24 Days to Kickoff: Joliet Catholic

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NBCSportsChicago.com preps reporter "Edgy" Tim O’Halloran spotlights 100 high school football teams in 100 days. The first 75 team profiles will focus on teams making strides across Chicagoland and elsewhere in the state. Starting Aug. 5, we’ll unveil the @NBCSPrepsTop 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 30.

School: Joliet Catholic

Head coach: Jake Jaworski

Assistant coaches: Dave Douglas, Mark Mettille, Cory McLaughlin, Chris Kinsella, Jake Ziesmer, Zach Dolph, Craig Slowik and Joe Gruben

How they fared in 2018: 10-4 (4-3 East Suburban Catholic Conference). JCA made the 2018 Class 5A state playoff field and defeated Metamora, Marion, Highland and Hillcrest, then defeated Montini Catholic to capture the Class 5A state title. 

2019 regular season schedule:

Aug. 30 @ St. Rita
Sept. 6 vs IC Catholic Prep
Sept. 13 vs St Laurence
Sept. 20 vs Fenwick
Sept. 27 vs Brother Rice
Oct. 4 @ St. Ignatius
Oct. 11 vs Carmel
Oct. 18 @ DePaul Prep
Oct. 25 @ Marmion Academy

[MORE: 29 Days to Kickoff - IC Catholic Prep

Biggest storyline: How will the Hilltoppers fare in the newly combined CCL/ESCC conference? Can they win back-to-back 5A state titles?

Names to watch this season: RB Kenyetta Williams (Sr.) and OL Conor Kovas (Sr.)

Biggest holes to fill: The Hilltoppers will need to reload on the offensive line as well as on defense. The young team welcomes back just three starters on defense off of last year's state title winning team. 

EDGY's Early Take: Joliet Catholic was 4-4 at one point last year, sitting on the brink of elimination. They went into Niles, beat Notre Dame 33-17 and qualified for the playoffs. The rest is history. Coach Jaworski and the Hilltoppers will look towards a deep and talented backfield led by senior running back Kenyetta Williams, a D-1 recruit who missed nearly his entire 2018 season due to injury. If the Hillmen can reload on the offensive line, they have enough weapons on board to make another run again in 5A. 

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