AC photo 22

With the first game of the 2019 season a little more than twenty-four hours away, let me share a look back at what players and coaches have been doing for the last three weeks, preseason. Preseason football uniquely braids heat, pain, uncertainty, and excitement. Spring and summer weight programs have increased players’ strength, but sprints in August tend to make muscles scream and brains freeze. The athletes who know losing hurts more than August heat, however, keep pushing because they recognize hard work is the only path to success. While player minds serve as a three week battle ground for the struggle between pain and effort, a question creeps into players’ thoughts. A question about the future that drives champions every day: “Do I have the commitment, the will to win a championship?”  

Photographing preseason practice is an awesome opportunity. Football coaches are notoriously suspicious of anyone who isn’t part of their program, and I respect that, but truly great coaches find a comfortable balance between protecting and promoting their team. These veteran coaches can’t help but share their understanding and love of the game, and that enables fans to get more enjoyment out of watching, and it also helps a photographer make better photographs on game day.   

Under the lights of Friday night, my task is to show how plays and players decide the outcome of the contest. On a practice field under a withering sun on an unremarkable Wednesday afternoon, my challenge is to make photographs that introduce new players or reveal more of a returning player’s personality. Hopefully I have met my preseason challenge and the images that appear here increase football fans’ excitement for the upcoming games.  

The first stop on this year’s preseason tour was Flossmoor, home of the Vikings. The heat wasn’t bothering Marcus Harper, Xavier Fraser, or LaVoise McCoy. All three were doing the August work necessary for November wins.

Driving through beautiful downtown Naperville on a sunny, blue sky puffy white cloud kind of day, I couldn’t help but think, “Now I know why ten million people live here.” The Redhawks have a tough schedule ahead of them–RESPECT. Jadon Thompson looks just as good in NC red as he did in Marist red, and Sam Jackson looks comfortable throwing the ball instead of catching it.

My next stop was Oak lawn, Richards High School. The talented Leshon Williams impresses and he is worth the price of admission, but the Bulldogs are not a one trick pony. Jevon Robinson, Andre Jefferson, Trishawn Lott, Jalen Lee and several others make this an exciting team to watch. This team hits, hard, play after play, and the whole time they’re causing an opponent to question their commitment, the Dogs are smiling an lovin’ life. They open in New Lenox against Lincoln-Way Central. I’ll be there.

Montini’s campus is tucked back in a quiet neighborhood. I never would have found it without GPS. They are a different team than they were a year ago, but look at the success they’ve had, and it’s easy to see the Broncos making a run in the playoffs.

My visit to Batavia was a great afternoon, even if it did rain. This is Quinn Urwiler’s fourth, and final year, of making opposing coach’s game plans look silly. I’m sure Geneva and other neighboring teams can’t wait to see him go. If you haven’t already seen him, don’t miss a chance to see this two-way player amaze you. On offense the Bulldogs have a BIG line to create space for Urwiler and Art Taylor. On defense, along with Urwiler and Jackson Williams, the Bulldogs have the well-named ‘Mojo’. A linebacker who keeps quarterbacks asking, “Does anybody wanna block that guy tonight?”

Wilmette is a long drive for me, but I never mind the trip. Over the last eight years the Loyola Ramblers have played in six championship games winning two titles. With only a small number of returning players from last year’s championship team, it would seem this might be a down year–don’t count on it. With committed players and great coaches, the maroon and gold will likely continue ending opponents playoff dreams in November.

Similar to Loyola, Maine South’s ability to shape a group of new players into a championship team has frustrated many opponents. Also like Loyola, last year’s graduation leaves the Hawks looking for many new players to step into starting jobs. One veteran the younger players can look to for leadership is offensive lineman Peter Skoronski. The son of a former NFL player will move on to Northwestern University next year.

The Nazareth Roadrunners are the defending 7A State Champion. With loads of returning talent, some new players making their way to LaGrange Park, oh, and the best quarterback in the state, J.J. McCarthy, this is a team football fans want to see play. For the skeptics who haven’t seen McCarthy on the field, go watch a game. The junior can T.H.R.O.W the ball. He has a strong arm and an accurate eye. Combined with the Roadrunner’s defense, led by C.J. West, Ryan Keeler, and Marcus Griffin, Nazareth has high expectations for post turkey day football.

The photos to open the blog, Michael Pusateri of Maine South, those are there to remember what November football looks like. A linebacker playing hurt. A linebacker wearing the field. A linebacker giving everything he’s got. Three months from now the pain of August will be completely forgotten, and the only thought on everyone’s mind will be a state championship. November football will reveal who has had the will of a champion since day one of preseason.