Area’s finest on gridiron, court
With the football season winding down with state quarterfinal play this weekend — and basketball practice starting this week — it’s time to break down what are expected to be the Chicago-area schools with the highest level of success in football and basketball in 2018-2019.
Everyone will try to duplicate what Stevenson accomplished in 2014-2015. The Patriots ran the table in winning the Class 8A state football title in November and then, behind Jalen Brunson, captured the Class 4A state basketball title four months later.
Nonetheless, there are several schools that have experienced terrific football seasons this fall and are poised for a big winter of basketball.
Homewood-Flossmoor
Football: This program is rolling with eight consecutive trips to the playoffs. A quarterfinal win over Marist on Saturday will give the Vikings their fourth 10-plus-win season in the last five years.
Basketball: The defending Southwest Suburban Blue champs won 21 games a year ago and should be even better with their experience, size and length.
Simeon
Football: The Wolverines are the top seed in the Class 7A state football playoffs and will face Nazareth Academy on Saturday at Gately Stadium. A victory would put Simeon in the state semifinals for the second time in school history.
Basketball: The state’s signature basketball program once again will be highly ranked and a state title contender.
Loyola
Football: Coach John Holecek has built a monster on the North Shore. With a win Saturday, the Ramblers will advance to the state semifinals for the ninth time in 10 years.
Basketball: The Ramblers won 24 games and a regional championship a year ago. Coach Tom Livatino’s team could be even better this season with three returning starters.
Notre Dame
Football: Arguably the best team at Notre Dame since the 5A state runner-up finish in 1989, the Dons are 9-2 and have advanced to the Class 6A state quarterfinals.
Basketball: With young talent in place, headed by sophomores Anthony Sayles, who also is the starting quarterback while being a Division I basketball prospect, and Troy D’Amico, Notre Dame could crack the top 25 this season.
Hillcrest
Football: The Hawks have reached the playoffs in three straight seasons. That’s a far cry from where this program was from 2010 to 2015, when it went a combined 5-49. But this is the year Hillcrest took a step forward, advancing to the state quarterfinals in Class 5A with a perfect 11-0 record.
Basketball: Coach Don Houston’s team is a perennial power in the south suburbs. The Hawks once again will be a top 25 team when the season begins later this month.
Willowbrook
Football: The West Suburban Gold champs are still playing in the Class 7A playoffs. The Warriors will travel to face Batavia in the state quarterfinals in a battle of unbeaten teams.
Basketball: Fresh off a 26-win season a year ago, coach Chris Perkins has enough talent to get Willowbrook back to 20 wins again and contend in the West Suburban Gold.
Oak Park
Football: The Huskies reached the playoffs for the seventh straight season, winning an opening-round game before falling to Brother Rice in the second round to finish 8-3.
Basketball: With experienced seniors and bright, young talent, coach Matt Maloney’s team will be ranked and shooting for its third straight West Suburban Silver championship and another regional title.
Want the latest information and analysis on high school football? Our team of Michael O’Brien, Beth Long and Annie Costabile shares the latest news, insights and weekly Super 25 rankings in a livestream show called ‘‘Sun-Times Game Week’’ at 4:30 p.m. every Monday. Like and follow our high school sports Facebook page and watch the show on Facebook Live. You also can ask questions using #suntimesgameweek.