CSNChicago.com preps reporter "Edgy" Tim O’Halloran spotlights 100 high school football teams in 100 days. The first 75 team profiles will focus on teams making strides across Chicagoland and elsewhere in the state. Starting July 31, we’ll unveil the @CSNPrepsTop 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 25.
School: Joliet Catholic Academy
Head coach: Jake Jaworski
Assistant Coaches: Dave Douglas, Jimmy Sharp, Jake Ziesmer, Mark Mettille, Josh Greenback, Tim Swanson, Chris Kinsella, Cory McLaughlin
How they fared in 2016: 1-8 (1-6 East Suburban Catholic Conference), missed the 2016 IHSA state playoff field
2017 Regular Season Schedule:
August 25th @ Geneva
September 1st vs Wheaton North
September 8th vs St. Patrick
September 15th @ Niles Notre Dame
September 22nd vs Marian Central Catholic
September 29th @ Nazareth Academy
October 6th vs Benet Academy
October 13th vs Marian Catholic
October 20th @ Marist
Biggest storyline: Can Joliet Catholic rebound from it's disappointing 2016 season?
Names to watch this season: Senior RB Ke'von Johnson, Senior OL/DL Shane Raber
Biggest holes to fill: The Hillmen will need to reload on the defensive line and at linebacker this summer.
EDGY's Early Take: So how historically bad was the JCA 2016 football season? You need to go back to the late 1940s before you find another one win season in the Joliet Catholic football history books. First year head coach and JCA alum Jake Jaworski replaces Hall of Fame head coach Dan Sharp this fall. If anything positive came from the 2016 season it's that the Hilltoppers got playing time for a very young team and welcomes back 13 starters (9 offense, 4 defense) this season. This program has the potential to become one of the top turnaround stories for the 2017 season.