Many reasons to look for knights

Promising quarterback Jack Skoog escapes the rush in last year’s playoff game against Buffalo Grove. (Photo: Dion Martorano/Journal)

Head coach Dan DeBoeuf enters his seventh season as coach of the Knights and is excited about this year’s team.

“We have a strong group of returnees and some key players returning to important positions … it looks like a very successful season,” DeBoeuf said.

On offense, the three-headed monsters of quarterback Jack Skoog, running back Noah Easter and wide receiver Nick Carlucci return and are ready to lead the Knights.

“It’s always exciting when the quarterback, running back and top receiver are back. We’re going to rely on those guys to lead the offense.”

Skoog threw for over 2,000 yards, Easter ran for over 1,000 yards and Carlucci had over 1,000 receiving yards, all as juniors.

Experienced offensive lineman JJ Tsaglis will anchor the O-line.

Junior wide receiver Nate Cichy, who qualified for the state championships in track and field, is expected to be a top freshman on offense.

“Nate has really changed and grown into his body,” DeBoeuf said. “He’s also one of the fastest guys we’ve ever had in the program and his name will be known around the area in a few weeks.”

On defense, senior linebacker and three-year starter JT Zei returns and will be the leader of that unit. Senior defensive lineman Parker Ray, who had 13 sacks as a junior, will lead the D-line and is ready to terrorize opponents’ backfields once again.

“Both Parker and JT are really good players and should be strong candidates for the conference’s best defensive player award,” DeBoeuf said.

Experienced defensive back Jacob Bednarski returns and will strengthen the secondary.

Two key newcomers to keep an eye on include defensive lineman Charlie Letzig, defensive back Lucas Thomas, wide receiver Lucas Deines and offensive lineman Carson Range.

In his sophomore year, Deines started one game at quarterback when Skoog was out with an injury and helped the Knights to a win over New Trier.

DeBoeuf said Deines will start at wide receiver and will also serve as a backup quarterback for Skoog and occasionally get a few plays/packages per game.

Another big name to keep an eye on is senior kicker Carter Cremascoli. He is attracting a lot of interest from Ivy League universities like Vanderbilt and Minnesota, to name a few.

“Carter is going to be a big weapon for us. Anything inside 60 yards, we might opt ​​for a field goal because he has that range and power.”

The team goals are to win the MSL East and make it deep into the playoffs.

One of the reasons the Knights have chosen to “play at a higher level and face the bigger CSL schools” in recent years is because they want to have tougher, more competitive games in the regular season to be better prepared for playoff time.

The team slogan is “Be where your feet are.”

“We want everyone to enjoy the time together because it goes by so quickly and to have a lot of fun,” DeBoeuf said.

schedule

30 August – in Lyon, 19:30

September 6 – against Palatine, 7:30 p.m.

September 13 – against New Trier, 7:30 p.m.

September 20 – in Evanston, 7:30 p.m.

September 27 – in Wheeling, 7:30 p.m.

October 4 – Rolling Meadows, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 – vs. Hersey, 7 p.m.

October 18 – in Elk Grove, 7:30 p.m.

October 25 – vs. Buffalo Grove, 7:30 p.m.

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