Ten things Rick Armstrong should keep in mind as high school football begins with first day of practice in Illinois

Just as it should be.

That’s what Aurora veterans from both sides of town who love the sport could agree on this week as high school football began Monday with the first day of practice statewide.

Believe them.

With the start of a new season, my task was to put together a list of 10 things to watch in 2024.

To top it off?

1. Welcome back

West Aurora returns to the Upstate Eight Conference and resumes its series with crosstown rival East Aurora after a five-season break.

“For any kid who has played at Aurora, one of the most memorable things is the East-West game,” said West Aurora graduate Nate Eimer, who has coached his alma mater since 2011.

“It’s a shame we haven’t been able to play it in the last five years. I’m 41 years old and I can tell you details of the three games I played in. And every time the players I played with or against get together, their experiences in that game are sure to come to the fore.”

Eimer has an 8-0 record as a coach against the Tomcats, extending his program’s winning streak to a record 18 straight victories in a series that dates back to 1893. The Blackhawks lead 66-48-12, but Eimer has seen both sides. The last time the Tomcats prevailed (26-23 in 2000), Eimer was a senior.

When West Aurora left the Upstate Eight for the Southwest Prairie West in 2019, neither team had the flexibility to schedule the other since both were limited to playing conference opponents.

East Aurora coach Nick Kukuc, preparing for his seventh season, coached against Eimer’s Blackhawks in his first season, a 51-0 loss.

The Tomcats, however, have steadily improved and last year ended a decades-long drought, making the playoffs for the first time since 1982. It was also the first time both teams made the playoffs in the same season.

“It’s had a huge effect on our program,” Kukuc said. “There’s more confidence among our athletes. We have to understand that we have to keep working because we’re not going to surprise anyone.”

The teams will meet on October 18 at East Aurora in Week 8 of the regular season.

2. Coaching carousel

The area has five new coaches, although two (South Elgin’s Pat Pistorio and Streamwood’s Don Guindon) return to their previous positions.

Pistorio, who coached the Storm from 2013-17 before moving to Niles North, returns to replace Dragan Teonic, who is now with the Cary-Grove staff. Guindon coached the Sabres from 2015-19.

Adam Guerra replaces the retired Dan Thorpe at Marmion, Adam Pucylowski takes over at Waubonsie Valley and former Streator coach Kyle Tutt leads Plano after Rick Ponx returned to the college ranks to join the Benedictine staff.

3. Georgia on her mind

It’s always big news when local players receive offers from the top five universities in the world. The biggest one of the offseason came in mid-June when Geneva wide receiver Talyn Taylor committed to Georgia.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Taylor was limited to six games last season by injuries but caught 32 passes for 512 yards and seven touchdowns. In July, the four-star recruit committed to play in the 2025 All-American Bowl after his senior season.

“He’s at the top of his game,” Vikings coach Boone Thorgesen said. “I get asked that a lot, but yes, he’s a top-notch player. To put it in words, he does things you can’t teach. He’s elite, a complete player.”

4. Big shoes to fill

Playoff regulars Batavia and Kaneland have veteran quarterbacks to replace as three-year starter Ryan Boe left for Northwestern and four-year starter Troyer Carlson will be at Wisconsin Whitewater, respectively.

5. Week Zero Practice Matches

Coaches traditionally hold an intersquad scrimmage on the Friday before the season opener, but this year they have another option against another team with 12 plays for each team in both halves with officials and no kickoffs, punts or special teams.

Eimer said West Aurora will face Oswego East “because it will feel more like a real game than a matchup between teams. I’m pretty excited about it.”

Thorgesen stands firm.

“We had a couple of offers, but I didn’t want to travel,” Thorgesen said. “Based on the coaches I talked to, I think the turnout will be about 50-50. We may do it in the future, but with the new turf and track being installed this summer, I wasn’t sure about scheduling it this year.”

6. Changing it

A fun exercise that is done every year is to see who your favorite team plays in non-conference games, if it is a scheduling option.

Interesting matchups include Batavia at Glenbard West, then home against South Elgin, which opens at home with Barrington.

St. Charles North opens with Palatine and Crete-Monee, while Oswego has games against Neuqua Valley and Joliet Catholic.

7. A glove

With teams in eight classes, determining the strength of the schedule is difficult, but Mike Thorgesen and Kaneland have a tough road ahead.

The Knights will face non-conference opponents Washington (11-2), Wauconda (8-3), Belleville Althoff (10-2) and DeKalb, a 6A team that went 3-6 playing primarily 8A teams. Conference games include Rochelle (7-4), Sycamore (9-2) and Morris (11-1).

8. Oops!

Catch them if you can

Taylor has company, as there are plenty of talented receivers in the area. West Aurora’s Terrence Smith has 16 offers, including three from the Big Ten, after catching 59 passes for 906 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Look out for South Elgin senior Ishmael George, St. Charles East junior Sheko Gjokaj, and Batavia senior Isaiah Brown.

9. Player of the Year Candidates

Oswego linebacker Carson Cooney, an Iowa recruit, and St. Charles North quarterback Ethan Plumb headline a list of serious contenders for honors as the area’s top player.

10. Comings and goings

The transfers include Aurora Christian quarterback Jalen Carter to Wheaton St. Francis and Marmion linebacker Gavin Burt to his hometown of Geneva.