IHSA Highschool Team Preview: Kenwood Broncos

Photo: Kenwood Athletics

Debo Olaleye

August 13, 2021 @ 02:30 PM

The Kenwood Broncos are one of the most exciting teams to watch every year in the Chicago Public, Illini (Red Bird) conference. Every year they score a lot of points and have players on defense who are looking to make you feel every hit that they deliver. With multiple starters returning on both sides of the ball, the Broncos will have the ability to compete for state or the city title. In the spring they lost 2 games to conference rivals Morgan Park High school and Simeon Academy. The Broncos will get the opportunity to make up those revenge games in October behind senior players such as [player_tooltip player_id="20883" first="Jalil" last="Martin"], Jamontae Harris, and more!   2021 Spring Season (3-2) 3/27- Perspectives (36-2) 4/3- Morgan Park HS (0-20) 4/10- Curie HS (FF) 4/17- Simeon Career Academy (18-23) <hr /> Impact Players to watch: [player_tooltip player_id="20883" first="Jalil" last="Martin"] (ATH-2022- 6’3” 190lb) Big bodied physical player who plays both wideout and corner. He has strong hands, comes back to the ball on hitches/curls, and can high point the ball with anyone. He’s currently listed as a 3-star prospect, and it shows on the tape he put together this spring.   Mario Grayer (DE-2022- 6’4” 240lb) Mario played the 5 technique to the strength of the offense for his junior year. He’s a strong player who does a good job playing his gap. Where he excels is when he can be in a 2 point stance and flat-out pass rush. With a defense that has most of its starters returning, you can expect Mario’s best.   [player_tooltip player_id="139454" first="Kahlil" last="Tate"] (ATH-2023- 6’1” 185lb) Kahlil is an aggressive player who plays the majority of his snaps at safety but also plays receiver. Playing varsity as a sophomore this spring, Kahlil plays all over the field looking to hit someone. Now being a year older in the defense, it’s out of the question to keep your eye on him.   Deandre Sisson (RG- 2022- 6’4” 315lb) The big man playing RG/C for the Broncos is an impact player for Kenwoods offense. He most likely will be the leader of that offensive line this fall. He’s a stonewall in pass protection, and in run block situations, you can not let him get both hands on the breastplate unless you want to be on the ground. When Deandre gets going, it’s fun to watch.   Other players on the radar: [player_tooltip player_id="139450" first="Logan" last="Lester"]: WR: 2023 K’Vion Thunderbird: LB: 2023 Diego Oliver: DB: 2022 Lucien "Lou" Henson: QB: 2022 Jamontae Harris: LB: 2022   <hr /> 2021 Fall Schedule 8/27-Lane Tech HS 9/3- Hillcrest HS 9/10- Hubbard HS 9/17- Perspectives Leadership Tech 10/2- Morgan Park HS 10/8- Curie HS 10/15- Simeon Career Academy   Games to Watch: The Broncos have a lot of great games this fall. That being said, I highlight some of their most important and competitive games being in October. Two games to attend would be against Morgan Park Mustangs (10/2) and Simeon Wolverines (10/15). These two teams are the only ones to beat Kenwood in the spring. They also make up the last 2 of 3 games for the season. Inner conference matchups always have the potential to be a playoff atmosphere-like game. With the combination of playoff seeding, spring losses, and multiple games already under their belts, these games will definitely feel like playoff games. <hr /> For more IHSA team previews, you can follow @prepredzone or prepredzoneIL! To have your team featured for a season preview, recruiting advice, or having players featured in future articles, please DM and follow @_D3BO