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Scouting the Glenbard South Raiders

The smallest school in the Upstate Eight Conference didn't play small last season, its first year in the league.

Glenbard South coach Ryan Crissey again looks to compete for a conference title, with a caveat.

"Our goals are much more immediate," he said. "If we're taking care of the present the future will take care of itself. For us the entire focus is just Streamwood (Week 1)."

Present and future will be served with a roster that returns nine starters but only two returning senior starters in all-conference quarterback Nick Plaso and offensive lineman Kyle Bailey.

Teaming in 2018 with graduated receiver Tavion Keith to set individual program records for receptions and receiving yardage, Plaso completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,595 yards and 10 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. A dual-threat, Plaso ran for 5 touchdowns.

Crissey said that like Plaso, running back-receiver Trevor Burnett has attracted college interest. In a supporting role last season Burnett ran sparingly but was the Raiders' third-leading receiver by yardage, 208 yards with 2 touchdown catches.

Crissey prefers a run-heavy offense, though between an experienced quarterback helming the spread offense and receivers including Yazan Blan, Cade Hardtke, Dominic D'Ambra and Burnett, he'll take what defenses allow.

Experience is sprinkled throughout both lines and on defense with returners like 265-pound Faiz Hameed, center Johnny Golden, two-way lineman Connor Murphy and linebackers Tony Ashley and Cade DiFranco. Ashley's 89 tackles ranked second for the Raiders in 2018.

The secondary is a strength with Tajuan McKinnie, Easton Lange, Burnett and newcomer Amarion Wilson.

"It's a team that has set high expectations for itself," Crissey said. "And through summer camp and up to this point they are practicing and preparing like a team that expects to make a deep playoff run."

One to watch: Bartlett in Week 3 will be a measuring stick that impacts Glenbard South the rest of the way.

The breakdown

Coach: Ryan Crissey (fifth year, 22-20).

2018 record: 5-5, 5-4, fifth in the Upstate Eight.

Top players: LB Tony Ashley, jr.; OL Kyle Bailey, sr.; WR Yazan Blan, jr.; RB-WR Trevor Burnett, so.; LB Cade DiFranco, sr.; OL Johnny Golden, jr.; OL-DL Faiz Hameed, jr.; WR Cade Hardtke, jr.; DB Tajuan McKinnie, sr.; OL-DL Connor Murphy, so.; QB Nick Plaso, sr.

- Dave Oberhelman

Schedule

Fri, Aug 30, Streamwood at Glenbard South, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Sep 6, Glenbard South at Elgin, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Sep 13, Bartlett at Glenbard South, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Sep 20, Glenbard South at East Aurora, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Sep 27, Larkin at Glenbard South, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Oct 4, Fenton at Glenbard South, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Oct 11, Glenbard South at South Elgin, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Oct 18, Glenbard South at Glenbard East, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Oct 25, West Chicago at Glenbard South, 7:30 p.m.

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