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FOOTBALL: 2024 Greater South Shore Conference Team Outlook

BISHOP NOLL WARRIORS

2023: 2-8, lost to Bremen in first round of sectionals

HEAD COACH: Tyler Milby, 2-8 in second year at Bishop Noll

KEY PLAYERS: Elijah Boone, Julian Ramirez, Max Kubon

KEY GAMES: Week 3 (9/6) vs Whiting, Week 7 (10/4) vs River Forest, Week 9 (10/18) vs Boone Grove

OUTLOOK: In last year’s team outlook, it was said that Bishop Noll had nowhere to go but up. After a winless 2022 season, the Warriors’ two wins last fall were the program’s most in nearly a decade. The Warriors also had an opportunity to play at Lucas Oil Stadium in the Homeschool Football Classic.

Now, looking onward to the 2024 Bishop Noll Warriors, the group will be a highlighted by a strong returning class. Elijah Boone, who is going into his junior campaign, was a bellcow at the running back position for the Warriors last season. Julian Ramirez, one of the senior leaders on this Bishop Noll team found himself near the top of the tackle leaderboards in the area. Max Kubon is another senior defensive talent to take note of.

There is a lot to be looking forward to in this new era of Bishop Noll. Last year, the school saw its largest freshman class in over two decades. Plus, the Warriors will be sporting a brand new football facility this fall. Noll will be on the road for its first two games before breaking in their new home field against their longtime rival, Whiting. 

BOONE GROVE WOLVES

2023: 8-3, lost in second round of sectionals at Hanover Central

HEAD COACH: Dan Kukulski, 43-32 in eighth year at Boone Grove

KEY PLAYERS: Mark Rowland, Chris Gonzalez, Samir Del Rio, Hunter Anthony, Khaled Alzeer

KEY GAMES: Week 3 (9/6) at West Side, Week 5 (9/20) Wheeler, Week 6 (9/27) at River Forest

OUTLOOK: The reigning Greater South Shore North division champs were one of the most fun-to-watch teams from the 2023 season. The Wolves offense prided itself on punches in bunches, as they were one of the highest-scoring offensive units in the area. 

The main reason for that offensive explosion in 2023 was Boone Grove’s now four-year starter at the QB position, Mark Rowland. The senior accounted for 42 total touchdowns last fall and has only gotten better in every season of his at Boone Grove. 

However, some of Rowland’s most trusted pieces from that potent offense in 2023 will have to be replaced. BG’s top four receivers from last campaign have graduated, with most of them logging quality snaps on the defensive side as well. 

While the offense may be featuring some new faces, the defense alone could lead the Wolves to the front of the pack of the GSSC once again. Other names that are coming off of solid seasons is a two-way talent in Chris Gonzalez, who led the Wolves in rushing yards and tackles for loss last fall. Khaled Alzeer, Hunter Anthony, and Samir Del Rio will also anchor down the BG defense.

In addition to all of the talent on the field for Boone Grove – they will also officially play their first full season with a true home field. Although they were able to open up their new facility late last season, the Wolves will have their first ever true home opener against Glenn. 

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CALUMET WARRIORS

2023: 3-7, lost at Hanover Central in sectional opener

HEAD COACH: Charles Salary, 3-7 in second year at Calumet

KEY PLAYERS: Corey Ferguson, Darren Haygood, Joshua Walton

KEY GAMES: Week 2 (8/30) at River Forest, Week 4 (9/13) vs Highland, Week 9 (10/18) vs West Side

OUTLOOK: Last season was a step back for the Calumet Warriors in the inaugural season of the Charles Salary era. It was the first season below the .500 mark since 2017. 

That said, there were a lot of new faces that spent their first season under a new system. That is never an easy task for anyone. 

The Warriors will have a bit of replacing to do from last year’s senior class, as the two top receivers, passers, and the top tackler have all graduated.

While the offense may experience some early season growing pains, the defense should be the stronger unit of the two. Five of the seven top tacklers from last year’s team will all be seniors in 2024. A few of those players, such as Darren Haygood, who also led the Warriors in rushing in 2023, will be names to look out for on the offensive side as well.

The hope is for things to be on the upswing for Calumet in 2024 as both the players and coaches get a year under their belt in this new era of Warrior football.

GRIFFITH PANTHERS

2023: 3-7, lost to Rensselaer Central in the sectional opener

HEAD COACH: Phil Mason, 3-7 in second year at Griffith, 161-100 in 24th year overall

KEY PLAYERS: Jaxon Lawson, Colton Strezo, Nolan Davenport

KEY GAMES: Week 1 (8/23) vs Highland, Week 4 (9/13) vs Whiting, Week 9 (10/18) vs Wheeler

OUTLOOK: If there was one thing about the 2023 Griffith Panther football team, they were young. 

The thing about youth is although it is promising for the future, growing pains are truly inevitable, and the Panthers saw some in 2023. In the first year of the Phil Mason era, Griffith lost games by 4, 8, and 1. Three one score games that could have shifted the outlook of the previous season entirely.

Nonetheless, it is time to look ahead to the 2024 team, riddled with the same players that were deemed “young” a year ago are now expected to come up big for the Panthers this fall.

It starts with Jaxon Lawson, a bruising running back who took a major step up in his junior season a year ago. The 1st Team All Conference selection also was a force for the Panthers defensively. Nolan Davenport, who is a fellow 1st teamer, will be all over the field. Colton Strezo is presumed to be the man under center, who was the main guy for Griffith in 2023.

An improvement in the second year of the Mason era is not a far fetched take, as Griffith found themselves competitive in a number of games last fall. With nearly that same roster this year, a jump is expected.

LAKE STATION EAGLES

2023: 2-8, lost to Whiting in the sectional opener

HEAD COACH: Glenn Gulley, 6-15 in third year at Lake Station 

KEY PLAYERS: Aaron Padilla, Oscar Alderson, Kaden McNeil

KEY GAMES: Week 3 (9/6) at North Newton, Week 6 (9/27) at Bishop Noll, Week 9 (10/18) vs River Forest

OUTLOOK: Like some other teams in this conference, Lake Station’s starting lineups throughout the season consisted of some younger talent who will be back this fall. To make things even better, most of the talent that will be discussed for Lake Station will not be entering their senior seasons yet.

The Eagles will bring back three key rushers that can take a leap up in production in 2024. The defense is also quite young, as the majority of Lake Station’s leaders in tackles will be returning.

Yes, it was a down year in 2023 in comparison to Coach Gulley’s first year for the Eagles in ’22 – but last season’s team was inexperienced and had to fulfill some roles of players before them. Now, the hope is that a year of experience these returning pieces gained last season can propel the Eagles to a more successful fall.

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RIVER FOREST INGOTS

2023: 6-4, lost at West Lafayette in the sectional opener

HEAD COACH: Mark Hidalgo, 6-4 in second year at River Forest, 47-46 in 10th year overall

KEY PLAYERS: Ayden Silver, Jeremiah Stansil, Carlos Villagomez, Aureliano Arana

KEY GAMES: Week 3 (9/6) vs Wheeler, Week 4 (9/13) at West Side, Week 6 (9/27) vs Boone Grove

OUTLOOK: Through the first few weeks of the 2023 season, this team looked to be the front-runner for a GSSC crown. But as quick as they rose, a midseason skid with losses to West Side, Griffith, and Boone Grove, brought them back down to earth.

Besides not winning a conference title and a premature exit in the sectional round, it was another solid campaign for River Forest. In Mark Hildago’s first season as head coach, he led the Ingots to their second straight 6-win season and the fifth consecutive above .500.

One of the top dual-threat weapons at the QB position will be back for the Ingots this year, as Ayden Silver will be in his third season as the starter. The senior was also second in tackles a year ago. In fact, 13 of the Ingots’ top 14 (!) tacklers were non-seniors in 2023.

Some can classify the Ingots as a dark horse to be the best team in the GSSC this year, but that could be selling them short. With the amount of returning talent that will be suited up for River Forest this fall, a conference championship is surely possible. 

WEST SIDE COUGARS

2023: 6-4, lost at Kankakee Valley in sectional opener

HEAD COACH: Alger Boswell, 13-7 in 3rd year at school

KEY PLAYERS: Guiseppe Moore, Marcell Dixon, LaDarrion Newell

KEY GAMES: Week 3 (9/6) vs Boone Grove, Week 4 (9/13) vs River Forest, Week 9 (10/18) at Calumet

OUTLOOK: When you look at positively consistent programs around the area over the past three seasons, the West Side Cougars have played their way into a spot on that shortlist. 2023 marked the third straight winning season for West Side.

The next step for the Cougars? Success in the playoffs. West Side will not only be seeking another positive regular season but their first playoff win in a decade.

The good news, however, they have the personnel to achieve just that. 

All things may start with the play of senior QB, Guiseppe Moore, who will enter his third full season as the starter. As solid as he is in the pocket, in 2023, Moore showed off his ability as a scrambler, as he rushed for over one thousand yards and double-digit touchdowns.

The defense will be strong as well, as the Cougars will bring back four of their top five tacklers from last fall. Marcell Dixon, a junior cornerback, stepped up big time in his sophomore campaign. Other names like LaDarrion Newell and Cameron Hutch will be some defensive pieces to watch out for.

West Side will open up on the road against a strong Indianapolis-Washington team before they get right to conference play. 

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WHEELER BEARCATS

2023: 6-4, lost at Bremen in sectional opener

HEAD COACH: Nick Testa, 6-4 in second year at Wheeler, 14-26 in fifth year overall 

KEY PLAYERS: Caleb Klimczak, Jayden Ortiz, Bryce Compton, Tyne Vettickal

KEY GAMES: Week 1 (8/23) at Hanover Central, Week 3 (9/6) at River Forest, Week 5 (9/20) at Boone Grove

OUTLOOK: Three weeks into the year, the goal seemed a few years away. Fast forward six more weeks, and Wheeler was crowned the GSSC South Division champions. Year one of the now-reigning GSSC Coach of the Year Nick Testa was a promising one, and the juniors which were quite productive for the Bearcats a season ago will only get better. 

The offense will be led by the trio of Bryce Compton, Jayden Ortiz, and Caleb Klimczak. Compton, who also is a talent on the defensive side, offers size in addition to his track-level speed, as he was one of the most productive wide receivers in the area a year ago. Klimczak will be the one delivering the football to Compton, as the senior had a superb 2023 under center. Ortiz stepped up on both sides of the ball for the Bearcats last year. 

Tyne Vettickal is another do-it-all guy for Wheeler, as the junior logged five interceptions in addition to being second in receiving yards and eighth in total tackles. He also was the team’s kicker.

Things start quick once again for Wheeler, as they open up traveling to rival Hanover Central and then will face a strong Kankakee Valley team the week after. If Wheeler can start like how they finished the 2023 regular season, repeating as division champs is certainly in the works.

WHITING OILERS

2023: 4-7, lost to LaVille in the sectional semis

HEAD COACH: John Jolley, first year at Whiting

KEY PLAYERS: Servando Garza, Kamron Patterson, Levi Huffman

KEY GAMES: Week 2 (8/30) at Highland, Week 3 (9/6) at Bishop Noll, Week 6 (9/27) vs Calumet

OUTLOOK: After a promising 2-1 start for the Oilers last fall, things fell quickly in the ensuing weeks, as Whiting finished the year with their second straight four-win season. Although four wins is a respectable mark, Whiting was near the bottom of their division – one that is looking to be even more well rounded this season.

Looking onward to this upcoming campaign, there will be new faces all over for Whiting. To start, Nick Davenport, who has been an impact player player for the Oilers throughout his career, will be suiting up for the Wabash Little Giants come autumn. He led the team in rushing alongside his production as a passer. Whiting will also have their third different head coach since the 2021 season, as John Jolley will take over for Jason Jendreas.

Whiting does have some talent returning, along with the opportunity to get things started on the right foot with a favorable matchup against North Newton in week one leading up to a bout at Highland the following Friday.

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