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 @CSNPreps Top 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 25.
School: Huntley
Head coach: Matt Zimolzak
Assistant coaches: Mike Slattery (OC/QB), Doug Millsaps (Asst. QB), Mike Naymola (WR), Joel Bosman (Asst. WR), Zack Borring (Asst. WR), Craig Kastning (RB), Chris Babyar (OL), Mike Doty (Asst. OL), Cliff Pawlak (DB), Paul Reinke (LB), Ben Salomon (DL), Keith Mooney (Asst. DL), Gary Swanson (Strength), Will Benson (Scout Team), Brad Aney (Freshmen HC), John Woo (Freshmen DB), Mike Ginczycki (Freshmen DC/LB), Jeff Beam (Freshmen DL), Gavin Fahey (Freshmen WR), Jim Rago (Freshmen RB), Zach Davidson Freshmen (OC/QB).
How they fared in 2016: 8-4 (6-2 Fox Valley Conference), made the Class 8A state playoff field, defeated Stevenson and Fremd then lost to Loyola Academy in the quarterfinals.
[MORE: 58 Days to Kickoff - St. Viator]
2017 regular season schedule:
Aug. 25 – @ Jacobs
Sept. 1 – Prairie Ridge
Sept. 8 – @ Dundee Crown
Sept. 15 - Hampshire
Sept. 22 - Cary-Grove
Sept. 29 – @ West Aurora
Oct. 6 - Crystal Lake Central
Oct. 13 - @ Crystal Lake South
Oct. 20- @ McHenry
Biggest storyline: Can the Red Raiders win the Fox Valley Conference and make another deep run?
Names to watch this season: senior QB/DB Eric Mooney, senior LB Charlie Zornow
Biggest holes to fill: The Red Raiders will need to reload on the offensive line with just senior Joey Wilson (6-foot-2, 260 pounds) as the lone returning starter.
EDGY's early take: Huntley took some real positive steps forward in 2016, including big playoff wins against 8A powers Stevenson and Fremd. With Mooney back in the fold, along with good talent returning on both sides of the football, expect another strong FVC and postseason run from the Red Raiders.