Football Preview: 20 questions and answers

20 questions and answers to get you ready for the season:

1. Who are the five highest rated area prospects in the Class of 2016?

Scout.com ranks Hinsdale South defensive lineman Josh King, a Michigan State recruit, as number one. Following him are Downers Grove South offensive lineman Erik Swenson, a Michigan recruit. Defensive lineman Naquan Jones of Evanston, a Michigan State recruit, is next. Carmel offensive lineman and Minnesota commit Sean Foster and Lincoln-Way West offensive lineman Bryan Brokop, a Nebraska recruit, round out the list.

2. Who are the top prospects from the rest of the state?

O’Fallon running back Kentrail Moran and Sacred Heart-Griffin tight end Albert Okwuegbunam.

3. Which 2015 state champion is best positioned to win again?

Nazareth is at the top of the list. Notre Dame defensive back recruit Julian Love and Lehigh defensive lineman recruit Matt Prendergast both return.

4. How do the other big-school classes shape up?

The preseason favorite for Class 8A is Homewood-Flossmoor, a team returning all its key performers. Watch quarterback Bryce Gray and running backs Deante and Devonte Harley-Hampton. Glenbard West, led by running back Sam Brodner, is also a top contender.

5. Who has the Chicago area’s best shot to win a small-school title?

Phillips returns many of their top athletes, including Quayvon Skanes.

6. Who’s on the preseason All-Area offensive line?

Swenson, Foster and Brokop along with Homewood-Flossmoor’s Desmond Bland and Joliet Catholic senior Tyler Witt.

7. Who’s on the preseason All-Area defensive line?

King and Jones join Crystal Lake Central’s Romeo McKnight and Lake Park’s Mike Panasiuk.

8. Who is the top specialist?

Loyola long snapper John Shannon, a Notre Dame recruit.

9. Who are the top Player of the Year candidates?

Libertyville quarterback Riley Lees, Gray and Oswego quarterback Steven Frank. Brodner, Lincoln-Way East running back Liam Morrissey and the Harley-Hampton brothers are all contenders. Love is also on the list.

10. Who are the area’s Fab Five juniors?

St. Viator tight end Cole Kmet, Brother Rice receiver Ricky Smalling, Neuqua Valley receiver Isaiah Robertson, Nazareth running back Ivory Kelly-Martin and Providence running back Richie Warfield.

11. Who are underclassmen lineman that could make an impact?

Crystal Lake Central sophomore offensive lineman Wyatt Blake, Maine South junior offensive lineman Kevin Jarvis, Nazareth junior defensive lineman Devonte Dunn and St. Charles North junior offensive lineman Isaac Hawn.

12. What’s the deepest position locally in terms of college prospects?

Defensive line with King, Panasiuk, McKnight and Jones. Lake Forest Academy has Penn State recruit Daniel Joseph and uncommitted Thomas Schaffer. Phillips has Amir Watts.

13. Where is the game of the week opening weekend?

Simeon vs. East St. Louis at Gately on Saturday. The Wolverines are one of the most talented teams in the area and East St. Louis is loaded as well.

14. What are games to watch this season?

Lincoln-Way East at Homewood-Flossmoor on October 9th. Bolingbrook at Glenbard West on August 29. Nazareth at Joliet Catholic on October 9. St. Rita at Montini on September 11.

15. Who are some players you haven’t heard of but will?

St. Viator junior tight end Cole Kmet, he’s a big, athletic tight end that has good hands. Loyola senior wide receiver Eric Eshoo, a Northwestern commit, is a smooth, tall and reliable receiver who could put up big numbers.

16. What teams just missed the Super 25?

Lincoln-Way West, Lincoln-Way Central, Glenbard North, Wheaton-Warrenville South and Richards.

17. What teams are sleeper teams?

Evanston has a nice mix of top prospects and a quarterback with a strong arm, Western Michigan recruit Matt Little. Richards has a talented junior class.

18. Who is a quarterback that is poised for a breakout season?

Minooka junior Johnny Carnagio, who has a good arm and is returning for his second season as a starter.

19. Who are some notable transfers?

Phillips added defensive lineman Amir Watts from De La Salle and Malcom Fox from St. Rita. Simeon added linebacker Chris Casey from Richards.

20. What are some story lines to follow this season?

Can a Public League team finally win state championship? Can Homewood-Flossmoor live up to expectations?