Week 1 Matchups to Watch: Kenwood vs Lincoln-Way East

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tonight is the official Kickoff for the 2023 IHSA Season. With a weekend packed with some phenomenal matchups across the Land of Lincoln, this contest on Saturday may be the best of them all. The Kenwood Broncos face off against the Lincoln-Way East Griffins tomorrow at Gately Stadium. Both programs boast multiple Division I prospects as well as team hopes for a state title. This game has potential to be the game of the year, and it's only Week 1. Here are 6 players that are sure to make the biggest impact in this matchup of two Illinois powerhouses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Kenwood</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Broncos raced to an 8-4 record last season before eventually falling to Lemont in the 3rd round of the playoffs. The good news for Kenwood, they return a lot of starters from a talented junior class, including two of the nation's top prospects. Heading into Week 1, the following three players are sure to light it up on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["354314"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Lightfoot is one of the top defensive ends in the country for the Class of 2024. The 6'4, 225 lbs edge rusher gave his commitment to the University of Miami earlier this month. Lightfoot earned All-State honors after having a record-setting junior campaign. He posted 122 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. Lightfoot has all the tools elite edge rushers possess, including length, bend, physicality, quick hands and feet, and a high motor. He is a high effort player who refuses to stop until he finds the quarterback. Before he heads off to Coral Gables, Lightfoot is sure to wreak havoc on every quarterback he faces in his senior season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["160490"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Stewart is another top player in the country for the Kenwood Broncos. He transferred from Bolingbrook, where he posted 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns. The 6'1, 180 lbs wide out is heading off to the University of Michigan following his senior year. Before he leaves for Ann Arbor, Stewart is ready to put up video game numbers for his new school. Stewart showcases elite speed, polished route running, phenomenal hands, and shiftiness in the open field. Long story short, he is nearly impossible to guard and is sure to begin his senior year with a bang in tomorrow's contest.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["891207"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Grant, another Division I prospect for the Broncos, is a two-way player who makes a massive impact on both sides of the ball. At running back, Grant ran for 547 yards and 6 touchdowns on 64 carries. He has fantastic speed and vision that allow him to find creases in the defense and take it to the house. Defensively, Grant tallied 64 tackles and 3 forced fumbles. He is physical outside linebacker who is equally as good in the run game as he is the pass game. Grant is as surehanded a tackler as one will find, showing off his ability to make open field tackles on a multitude of plays. Grant stock is soaring heading into his senior year.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e95e2276bce"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Lincoln-Way East</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Griffins earned an undefeated regular season last year and rolled throughout the playoffs before losing to Loyola in the 8A state championship. Their standard for a state title will not change heading into this season, as LWE returns a ton of talent from last year's team. Starting with the three following players, their quest for another state title begins on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["161312"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Offensive linemen don't often get the same credit and praise that skill positions receive. We'll make an exception for Janowski. The University of Iowa commit measures in at 6'3, 275 lbs. He plays with a nastiness that is nearly jaw-dropping, as the senior center can run over anything in his path. Janowski handles one-on-one blocks with ease, delivering a perfect snap, firing off the ball, and running defensive linemen backwards. He is incredibly athletic, as he can combo and work to the second level to put linebackers on the ground. While the center position may not be as fun to watch as some other spots on the field, be sure to keep an eye out for Janowski anchoring the Griffins' offensive line on Saturday.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["161316"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Tischer is returning for his second season as the starter at quarterback for Lincoln-Way East. The 5'11, 170 dual threat signal caller is ready to lead the Griffins back to a state title. A year ago, Tischer accounted for nearly 2,700 total yards and 25 total touchdowns. In the pass game, Tischer threw for 24 TD's and 2,192 yards with a 68% completion percentage. He possesses a strong arm that can pushes the ball down the field vertically. Tischer has phenomenal accuracy on deep balls, intermediate throws, and when throwing on the run. Speaking of the run, Tischer is pretty good at that too, showcasing his quickness in the open field and plus speed. He will make an impact in both the run and pass game on Saturday, as that should be a theme throughout the season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["832141"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"O'Rourke is a Class of 2025 defensive lineman who burst onto the scene in his sophomore season. The varsity standout is beginning to see the offers roll in, picking up Illinois, Northwestern, and Iowa in the offseason. The 6'5, 215 end is long, athletic, and physical. He has a quick first step and plays with a low pad level that allows him to beat blocks in a variety of ways. He plays tight to the line of scrimmage, meaning he can spill pullers and shed blocks to earn tackles for loss in the run game. He gets strong extension in both the run and pass game, allowing him to throw offensive linemen off of him and purse the running back or quarterback. Plain and simple, O'Rourke is a game wreaker who is going to kick his junior year off with a bang on Saturday.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e95e2276cb4"} /-->