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 Jul. 31, we'll unveil the @CSNPreps Top 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 25.
School: Joliet West
Head Coach: Jason Aubry
Assistant Coaches: Mark Peterson (OC/QB), Kevin Kusnik (WR/ST), Patrick Lauer (OL), Brian Smith (RB), Harry Hessling (DC/LB), Ken Poort (DL), Seandell Davis (CB), Chris Curry (S).
How they fared in 2016: 6-4 (6-3 Southwest Prairie Conference), made the 8A state playoffs and lost to Oswego in opening round action.
2017 Regular Season Schedule:
Aug. 25 – @ Oswego
Sept. 1 – @ Plainfield South
Sept. 8 – @ Oswego
Sept. 16 - vs Romeoville
Sept. 22 - @ Plainfield East
Sept. 29 – vs Plainfield Central
Oct. 6 - @ Minooka
Oct. 14 - vs Joliet Central
Oct. 21 - vs Plainfield North
Biggest storyline: Can the Tigers get back to the IHSA state playoffs and make some noise?
Names to watch this season: Junior QB Jaxon Aubry, Senior WR/TE TJ Neal, Junior WR Kevon Dorris
Biggest holes to fill: The defensive line. The Tigers will feature all new starters there come August.
EDGY's Early Take: The Tigers made some nice strides in 2016. While they are young, they are still experienced as several underclassmen have started over the past few seasons. Expect Joliet West to be a big factor in the Southwest Prairie race --and beyond-- in the coming years.