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: Homewood-Flossmoor
Head coach: Craig Buzea
Assistant coaches: Tom Cicero, Zac Wells, Alex Pratt, Daron Williams, Eric Schreiber Jr., Bart Czachor, David James, Josh Blair, Josh Forney and Matt Ramos
How they fared in 2017: 9-2 (6-1 Southwest Suburban Conference). H-F made the 8A state playoff field, defeated Lake Park then lost to Naperville Central in second round action.
2018 Regular Season Schedule:
Aug. 24 vs Michigan City (IN)
Sept. 1 vs Lutheran North (MO.) at East St. Louis
Sept. 7 vs Stagg
Sept. 14 @ Bolingbrook
Sept. 21 vs Lincoln-Way West
Sept. 28 @ Lincoln-Way East
Oct. 5 @ Bradley
Oct. 12 vs Andrew
Oct. 19 vs Sandburg
[MORE: 69 Days to Kickoff - Lincoln-Way West]
Biggest storyline: Can the Vikings, now without their dynamic WR/RB Justin Hall (NIU), get back to the postseason and play deeper into November?
Names to watch this season: QB Dominick Jones and DB Wynston Russell (Oregon State)
Biggest holes to fill: The Vikings have a good number of returning starters back in 2018 (five offense, six defense). The team boasts plenty of talent. But who can step up and be the go-to guy? Who replaces Justin Hall?
EDGY's Early Take: The Vikings have become a traditional power in Chicago's south suburbs and in the overall Class 8A field. Head coach Craig Buzea is looking for a breakout season and he has the ingredients in the program. The offense will be led by junior QB Dominick Jones. He has some firepower behind him in senior RB Leon Tanna. Keep an eye senior TE Jack Schmitz as well. The defense is also talent-heavy. Look for senior DL Isaiah Coe and senior DE/OLB Charlie Brooks to help carry the load. Oregon State commit senior DB Wynston Russell is the lone returning starter in the secondary.