 versus a very good Antioch team in the first round of the playoffs. The good news for Harlan is that star Quarterback Tashuan Johnson returns. Johnson (5-11 160lbs) will only be a junior this year. Johnson passed for over 1000 yards last year as a sophomore. He seems to be developing as one of the top QB's in the city. Johnson will also be helped by the return of Joseph Wright, Harlan's leading rusher last year. Wright at 5-11, 195lbs ran over his opponents last years while averaging 6.8 yards every time he touched the rock. Defensively, the Falcons return Carva Tucker, their leading tackler and at 6-0, 215lb a solid built linebacker. To top it off Harlan made some off season news when they hired Keith Brookshire as their new football coach. Brookshire was a long time assistant coach for Morgan Park under legendary coach Lexie Spurlock.

My outlook on Harlan is that based on their returning skill players from last year in Wright at tailback and Johnson a multi-dimension quarterback, Harlan would have already been good this year. Combine the returning players with an expert football coaching from Brookshire, Harlan has the makings of a very good football team in 2009. I expect Harlan to challenge if not be the favorite for the conference title and they should perform much better in the city and state playoffs.

2009 CPS Illini-Heartland Conference Preview

Darnell Pearson (6-1, 171lbs, sr, WR) of Clark is one of the top players in the Illini-Heartland Conference (scout.com photo)

The Illini-Heartland Conference Preview is the first of a series of football conference previews that I will do for the CPS. I will probably only review Illini-conferences because those are the only ones CPS schools are eligible for the state playoffs. New for 2009 is a realignment of the Illini conferences. Last year, teams in the Heartland Conference were: Manley, Harlan, Brooks, Phillips, Crane, and Clark. This year the conference will include Brooks, Clark, Crane, Hope, Fenger, and Orr.

Team Outlooks

Brooks
Brooks will have a difficult time finding a conference win this year. Last year they were 2-6 with losses to Hubbard 58-0 and Clark 42-0. Their only two wins came against Crane 7-6 and a win less Phillips team 2-0.

Clark
Clark,has to be one of the favorites this year based on their returning offensive firepower from last year. Quarterback Dexter Beverly returns with his wide receiver duo of Erlzo Singleton and Darnell Pearson. Pearson (6-0; 170) and Singleton form one of the city's top wide receiver duo. Also look out for 6-2, 288lb lineman Brandon Robinson.

Crane
Crane is coming off of  back to back 1-8 seasons and maybe headed towards another comparable season record. Their non-conference schedule includes a non-conference week 3 match up against suburban Rich East in week 3. Crane returns senior Willie Tayler.

Tyshaun Beane (jr- RB) will give speed to Fenger at the Running Back position.

Fenger
Fenger holds the distinction of one of the few CPS schools to have beaten a suburban school last year when it beat Seton Academy from South Holland in week 2 last year. But don't expect a repeat this year when they play non-conference games versus Argo of Summit in week 1 and Leo from the Chicago Catholic League in week 2. But after those two games, Fenger should be competitive based on numbers alone. Fenger has one fo the largest rosters in the conference. The key for Fenger will be to find a replacement for star QB Kirkland Brinker. Brinker passed for 1136 yards last year for the Titans - while also qualifying for state sectionals in wrestling. Brinker was also one of the city's top 400 meter runners last year.  Brinker will play football this fall for Joliet Junior College. Fenger returns speedy running back Tyshaun Beane, one of the fastest running backs in the city.

Hope
The Eagles are new to the Illini conference after winning the Chicago Great Lakes Conference last year. But don't expect Hope to be a cake walk. Last year's 7-3 record was not a fluke. They shut out Whitney Young from the Illini Conference by a score of 14-0 record and played CPS runner up Hubbard very competitively in a 17-0 loss.

Orr
Orr is also new to the Illini conference after winning the Chicago Second City Conference. You gotta give Orr some credit for playing a tough non-conference record. This year they play Oak Forest and Wauconda.

Neilski's 2009 Illini Heartland Conference Predictions
1. Clark
2. Fenger
3. Hope
4. Crane
5. Orr
6. Brooks

Some Top Conference Players
Darnell Pearson, Clark (WR, sr)
Earlzo Singleton, Clark (WR, sr)
Tyshaun Beane, Fenger (RB, jr)
Dexter Beverly, Clark (QB, sr)
Willie Tayler, Crane (lineman)
Brandon Robinson, Clark (6-2, 288lbs, sr)
Rodney Loyd , Fenger (WR, sr)

Introducing...2009 CPS Cross Country Schedules Page

I pulled together some CPS cross country schedules on the new CPS Cross Country Page.

Do you want your team on the schedules page? send me an email of their schedule: Publisher@LaneTechFan.com

Neilski's 2009 Top CPS Girls Cross Country Runners (non-freshman)

A sight you will often this year #2 ranked Aden Alemu (left, jr) of Mather battling it out with #1 ranked Lavinia Jurekiewicz (sr) of Whitney Young.

Below is my list of the top 30 CPS Girls in 2009, regardless of class. The list does not include incoming freshman, which in girls cross country is always a factor. Last year state qualifier Whitney Young had 3 freshman in it's top 7. The list does not include injuries, turnover from last year, transfers, or other unexpected happenings. The list can permanently be found on the CPS Runner Fan Page. Feel free to comment.

1. Lavinia Jurkiewicz (sr) - Whitney Young
2. Aden Alemu (jr) - Mather
3. Devyn Thompson (sr) - Whitney Young
4. Nyala Eddings (sr) - Morgan Park
5. Jamie Hershfang (jr) - Payton
6. Breonna Green (sr) - Morgan Park
7. Rachel Joravsky (sr) - Whitney Young
8. Maisie Vaschuska (jr) - Whitney Young
9. Stephanie Pineda (sr) - Lane Tech
10. Veronica Roznyak (so) - Whitney Young
11. Roriann Nalls (so) - Whitney Young
12. Elin Erickson (jr) - Von Steuben
13. Bessie Nolan (sr) - Northside
14. Cade Yankowski (sr) - Jones College Prep
15. Gabriela Spingola (so) - Whitney Young
16. Yoselin Flores (jr) - Kennedy
17. Maddy Sopena (jr) - Lane Tech
18. Kelsey Marron (so) - Payton
19. Hannah Blackwood (so) - Whitney Young
20. Savannah Graham (so) - Payton
21. Katherin Madreno (so) - Washington
22. Marily Angel (sr) - Mather
23. Miranda Shaver (so) - Jones College Prep
24. Corina Salinas (so) - Hubbard
25. Thea Bloom (so) - Lane Tech
26. Morgan Jackson (so) - Whitney Young
27. Adriana Ortiz (sr) - Lake View
28. Shantee Garrett (sr) - Morgan Park
29. Jihan Manzhoui (so) - Lane Tech
30. Venus Rivera (so) - UIC College Prep

Others (no order):

Helena Mietka (sr), Payton
Maria Batista (jr), Kelly
Rachel Smith, Kenwood
Su Yang, Northside Prep
Paola Salazar (sr), Lane Tech
Brooke Pfest (sr), Lincoln Park
Ciana Tabb (sr), Morgan Park

Coach Troy Steps Down as Cross Country Coach at Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park, 6th at the girls varsity level and 5th at the boys varsity level last year will continue it's fine CPS cross country tradition.

There's a shakeup at Lincoln Park High School. Longtime cross country coach Troy Holley has decided to step down as head coach of the cross country team. "I want to focus on family", said Coach Troy last spring an why he is stepping down. "I will still coach track in the spring", said Coach Troy.

Troy has coached some outstanding distance runners the last few years including 800 standout Derek Schnake from two years ago and distance standout Greg Jones. In 2003, Coach Troy Coached Greg Jones to the Lincoln Park High School school record in 3 miles with a time of 15:47.

Although it is not 100% confirmed yet, my sources tell me that Alex Forester will replace Troy. Forester is a current teacher at Lincoln Park High School.

I would not expect the level of distance to drop off too much with Forester. Lincoln Park located in the north side of Chicago in Lincoln Park of course, has a fine cross country tradition in the CPS. Every year, Lincoln Park is a top 7 caliber CPS team at both the boys and girls level.

Neilski’s 2009 Preseason CPS Class AAA Boys Cross Country Rankings

Here is my 2009 Preseason Class AAA Rankings. This is a ranking based on my predictions on how I feel each team will do at the city meet at the end of the season. Rankings are based on returnees from last year, how they performed in track, and how I project the teams to improve over the summer. These rankings are written in advance of the start of the season. So they do not take into account injuries, transfers that I have not heard of and runners from last year that have not chosen to run this year. Feel free to comment at the end of the blog post.

Wesley Laytham (jr) of Northside Prep

 1.      Northside Prep – In the illustrious history of Northside Prep boys distance running, Northside has never won a boys city championship. This could be the year they do it after finishing 2^nd the last two years. Northside returns six of it’s top 7 including it’s top 4 of Cuit Pineda (sr), Charlie Mesimore (jr), Wesley Laytham (jr), and Cooper Eben (jr). Their only problem will be trying to replace graduated 5^th man Jonathon Kittaka. Some candidates include sophomore Taylor Kuenh, junior Erik Zuehlke, senior Jiasong Yand, or junior Fahad Savari. If they can develop a 5^th man to run in the low 16:00’s or lower, then Northside can start thinking about qualifying for state.

 

Nathan Scott Wade (sr) of Lane Tech

2.      Lane Tech -  Lane is going through a period in which it uncharacteristically finished 3^rd  at city for two years in row. Lane has a bonafide number one in Kulayfi Haji (jr). Haji, city runner up last year, returns as the favorite to win the individual title and has dreams of an all-state finish after getting experience running at state last year as the CPS’s only class AAA state runner. But Haji will have help this year. 6 of their top 7 from their sectional team return this year: Victor Terrazas (sr), Max Silva (jr), Chris Tidd (sr), Nathan Scott Wade (sr), James Wiatr (sr). Two years ago, Lane Assitant Coach Tony Jones said that 2009 will be THE year. Well, the 2009 team is senior dominated, talented, and deep. Lane’s top 3 consisting of Haji, Terrazas, and Silva are almost a lock. Slots 4-7 could be filled up by either Tidd, Wiatr, Scott-Wade, junior Jimmy Orellana, junior George Chronis, junior Elias Obekiande, junior Edwin Lira, or maybe even all-state hurdler Jonathon Jackson. Plus it is not 100% confirmed yet, but Kulayfi Haji has an incoming brother that maybe attending Lane Tech this fall.

 

Abe Haji (so) of Mather

3.      Mather – Two time defending city champs Mather will feel the affects of losing it’s graduated stars from last year. Gone is city champ Ivan Coronel as well as a bevy of names that have been talked about for years: Omar Caban, Mikey Medina, Eddie Torres and Alex Sorapu. But don’t completely count out Mather. Mather will still be strong this year with sophomore Abe Haji, junior Tarik Estrada (last year’s sophomore city champ), Abdel Elyousoufi (jr - 10:51 2 miler), and sophomore Juan Mendez (10:50 2 miler).

4.      Whitney Young – Whitney Young has won at the frosh-soph level the past two years. Can this be the year they break into the top 3 at the varsity level again? There has been talk that number one runner Julian Deville (jr – 12^th at city last year)  may not even run cross country this year to focus on track. We won’t know for sure if he does or not until the season starts. If he does, Deville should have some help. The Dolphins return 5 of their top 7 from their sectional qualifying team. Whitney Young has at least 6 runners capable of breaking 16:30 this year: Julian Deville (jr), Matt Sebek (jr), Sam Redmond(jr), Ryan Flood (jr), Matt Otero (sr), Liam Burns, and Joseph Platt.

5.     Lincoln Park

This is a rebuilding year for Lincoln Park. Longtime Coach Troy has decided to not coach cross country this year for the Lions. Lincoln Park graduated number 1 runner Jacob Cetera. Look for the new Lincoln Park coach to build around Andrew Zotti and Brandon Schnake (sr).

 

Others: Curie, Simeon, Steinmetz

Class AA Boys Rankings