Thornton Wildcats
Last year's record: 6-4 (5-2 SouthWest Suburban Red), lost to Oswego in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs
Head coach: Bill Mosel
Record: 178-92 at school and overall.
Assistant coaches: Dontrell Jackson, Preston LeFlore, Tai Streets, Ken Smith, Gus Jones, Dale Mize, Bruce Muhammad.
Starters back: 11 (5 on offense, 6 on defense)
Top offensive players: Jamal Towns, Sr., RB (1,452 yards, 14 TDs rushing, 9 catches, 122 yards, 2 TDs receiving); Jason Towns, Sr., QB (50-of-72 passing, 5 TDs passing, 363 yards rushing and 4 TDs); D'Anthony Cross, Jr., WR (231 yards rushing and 6 TDs, 27 catches, 237 yards, 5 TDs receiving); Jawan Westley, Jr., WR (35 catches, 321 yards, 4 TDs); Jerome Jenkins, Sr., OL (graded out at 89 percent).
Top defensive players: Jalen Banks, Sr., DB (55 tackles, 4 INTs); Jerome Jenkins, Sr., DT (59 tackles, 13 sacks, 10 TFL); Jason Towns, Sr., DB (34 tackles, 4 INTs); Taje Frazier, Sr., DB (22 tackles, 3 INTs); Derrick Wanderick, DL, (47 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 TFL); Lavon Ratcliff, Sr., DE (57 tackles, 5 sacks, 5 TFL).
The Times Breakdown
The Wildcats have a lot of talent and experience. A lot of these seniors started as sophomores and Banks is a four-year starter. Banks has offers from seven schools and is one of the top prep defensive backs in the country. Both the offensive and defensive lines, led by two-way performer Jenkins and defensive end Ratcliff should be among the best at stopping teams in their tracks. Offensively, the Towns twins are definitely double-trouble. Both can hurt you in so many ways on both sides of the ball. Wide receivers Cross and Westley are big-play guys. Thornton is pretty solid all around. The Wildcats could make a nice playoff run if everyone stays healthy.
Quote: “The SouthWest Suburban Red this year is very balanced. We will only go as far as our offensive and defensive line can take us." !~ Mosel
!~ Compiled by Mike Nieto
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