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 @CSNPrepsTop 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 25.
School: Grayslake North
Head coach: Sam Baker
Assistant Coaches: Andy Strahan, Jim West, Collin McKillip, Brian Johnson, Brian Horn, Scott Kapchinksi, Karl Jennrich, Jon Sawyer, Greg Geiger, Tim LaBrie
How they fared in 2016: 8-3 (5-2 Northern Lake County Conference), made the Class 6A state playoffs and defeated Lakes then lost to Cary-Grove in second round action.
2017 Regular Season Schedule:
August 25th @ Willowbrook
September 1st vs Sycamore
September 8th vs Lakes
September 15th @ North Chicago
September 22nd vs Round Lake
September 29th @ Wauconda
October 6th vs Grant
October 13th at Grayslake Central
October 20th vs Antioch
Biggest storyline: Can the Knights make a return visit to the IHSA state playoff field?
Names to watch this season: Senior QB Austin Martineau Senior WR/DB Bret Lila
Biggest holes to fill: The Knights will need to reload on the offensive line with just one starter back in senior OL/DL Ryan Bernstein.
EDGY's Early Take: Grayslake North had a strong year in 2016 and with 14 starters returning (6 offense 8 defense) look to be right back in the hunt both in the Northern Lake County conference and in Class 6A.The Knights however will have plenty of challenges since the Northern Lake County conference is shaping up to be strong again this fall.