Patrick McGavin – Page 22

Lincoln-Way East quarterback Braden Tischer crosses the goal line after after scoring on a 55-yard run against Batavia during a nonconference game in Frankfort on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.

Lincoln-Way East’s Braden Tischer took off for the end zone, surprising Batavia. And his teammates. ‘We didn’t even know he had the wheels.’

September 3, 2022 at 12:26 a.m.

Junior quarterback Braden Tischer, making his second career start, altered the emotional dynamic Friday night for Lincoln-Way East. Senior running back James Kwiecinski, for one, felt a surge watching Tischer...

West Aurora's Pacifique Ndayishimiye starts to kick as Waubonsie Valley's Michael Spano (9) defends during a nonconference game in Aurora on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022.

The disrupter: Blake Studdard helps West Aurora’s defense thwart Waubonsie Valley, then scores big goal. ‘I like to play aggressively.’

August 31, 2022 at 9:45 a.m.

West Aurora's Blake Studdard takes a different approach. He's a natural defender who likes to break down the opposition's offense, smothering the attack before it even begins. He doesn't sit...

Luke Keough is ‘confident and in the moment’ for Naperville North. The senior safety is ready for the scrum.

August 30, 2022 at 12:06 p.m.

Naperville North senior Luke Keough looks forward to hitting hard these days. That wasn't the case when Keough was a reserve early last season, his first on varsity. "I was...

Northern Illinois linebacker Kyle Pugh (57), a Bloom graduate, celebrates a defensive stop against Buffalo during the MAC championship game at Ford Field on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018

‘I am ready for life’: Bloom graduate Kyle Pugh, 25, suits up for eighth and final season as linebacker for Northern Illinois.

August 31, 2022 at 7:10 a.m.

To say the least, Kyle Pugh's journey through college football has been different. Pugh, a Chicago Heights native, graduated in 2015 from Bloom. Barack Obama was still president. He became...

Batavia's Charlie Whelpley runs past Phillips' Javon Bridges during a nonconference game in Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022.

Well, well, well: After playing defense as an underclassman, Ryan Whitwell stands out at running back for Batavia. ‘It’s easy for me.’

August 29, 2022 at 1:35 p.m.

Ryan Whitwell waited patiently to show off his skills on offense for Batavia. The senior running back played "a little bit" on the varsity as a sophomore at linebacker. Last...

East Aurora's Jay Umana (27) goes for a header against West Aurora during a game in the Aurora Cup on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022.

Umana the man: Jay Umana, only a sophomore, becomes emotional leader for East Aurora. ‘He won’t give up.’

August 29, 2022 at 11:52 a.m.

As a freshman, East Aurora's Jay Umana had the good fortune of being anonymous, especially at the beginning of last season. And that has definitely changed. "Nobody had any expectations...

Patrick Z. McGavin’s Aurora, Elgin and Naperville boys soccer rankings and player of the week for Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022

August 29, 2022 at 10:29 a.m.

Top 10 With records through Sunday and previous rankings in parentheses. 1. Naperville Central 3-0 Freshman Chase Adams is a chip off the block. Father Troy is Redhawks' coach. 2....

Morgan Park's Marcus Thaxton passes the ball against Richards during a nonconference game in Chicago on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022.

Get this. Marcus Thaxton takes control at quarterback for Morgan Park. And he’s only a sophomore. ‘I came out very aggressive.’

August 27, 2022 at 12:42 a.m.

Marcus Thaxton struggled in one way Friday night for Morgan Park. And that was in holding back his excitement. The sophomore quarterback felt invincible after the first offensive play to...

Middle linebacker Ryan Anderson is a big hit for Naperville North. Making tackles is only part of it. ‘He’s a great communicator.’

August 25, 2022 at 1:30 p.m.

Ryan Anderson is a linebacker through and through. The Naperville North senior has played that position for many years — and wouldn't have it any other way. "From a young...

Illinois wide receiver Donny Navarro runs upfield against Iowa during a game in Iowa City, Iowa, on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.

Northwestern is Donny Navarro’s third college. Is more success on the horizon for the Neuqua Valley graduate?

August 23, 2022 at 1:35 p.m.

Donny Navarro represents the new age of college football. Freedom of movement reigns supreme in this era of player empowerment, and the Neuqua Valley graduate took his shot. "Having a...

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