CSNChicago.com preps reporter "Edgy" Tim O’Halloran spotlights 100 high school football teams in 100 days. The first 75 team profiles focus on teams making strides across Chicagoland and elsewhere in the state. Starting Aug. 1, we’ll unveil the @CSNPreps Top 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 26. View Edgy Tim's other football previews here.
School: Libertyville
Head coach: Mike Jones
How they fared in 2015: 13-1 (6-0) North Suburban Lake Conference. Libertyville made the Class 7A state playoff field. The Wildcats defeated Downers Grove North, Lincoln-Way East, Normal Community and Bradley before losing to Glenbard West in the title game.
Biggest storyline in 2016: Will the Wildcats have life after Riley Lees?
Names to watch this season: OT Tyler Jost, DT Ryan O'Malley
[PREPS: Edgy Tim's Countdown to Kickoff series]
Biggest holes to fill: Lees (Northwestern) was a huge part of the Wildcats offense over the past few seasons.
EDGY's early take: No question Libertyville will need to replace some key spots, especially at the offensive skills positions this season. However, the Wildcats still have talent on board. Libertyville will rely on its offensive line play, led by Jost (Iowa State) and junior Charles Schmidt, plus a defense that returns some key names from last season.
Wildcats schedule:
Aug. 26 at Elk Grove (7:30 p.m.)
Sept. 2 vs. Batavia (7:30 p.m.)
Sept. 9 vs. Warren Township (7:30 p.m.)
Sept. 16 vs. Waukegan (7:30 p.m.)
Sept. 23 at Lake Forest (7:30 p.m.)
Sept. 30 vs. Stevenson (7:30 p.m.)
Oct. 7 at Mundelein (7:30 p.m.)
Oct. 14 vs. Lake Zurich (7:30 p.m.)
Oct. 21 at Barrington (7:30 p.m.)