Chicago High School Football Season Set to Ignite with Unmatched Talent and Intense Rivalries

Chicago is buzzing with excitement as high school football braces for what could be one of the most thrilling seasons in decades. The area’s Class 8A superpowers, Loyola and Lincoln-Way East, are not just good—they’re loaded with exceptional talent, making this year’s competition fierce. Teams like Loyola, Mount Carmel, and Nazareth are hunting for a third consecutive state championship, and the level of quarterback talent we’re seeing is unparalleled.

Among the experienced quarterbacks, Loyola’s Ryan Fitzgerald is heading to Iowa, while Mount Carmel’s Jack Elliott has a spot at Vanderbilt lined up. Others like Nick Piepert from Barrington and Logan Malachuk from Nazareth also add to this elite group. What’s even more exciting is the presence of Jonas Williams from Lincoln-Way East, a highly recruited player bound for Oregon, and Carmel’s sophomore Trae Taylor, making waves on the field.

This year’s preseason rankings have shaken things up a bit. While Loyola has often had the upper hand against Lincoln-Way East, this season promises an entirely different story. Analysts have placed both teams as nearly joint No. 1 contenders. Loyola’s schedule is tougher, giving them a unique advantage to improve week by week—a fact Fitzgerald agrees with, stating, “If everyone is firing on all cylinders, we will be pretty good.”

Loyola is brimming with future college players. Notably, Donovan Robinson, who’s set to join Washington, is versatile and was an impactful punt returner last season. Meanwhile, Lincoln-Way East, with the hungry seniors looking for their first state title, boast linebacker Caden O’Rourke and star quarterback Jonas Williams, hoping to make this their year.

Mount Carmel faces pressure early with Jake Elliott leading a team that’s rich in fresh but inexperienced talent. In contrast, Nazareth’s Gabe Kaminski returns with a strong defensive presence as they aim to continue their championship reign.

Other teams aren’t to be overlooked either. Maine South is known for classic team play while teams like Warren, Cary-Grove, and Joliet Catholic are also coming back strong. With so many dynamic players and promising matchups on the horizon, the Chicago area is set for a season filled with exciting high school football action.