The football season in Illinois starts in a couple weeks. This season’s landscape looks much different than what we saw last year. In the Chicago Catholic League, there are a few teams that will continue to be contenders for the conference title but changes at quarterback may allow others to join in on the conversation.
Here are the top-5 quarterbacks to keep an eye on in the catholic ranks:
Drew Clippert, Aurora Christian
After a successful stint as a starter in his sophomore year, junior Drew Clippert returns to lead Aurora Christian to a playoff berth for the first time in his career. If there is any quarterback to invest in for the future, the smart choice would be on Clippert. He is not yet done growing (currently 6-foot-1) and has been called the most accurate thrower in the Chicago Catholic League. However, he doesn’t have the type of arm strength nor the athleticism that others possess in the catholic league.
Aamir Holmes, Leo Catholic
The Leo Lions failed to produce many wins last season, but that didn’t stop senior Aamir Holmes from leaving quite an impression. As a junior, he played in just six games but was the only position player from his school honored with an All-Catholic League nomination. Holmes has been a two-way player for most of his career, but the Lions will have to protect their best offensive threat to save him from a second debilitating hip injury.
Tom Herion, Loyola Academy
Senior Tom Herion steps into a pretty solid situation with the Ramblers. The team is coming off an undefeated season that ended in a championship. Although graduating seniors Dara Laja and Emmitt Clifford were impact players for Loyola, this program continues to produce good football players — especially on the offensive side. There are many questions about how good he can be with the little playing time he’s had, but Herion is in as good a position as any quarterback on this list to be successful.
Jonathan Gladstone, DePaul College Prep
At 6-foot-2, 190 lbs., senior Jonathan Gladstone looks every bit the part of the collegiate quarterback. As a first team all-conference player, Gladstone’s ability speaks for itself. Local scouts have also raved about his touch and delivery on deep balls. While his athleticism will improve as he ages, the DePaul signal-caller has enough juice in his legs to keep defenses honest.
Dorian Woods, De La Salle
Where Gladstone has natural football ability, junior Dorian Woods has benefited just as much from his time in the gym. Built more like a linebacker than a quarterback, Woods lines up behind center at 6-foot-2, 220 lbs. With him running downhill, the De La Salle football team will be a tough unit to stop from running the ball effectively. Don’t be surprised if Woods’ rushing numbers greatly outweigh his passing stats.
