97 Days to Kickoff: Thornwood

Share

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 @CSNPreps Top 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 25.

School: Thornwood

Head coach: Kenneth Smith

Assistant coaches: Jim Sokoloski, Thomas Carr, Terrence Henderson, George Walker, Bryan Fomby, Deoplus Williams, Kourtney Young, Vince Kasley, Cederick Cole, Martell Frazier

How they fared in 2016: 5-5 (2-4 Southwest Suburban Conference) The Thunderbirds made the Class 7A playoffs and lost to Rolling Meadows in opening-round action.

[MORE: 98 Days to Kickoff - St. Charles East]

2017 regular season schedule:

8/25 - @ Rich Central

9/1 - vs. Rock Island

9/8 - vs. Lincoln-Way Central

9/15 - @ Stagg

9/22 - @ Neuqua Valley

9/29 - vs. Thornton

10/16 - vs. Andrew

10/23 - @ Lincoln-Way East

10/20 - @ Thornridge

Biggest storyline: Can the Thunderbirds make it back-to-back state playoff appearances?

Names to watch this season: Senior RB Peerless Jackson, Senior LB/DE Dillon Watson, Junior DE Ogochukwu Nosike

Biggest holes to fill: The Thunderbirds will need to replace its entire starting offensive line from 2016.

EDGY's early take: Smith takes over one of the south suburbs’ biggest sleeping giant football programs. Thornwood has a building full of capable and very talented athletes. If Smith can get this team to buy into his program, they could surprise people once again this season.

Contact Us