Let the countdown begin. We're only 42 days until the first football Friday. This month we're giving a first look at the football teams around Kendall County. This week, it's Oswego East.
Team: Oswego East.
How they fared in 2016: 9-2 (8-1 Southwest Prairie Conference), lost to Loyola 22-3 in the second round of the Class 8A playoffs.
Week 1 opponent: Joliet West (49-14 win last year).
Names to watch: Antwain Walker, Sr., DB/WR; B.J. Graves, Sr., RB/LB; Kyle Eberly, Sr., OL/DL; Garrett Fiduccia, Sr., DB; Jack Cooper, Sr., OL; Jackson O'Reilly, Sr., LB; Justin Clark, Jr., Athlete; Akeem Richards, Sr., OL.
Summer storyline: Where do the Wolves find offensive production? Justin Clark is the only returner who scored an offensive touchdown last season. Oswego East does bring back three starters along the offensive line.
Oswego East senior B.J. Graves is a four-year varsity player going into his third year as a starter. Graves, a linebacker/H-back, anchors what should be a strong back eight to the Wolves' defense – arguably the biggest strength of the team.
Oswego East senior cornerback Antwain Walker committed to Illinois in June. Walker, who emerged as the Wolves' top cover guy last year, will also see time at wide receiver this fall. "The strides he's made the last two years are remarkable," Wolves coach Tyson LeBlanc said.
Oswego East senior defensive back Garrett Fiduccia (left), along with B.J. Graves, are the vocal leaders for a Wolves' defense that allowed 14 points or fewer seven times last year.
Oswego East junior Justin Clark is the only returning player to score an offensive touchdown last year. He rotated at safety, kick returner and punt returner as a sophomore. "I may be a little biased, but I think he's one of the top athletes in the conference," Wolves coach Tyson LeBlanc said.
Oswego East senior Kyle Eberly (in air), according to Wolves' coach Tyson LeBlanc, has put on 40 pounds since last year without losing any speed. "He's a guy that could eventually be a scholarship guy," LeBlanc said.
Oswego East senior linebacker Jackson O'Reilly, a wrestling sectional qualifier last year, carries that toughness to his outside linebacker position. "He's very aggressive, a good sure tackler," Wolves coach Tyson LeBlanc said.