NBCSportsChicago.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 30, we'll unveil the @NBCSPrepsTop 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 24.
School: Jacobs
Head coach: Bill Mitz
Assistant coaches: Bubba Smith, Mike Warren, Brian Zimmerman, JM Foote, Ryan Arndt and Bob Mackey
How they fared in 2017: 6-4 (5-3 Fox Valley Conference). Jacobs made the Class 7A playoff field. The Golden Eagles lost to Lincoln-Way West in opening round action.
2018 Regular Season Schedule:
Aug. 24 Hampshire
Aug. 31 @ Huntley
Sept. 7 Dundee-Crown
Sept. 14 @ McHenry
Sept. 21 Neuqua Valley
Sept. 28 Prairie Ridge
Oct. 5 @ Cary-Grove
Oct. 12 Crystal Lake South
Oct. 19 @ Crystal Lake Central
Biggest storyline: Can the Golden Eagles move up in the Fox Valley Conference pecking order in 2018?
Names to watch this season: OT Joacheim Price and OL Nick Zonta
Biggest holes to fill: The Golden Eagles will need to replace its entire starting linebacker group from a season ago.
EDGY's Early Take: Year in and year out, Jacobs is always a factor in the rugged Fox Valley Conference (seven playoff appearances in the last eight years). The Golden Eagles return some starters in several key spots. If the underclassmen group can step up this summer, look for Jacobs to challenge for the FVC conference title and a higher seed in 7A come IHSA playoff time.