Schweiker, Ganison Krazek Rundio Prudley sponsors the Friday Night Drive. I'm Mike Krazak.
If you've been injured, we are ready to take on the insurance company
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into the Friday Night Drive Western Suburbs Football Podcast. It is week one officially
the regular season. We've made it. We're here. We're through the previews,
you know the wave, We're through all the seven seven on sevens in
the summer and now it's time to get down to real football. Welcome back,
Jake Barleston, Josh Wellgi joining you again. You can follow us on
Twitter at Jake Barleston, at j Wellgi ninety six and follow all of our
colleagues at Shaw Local on Friday Night Drive on Twitter, X and Threads and
wherever else people decide they want to throw themselves on. Josh, how are
we doing this afternoon? Doing great? Jake? And this is always a
great week because it's it's kind of the week that we really start finding out
about teams, right I mean, you know, we were there's teams that
we think are going to be really good based on past pedigree and past performance
and hand and some of the players that we have coming back. And of
course this time of year, everybody comes into the season with high expectations.
But you know, Week one is when you know, people have to start
showing their cards and seeing, you know, what what they have, uh,
you know, on the field. And there's a lot of teams this
week that that that are going to find out a lot about themselves this week
because they're they're really going to be tested in Week one. A lot of
great non conference matchups right off the gate that we're gonna be covering for Friday
Night Drive. If you haven't subscribed to us already, I encouraged people to
do so, we have a ton of great content coming your way. Jake,
We're taping us on Tuesday, and see Susie just dropped his first preseason
rankings, so kind of skimmed through that some familiar your faces in different places.
So so that's out there. We will be having our Week one previews
and picks that are gonna be dropping on Thursday, and of course live coverage
Friday and Saturday. A new feature that we're gonna be just here that we
kind of started in Week nine last year with Friday Night Live. We're gonna
be on from I believe from eight to eleven is Kyle Neighbors and and and
Jimmy that are gonna be on eight to eleven every Friday, gonna have reporters
calling in with reports from games. I think there's coaches lining up that are
gonna be on as well. So really that's something folks to keep an eye
on, in addition to all the covers that we're going to provide. Yeah,
so I think it's gonna be really cool. You know, obviously,
people listen to sports talk radio, right and you know, you listen to
Bears games or whatever, and you want to call in at half and talk
about it. I know, so if you did that, you know,
for the Bears prosusing game on Saturday. I think it's going to be a
really cool opportunity for people just to continue get another layer, you know,
we try to bring another piece of high school football to you, and I
know we're really excited about that. We did some testing here in the last
early part of the week and really looking forward to it, you know,
Josh, I think as we look ahead the week one and and you know,
to your point, you really learn a lot about yourself. I think
so much like you practice against each other. There's only so many times you
know that the dB is gonna you know, make this read and make this
cut, and you know, once the pads are really on and it's live
game action speed, you know, that's when things, you know, really
kind of fire up. To your point, I think we'll probably start with
at least the game that I'll be at here on Friday, Batavia Phillips.
That'll be the you know, the finish of the home one on one that
they had. They were in Gaily last year. Now Phillips able to come
to Batavia since their stadium has been done for a while, but that was
the deal with, you know, the construct, and I'm really looking forward
just to seeing continuity. You know, they have ten starters coming back from
last year. They only started that really well a couple of Let me back
up a little bit. I mean they're missing a lot on that linebacking for
but from an offensive perspective, they're really missing that one starter Jim Musicus at
right guard. Everybody else is back so much should stay the same. Yeah,
I mean, when you talk about Ryan bow at quarterback, Charlie Welpley
kind of a jack of all trades, running back, running back, receiver,
you know, defensively, kind of instant to see the young man that
transferred from from Texas, hearing a lot of great things about him, Malkai
Smith, I believe, you know is his name, you know. And
then you know, I know, they graduated some really talented linebackers, but
they seem to just kind of replenish, you know, that that particular position
every year. And and Phillips a team that has been traditionally a very strong
publicly team. You know, I wonder, you know, how how much
they're gonna push Patavia. I think Batavia goes in Is is definitely the favorite
in that game. But again, you know, you know, we don't
know until week one. I mean, I don't really know too much about
this particular Phillips team, but it's always been one of the stronger programs in
the public League. Yeah, I mean, to your points, I mean,
I've been in such preview mode for everything else. I'm still pointing catch
up on a lot of you know, where teams are in week one.
You know, I can just I think from a broad perspective, I think
you can say this is a great tune up. Obviously look ahead to week
two. I know teams don't like to do that, and you know week
one or week zero and you know whatever, as they say, but I
think, you know, if Patavia can can kind of rack up a couple
of scores early and maybe not play some prominent starters, you know, deep
into the second half, I think you know, that's just kind of beneficial
for for looking ahead to some Lincoln hit East. I mean, how could
you not Yeah, no doubt they won't say that, but how could you
not? Right? I mean, I think Patavia, you know, they
want to iron out through the kings and work some things out and you know,
kind of get people onto the field that have not been on the field
as much as they go into the game that I'm sure they've been looking forward
to, you know, for a year. And then that kind of rides
right into the Duquesne Conference. So you know, we'll see how much Phillips
tests. Philip test Patavia on Friday night. Tavia team that we're going to
be following throughout the year. You know, another Ducuee Conference team that's that's
getting a significant test right off the bat. Week one is a defending conference
champion, Saint Charles North. They have Palotine coming in there. And Palotine
is a team that I'm hearing a lot of good things about. They return
eleven stars off of it, believe eleven and two team or tend and two
team. I'm hearing a lot about defensive end Jalen Williams, who's one of
the top prospects in the state I believe as twenty one offers, and you
know, Saint Charles North that that's a really difficult test for the North Stars
right off the bat. I think Shaw I mean especially you know, just
like defensively for them. I think that's kind of the big unknown for them.
They have a fair amount returners back, you know, on offense,
but defense is I think is really where they're gonna We're gonna find out a
lot about them here in the next couple of weeks. I mean Palatine,
you know, Dominants Ball, he's a four year starter. He's going to
lane. You know, he's going to be a tough test for them.
At running back. They got a six five wide receiver the name escapes me
right now. But I mean, you just don't have you know, six
foot two, six foot three dvs just falling off a tree, you know,
to you know, to to line up against them. So I think
it'll be interesting from a line of scrimmage perspective and just just to see,
you know, where you know that game is won. But they're not gonna
lay down. They are excited about Joe Holliman. I've talked about him a
lot, but I really think that he's about to get on leash year.
He's really thick, he's top from the point of attack, and I think
that's going to be such a tone setter for the offense while it gets engrooved.
Yeah, the wide receiver of Palatine I think you're referring to was Connor
May six five, thank you. He's actually a Division one basketball recruit.
I got to see him play basketball last year when Palatine was at the Jacktosh
class to get a really good basketball player. But you know, six foot
five translates pretty well to the football field as well, so you know,
kind of curious to see how Connor made dozen of football fear Patalitine. But
that's a really It's one of the kind of the games that I've circled in
the week one just to curious to see how both of those teams shake down
because they're both coming off you know, very successful years. Great non conference
matchup. Yeah, another another really good one in our area that I'm curious
to see this first time they're playing each other. Downs Grove North is playing
at Saint Francis. Kind of a fun matchup between a team from the West
Suburban Silver Downs Grove North that got to the second round of the playoffs last
year. They go to Saint Francis, which reached the four A semi finals
last year. Of course they're joining that Chicago Catholic League East Suburban Conference this
year. Jake, That's that's just a fun nine conference matchup. I mean,
obviously Saint Francis has Lessia Millville. I really butchered that one. Now
we're going with the roll, Yeah, Alessio back in quarterback DeShawn Williams,
very talented wide receiver, Dominic Barris their four year starting linebacker. Then on
the other side, Downers Grow North. I mean, really the guy that
I am very much excited to see as Owen Lance, who their sophomore quarterback
in his first year as a starter. Hearing a lot of great things about
him. I think he's a kid that we're going to be hearing a lot
about the next three years. Yeah, was thatte you were Rosetta Range that
recently just wrote that story. They've been kind of like waiting for him to
like to bring him up, and they've been excited about him for a while.
Yeah, he was a kid that you know, you know, Bob
wrote that story and he They had a senior quarterback last year who was a
three year starter. But but their coach, Joe Brenny said that that Lancey,
he pushed him last year. It was a close competition as a starter.
And honestly, going into last year, I thought Lancey might start as
a freshman because I'd heard so many good things about him. But you know,
he's a kid. He's got a big arm. He's throwing the ball
apparently like seventy one yards, you know, just kind of throwing a ball
around. But but and then they have they had a very good defense last
year as well. But you know, tough tests for two teams that they
play in such difficult leagues that you know, I know it's week one,
and you hate to put put too much pressure on teams, but both of
those teams really could use a win right off the bat. Yeah. I
mean a lot of you know, coaches talk about the race to five,
you know, race to five, race to six. I like it though,
when you really have competitive non cons because I think that it's a tone
center number one, you really get a sense of kind of where you're at
and some other teams that you just don't get to see until maybe later in
the playoffs, if at all. So I really like it, you know.
So Yeah, I don't know, I kind of ran out of things
to say there. You know, I give credit to Big Mills from Saint
Francis. He's really stepped out and played in a non conference you know,
the last few years. You know, part of it could be that some
teams probably don't want to play his team and in non conference because they're pretty
good. But you know, you look at this year. He's he's playing
Downers Grow North. Week two, He's going to Stirling, which is always
a very successful program in that part of the state, you know, and
then they go right into their conference schedule, which is going to be a
bear. This year. So, you know, a good task for Francis
and for downers, go north right off the bad Curious to see how that
plays out. You know, Jake, there's a lot of other great matchups
around the area. Maybe we will take a break and come back and talk
about them. That sounds good. We'll come back. We'll break down some
more matchups as we go. You're listening to the Friday Night Drive Western Shore's
podcast with Jake and Josh John Grow Anywhere, Schweiker, Ganison Krazak Rundio Proudley
sponsors to Friday Night Drive. I'm Mike Krazak. If you've been injured,
we are ready to take on the insurance company and get you to the end
zone. We've recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients visited g A,
n ass I M dot com. Welcome back after a quick break.
You can follow us on Twitter at Jake Barleston at j Welge ninety six and
of course all of our colleagues Friday Night Drive dot com. Quick reminder before
we jump back into week one, you know breakdowns again. You can join
us here upcoming on Friday for Friday Night Live. That's gonna be host to
Kyle Jimmy Musical Kyle Neighbors and Steve Susy is leading that we're gonna have reporters
calling in from various games from RONDO coverage area. So you don't want to
miss that Friday night Drive dot Com eight to eleven on that Josh, before
we took that break, you know, we were going to talk more some
Saturday games. I will be at Wheaton Moorenville South against Simeon again, another
one of those home and home situations. These teams saw each other at Gately
last year. The big difference is and I know we kind of talked about
this off Mike, Uh, you know in terms of we still have to
play catch up a little bit on who's Simeon's got coming back, but we
can't tell you who's not coming back, and that's Andre Cruz and Malik Elzy.
Andre Cruz, you know you had that game story. Yeah, what
three hundred yards rushing for that one. Wheaton South had an early lead in
that second quarter and things fell apart. So Wheaton South is looking for a
better outcome this time. Yeah, no doubt I mean that that that game
was. That was the Andre Cruz breakout performance. And then that was Malik
Elzy, who I recall, you know, he didn't have a ton of
touches, but whenever he did touch it was a highlight reel. Everyone.
I remember too, you made the observation like, I can't believe he hasn't
got the ball yet the second quarter, like immediately like takes the screen for
for sixty yards exactly. No, he he really, I mean that was
a that was a that was a treat to be able to watch him play
this year. And if I'm not mistaken, he's in Illinois though I think,
yeah he is. Yeah, so you have originally committed to Cincinnati,
you know, and then he ended up in Illinois. It's a great,
great feather in the cap, you know, for for the olyn I get
him Malik Elzy there. But but yeah, I mean, obviously Simeon graduated
two of their significant pieces offensively, and also their coach done to Cobreth.
He stepped down at the end or at the beginning of pretty much the beginning
of practice actually, which was kind of an unusual timing. Yeah, it
was about two weeks ago for that, so you know, obviously, you
know, I don't want to say not turmoil, but sort of kind of
you know, some changes in the era at Simeon. So I'm curious to
see how they're going to come out, you know, on Saturday. Again.
They're they're always one of the better teams in the public League. On
the other side, Weeden Weren'tville South. You know, I recall last year,
you know, they was the first time in Week one I got to
see Luca Carbonaro, who was a sophomore quarterback at the time he's now junior,
kind of showed some flashes and then he played throughout the year, and
interested to see how he does now that he's clearly going to be I'm assuming
he's going to be, you know, their starting quarterback and uh, you
know, very talented kid, you know. And then Weedon brings Simeon to
Week one and again it's a that's that's a tough test for the Tigers run
off the bat, you know, but we'll see how they do. Yeah.
So, I mean, without getting too far deep in the weeds for
a podcast purpose, but I mean that was a quick, you know situation
that they had to pivots a Luca there at the start of the year,
and he really kind of just you know, kept things going and leveled out
smoothly. So now that you're coming into this year and you're the unquestioned starter,
I think there's gonna just be a lot more comforts and you know,
familiarity with your offensive line. You know, they got two returners back and
also circuits at center Aaron vavar I spent some time with their left tackle earlier
in the summer. I think really where Wheat and South is going to be
interesting. They have Matt Kryder back, who's a three year starter. You
know, he's a pretty effective running back. And then they have some size
in their skill positions and Mary Williams six foot three guy. I want to
make sure I pronounced this correctly. I think it's Gokin Brady Gokin. He's
a six five tight end. They're gonna be using him in the passing game
as well. So I think I think there's quite a bit there for for
Wheaton offensively and then defensively. Most of the returners back were in that linebacker
and defensive backfield, so you know how they you know, explicitly match up
to Simeon. It's hard for you and I to sit here and talk about,
but you know, they do have a fair amount coming back and some
continuity. It's some key positions, yeah, be regardless, it's gonna be
a fun matchup to watch, just to see what Simeon has this year,
and and and and also see you know how Wheat and South is looking.
So you know a fair amount of good games on Saturday that you know,
the one that you're gonna be out is one of them. I guess a
big matchup statewide. Mount Carmelo is playing East Saint Louis. Steve Sucy will
be there for coverage of that Saturday night, looking forward to that. You
know, Sandwich is making a return to football after not having football program last
year. Game was originally scheduled for Thursday, but I don't know if you
saw the weather forecat, it's gonna be a little warm up Thursday, So
Sandwich moved the game to Saturday. They're gonna be hosting Mantino and then the
game that I'm gonna be at along with Michael dwel Jack, who's gonna be
writing on that game. Glenbard West is hosting Marist. They played a really
entertaining Week one game last year. Glenbard West came out thirty three to thirty
one victory, a huge game for Julius Ellen's in that game. He's back
as as court of Gebard West Balco and you know he's going to be a
guy. I'm expecting huge things out of instant to see how they do because
they did graduate a ton off of a very good offensive line, so you
know, we'll see how that goes with that. On the other side,
Merris is a team that the last I saw them, they were losing New
York in a very entertaining double overtime second round playoff game to York. Maris
only returns four starters off of last year's team, so uh, you know,
a little bit of new going on there. But I do know that
Onebard West junior class, it's sixteen and two. The first two years of
high school, they're only two losses came of marissed So we'll see how that
goes. But that's certainly a matchup looking forward to seeing. Of course,
is at Deshaun Field on Saturday. For my money, it really does not
get any better high school football setting than that Glenbard West on a Saturday afternoon
for DeShawn Field. So you know, a lot of good games on Saturday.
Sure, well, and then I might have my my weeks mixed up
here, so forgive me, but I swear East Saint Louis there's a there's
a big one I think at Illinois State. Yeah, that's the East Saint
Louis versus Mount Carmel game. Yes, thank you, that's the one,
as SUSI is gonna be. It's it's a Saturday night, but I believe
it's seven o'clock kickoff. But yeah, got sus I think as soon as
they announced that one, he knew where he was gonna be going. Yeah,
he threw it in the slack channel like hey, we're here. Yeah,
So that's definite insignive. You know, it's a finish up game stories
you know, pretty quickly here and then keep an eye on his Twitter feed
for that one, no doubt. So you know, I mentioned Glenbard West
playing Maris week one. You know, the West Suburban silver Light Ducaye one
of the best conferences in the state. But I tell you, Jake,
they are not ducking anybody week one in that conference. Glenbard West is playing
Marist. I mentioned downers Grove North is playing Saint Francis. Lyons Township is
going to prospect another really good team out of the mid suburban Hinsville Central playing
in Napriville Central, and then oak Park is playing another game against their crosstown
rival Fenwick. So you know, it's not inconceivable that all those teams could
be o on one after week one, which I know none of them want
to hear that, and they still could all have great seasons. But and
then oh York York is going to Glenbrook South, the team that is always
a very good program in eight eight. So with Westburn, Silver's really challenging
themselves right off the bat. Yeah, it's some exciting football here on Saturday.
Any quick thoughts here before you got some Kendall matchups, and we need
to pay attention to a couple of teams that I'm curious to see how they
come out week one. In addition to Sandwich, who I mentioned is returning
to to varsity football this fall, the first one Oswego. I've mentioned it
on the podcast a couple weeks ago. They're a team that they're coming off
only their third losing season since nineteen eighty five, the first time they missed
the playoffs since two thousand and ten. They go to Niqua Valley Week one
and a very difficult matchup. Right off the bat, you know, I'm
curious to see just how oswego does. I mean, even if they don't
win the game, I'm interested to see just how competitive a game last it
is, because you know, last year they really struggled to generate anything offensively
in that game, and you know, they had a lot of guys get
they had five starters go down with injuries and kind of set a difficult tone
for the season. But you know, they're a proud program, as I
mentioned podcast two weeks ago, and they want to get back to where they
were traditionally. But you know, Niqua Valley, you know, we'll see
how it goes right off the bat. Another team, Plano. They're a
team that two years ago they made the playoffs. Last year they took a
step back. They went three and six, and the game that they you
know, they lost four their last five last year. But the game that
they really circled when I went out to their practice recently is Week one against
Ottawa. They lost that game thirteen to twelve last year, and it kind
of felt like that set the tone for this I mean, it just got
him off to a bat start. This time they have Ottawa coming to their
place, and they really think that they can set that tone right off the
bat. They have a very talent of running back while wee Johnson who was
back, so you know that will be a good kind of barometer game for
them right off the bat. Sounds good. Lots of matchups again, if
you haven't subscribed to FND now as the time, be glued to all of
our contents again. We'll have as Josh mentioned earlier, we'll have all of
our Week one picks and some breakdowns there. Steve Susie's rankings. Just drout
again Friday Night Live. Check that out. We're gonna be doing that consistently.
We're really trying to build that up, so make sure you check that
out for us as well. Josh An hang out before we sign off here.
No, just well, one more thing is that Stephen col nighbors.
They also take a podcast. Actually they save podcasts every week and they will
be previewing Week one as well. I believe that'll drop on Thursday again.
You can follow me at j WELG ninety six. You can follow Jake at
j Jake Bartleston of course you can follow Friday and Drive on Twitter at fn
Drive, also on Facebook and Instagram. That's all for me, Jake,
all right, then I'll do it for us. We'll see you week one
in a football field somewhere again. Keep glued to Twitter for for everything else.
Thanks so much, and everybody have a great first week of school.
Schweiker, Ganison, Krizek, Rundio Proudley sponsors to Friday Night Drive. I'm
Mike Krazak. If you've been injured, we are ready to take on the
insurance company and get you to the end zone. We've recovered hundreds of millions
of dollars for our clients. Visit GA nassi n dot com.