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: Maine South
Head coach: Dave Inserra
Assistant Coaches: Charlie Bliss-OC, Rob Zima-OL, Matt Pater-LBs, Pat Manning-Special Teams, Adrian Kibiersza-DL, John Cecchin-CBs, Tommy Barrett-WR/RB, Howie McGrath-video, Scott Yoshioka-Equipment
How they fared in 2017: 11-2 (5-0 Central Suburban South Conference), Maine South was able to make the Class 8A state playoff field and defeated Evanston, Warren Township and Naperville Central before losing to Lincoln-Way East in the Class 8A state semifinal round.
2018 Regular Season Schedule:
Aug. 24 vs Glenbard West
Aug. 31 @ Mount Carmel
Sept 7 vs Barrington
Sept. 15 @ Conant
Sept. 21 @ Evanston
Sept. 29 vs Niles North
Oct. 5 @ Glenbrook South
Oct. 12 vs New Trier
Oct. 19 vs Niles West
Biggest storyline: Can the Hawks reload and make another deep run in Class 8A this season?
Names to watch this season: OL/DL Peter Skoronski RB/LB Jimmy Bartell
Biggest holes to fill: The Hawks will need to reload on offense with just one returning starter back in junior OL Peter Skoronski.
EDGY's Early Take: Despite suffering heavy graduation losses on offense this past spring, Maine South is never short in talent especially when it comes to the Hawks spread passing attack. The Maine South defense will be an early strength with 9 returning starters led by senior LB Jimmy Bartell plus senior LB Luke Preston along with three starters back in the Maine South secondary. The schedule is also never easy with Maine South and while it could take the Hawks offense a few weeks to get on track, I fully expect this 8A power program to be near the top of the Class 8A field in 2018.