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 Aug. 1, we’ll unveil the @CSNPreps Top 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 26. You can view Edgy Tim's other football previews here.
School: Niles Notre Dame Dons
Head coach: Mike Hennessey
Assistant coaches: Dan DeFranza, Fred Prosel, Pat Gallagher, Joe Pauley, Eric Hennessey
How they fared in 2015: 8-2 (6-1) East Suburban Catholic Conference. Notre Dame made the Class 8A state playoff field and lost to ESCC rival Marist in opening round action.
Biggest storyline in 2016: Can the Dons defense (seven returning starters) help an inexperienced offense develop early on this fall?
Names to watch this season: LB Tom Hacket; DB Michael Valdez; C Anthony Saro
Biggest holes to fill: Who steps up to replace graduated standout QB Tyler Tsagalis (South Dakota)?
EDGY's Early Take: The Dons always have talent on board and if the offense can get its sea legs early look for Notre Dame to contend for the ESCC title and a state playoff spot. The early part of the regular season schedule, however, is brutal (Benet/Nazareth/JCA/St. Pats and Carmel).