FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Glenbrook North’s Jimmy Karfis rushed for 927 yards last fall. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Jimmy Karfis likely will be a marked man this fall.
The senior all-CSL North running back was Mr. Excitement a year ago. And he’s worked very hard to get better.
“I’m sure teams will be lining up to stop him,” said Glenbrook North head coach Bob Pieper. “We’ve had a lot of great running backs at this school. And he’s another one.
“He knows what it takes to be successful,” the coach added.
Season Opener:
GBN will host Wheeling on Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.
Showdown Games:
Week 6: GBN at HP
Week 8: GBN at Deerfield
Week 9: GBN at Vernon Hills
Last Year:
9-2 record
1-1 in Class 7A state playoffs
Head Coach:
Bob Pieper (17 seasons, 108-61)
Blue Chippers:
• Jimmy Karfis (Sr., RB) — last year’s stats: 139 rushes, 927 yards, 16 TDs; 20 catches, 230 yards.
• Skyler Metzger (Sr., LB/OL) — started on the O-line last year. He’ll be the centerpiece on defense.
Breakout Players:
• Davu Keels (Sr., WR/DB) — very versatile, very athletic with a big upside.
• Ethan Quayle (Jr., RB/WR/DB) — he’s Alex Bubaris 2.0. “He’s taking Alex’s spot,” said Pieper. “Hopefully, with similar results.”
Like Bubaris (2017 grad), Quayle figures to shine on both sides of the ball. He was in on 34 tackles last season — most of any returning player — including two for losses.
Players on the Rise:
• Landon Abboud (Sr., RB/LB)
• Nico Cardenas (Sr. OL/DL)
• Ben Kieffer (Jr., WR/DB)
• Colin Paul (Sr., WR/DB)
• Dane Spengel (Sr., OL/DL)
The QB:
• Burke Morley (Sr.)
Burke (5-9, 155) won the job over sophomore Ben Foster (5-11, 150) and junior Tibor Klein (5-10, 220).
“All of three of guys fought for the spot,” said Pieper. “Each of them offers something different.”
Replacing two-year standout Kevin Burnside won’t be easy. Burnside threw for 2,475 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2016. He also rushed for 545 yards and eight TDs.
As a junior, Burnside threw for 1,119 yards and nine touchdowns. He added 395 rushing yards.
Most Intriguing Player:
• Chris Heywood (Sr., WR-DB)
A transfer from Loyola Academy, this 5-foot-10, 210-pounder looks to be a nice fit for the Spartans.
“He’s a very good athlete. He’s showed us some things,” said Pieper. “We’re interested in seeing how he plays with the lights turned on.”
Heywood will not have a problem fitting in.
“He played Junior Spartans,” said Pieper. “He’s friends with all the guys.”
Heywood also has made GBN offensive coordinator and head baseball coach Dom Savino happy. Heywood pitched for the Ramblers last spring.
Notable:
The Spartans graduated 16 starters. … GBN defeated Wheeling 45-29 last fall.
Sound Bite:
“I hate to coach-speak you, but the only thing that we’re thinking about right now is Wheeling. We’re not looking ahead. We’ll try to go 1-0 every week.” — Pieper.
GBN’s Ethan Quayle. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
GBN’S Skyler Metzger. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER