26 Days to Kickoff: IC 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 July 30, we’ll unveil the @NBCSPrepsTop 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 24.

School: IC Catholic

Head coach: Bill Krefft

Assistant coaches: Matt Bowen, Roger Kelley, Matt Hornstra, Matt Doherty, Matt Bettinazzi, Mike Calcagno, Jim Kenneally, Matt Schmidt, Jim Sheedy, Kevin Cooney, Mark Schultz, Anthony Navigato, Anthony Navigato Jr., Donald Johnson, Jeff Savini, Jonathan Jones, Avery Weston, Thomas Gibbons, Jack Lamborn and Jeremy Annicella

How they fared in 2017: 13-1 (5-0 Metro Suburban Blue Conference). IC Prep made the Class 3A state playoff field and defeated Watseka, Peotone, Wilmington and Byron. They advanced to state and defeated Pleasant Plains to capture the 2017 IHSA Class 3A title. 

2018 Regular Season Schedule:

Aug. 24 vs Belleville Althoff at Illinois Wesleylan

Aug. 31 vs Joliet Catholic

Sept. 7 @ Wheaton Academy

Sept. 14 vs Bishop McNamara

Sept. 21 @ Aurora Christian

Sept. 28 @ Aurora Central Catholic

Oct. 5 @ St. Edward

Oct. 13 vs St. Francis

Oct. 19 vs Riverside-Brookfield

Biggest storyline: They’re m ovin’ on up. With a step up to class 4A, how will they fare against bigger competition? Can they win another IHSA state football title?

Names to watch this season: Twin brothers WR/LB Khali Saunders (Purdue) and QB/DB Khalil Saunders

Biggest holes to fill: The Knights welcome back 18 returning starters from their 2017 state title team; however, overall numbers and depth is always a concern for any IHSA football team these days—especially for one having to move up a class.  

EDGY's Early Take: If it looks like the Knights are going to be a favorite again to win the Metro Suburban Blue conference crown, along with being one of the favorites to win Class 4A, you would not be mistaken. Keep an eye on the early non-conference schedule for the Knights. It includes a very strong opening week game against Metro East 4A power Althoff. Then, they host up-and-coming Joliet Catholic. Both games should provide a nice early test against schools with bigger enrollments. 

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