5A Quarterfinals Prospect Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend is a monster slate of games as the IHSA state quarterfinals will be taking place.&nbsp; We are looking at the biggest games of the weekend including here at all four 5A matchups!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 Wheaton St. Francis at #1 Sycamore</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is an intriguing matchup.&nbsp; Sycamore is led by Iowa commit [player_tooltip player_id='278895' first='Burke' last='Gautcher'] who is one of the best all-around athletes in the senior class.&nbsp; Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='358308' first='Carter' last='York'] will give him help out on the perimeter.&nbsp; Keep an eye on Sycamore 6'5” defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1335274' first='Aiden' last='Hager'].&nbsp; Wheaton St. Francis is completely stacked with a plethora of prospects.&nbsp; Illinois State wide receiver commit [player_tooltip player_id='278900' first='Ian' last='Willis'] is their senior leader.&nbsp; They are stacked with top ranked prospects in the junior class including [player_tooltip player_id='1399937' first='Gavin' last='Mueller'], [player_tooltip player_id='212322' first='Zachary' last='Washington'], [player_tooltip player_id='401596' first='Brady' last='Palmer'], [player_tooltip player_id='801979' first='Cooper' last='Paukstis'], [player_tooltip player_id='212315' first='Jalen' last='Carter'], [player_tooltip player_id='212321' first='Tanner' last='Glock'], and [player_tooltip player_id='401595' first='Brady' last='Hill'] who are all 7 are ranked in the top 53 2026s in Illinois.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 Nazareth Academy at #2 Rochelle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nazareth Academy is loaded as well with a great depth of ranked prospects.&nbsp; Their senior group is particularly impressive led by defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='278245' first='Gabe' last='Kaminski'] who is headed to Stanford next season and is the #7 overall senior in the state.&nbsp; Athlete James Penely, Indiana commit [player_tooltip player_id='162591' first='Garrett' last='Reese'], offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='831101' first='Sam' last='Stec'], and signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='118787' first='Logan' last='Malachuk'].&nbsp; Impact two way player [player_tooltip player_id='801877' first='Lesroy' last='Tittle'] is a game changer in the junior class as is Edward McClain.&nbsp; Lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1335278' first='Luke' last='Injaychock'] is among the top 10 sophomores in the state.&nbsp; Rochelle is led by defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='331521' first='Grant' last='Gensler'] who has nice size at 6'1” along with watch list seniors defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1292806' first='Ryan' last='Senne Jr'] and offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='331520' first='Kaiden' last='Morris'].&nbsp; Rochelle also has a young prospect to keep tabs on in 2027 running back [player_tooltip player_id='1189981' first='Dylan' last='Manning'].&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#13 Morris at #1 Morgan Park</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an impressive road win in round 2 Morgan Park comes back home to host an upset minded Morris squad.&nbsp; Morgan Park was super impressive in their win with their QB [player_tooltip player_id='201957' first='Marcus' last='Thaxton'] throwing to star wide out [player_tooltip player_id='801887' first='Nasir' last='Rankin'].&nbsp; They ran the ball super effectively including 4 scores from [player_tooltip player_id='1564066' first='Terrance' last='Gurley'] on the ground.&nbsp; On the defensive side the no fly defense is in full effect led by Washington State commit [player_tooltip player_id='213605' first='Jovan' last='Clark'], Wisconsin bound [player_tooltip player_id='830246' first='Jahmare' last='Washington'], and [player_tooltip player_id='830844' first='Ahmad' last='Grayer'].&nbsp; Pass catcher [player_tooltip player_id='1261800' first='Jack' last='Wheeler'] is a senior to track for Montini along with standout sophomore offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1344896' first='Brogan' last='Kjellesvik'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#6 Joliet Catholic at #2 Peoria</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is north vs south here as Joliet Catholic will travel with their run game to Peoria.&nbsp; Craig Peacock Jr, [player_tooltip player_id='401593' first='Anthony' last='Finnegan'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1292307' first='Keegan' last='Farnaus'] are ones to watch at the running back position.&nbsp; They have a pair of standout juniors as well in [player_tooltip player_id='401608' first='Ian' last='Campbell'] at defensive line as well as linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='401618' first='Kingston' last='Dunagan'].&nbsp; Peoria has a ton of sleeper prospects along with a star upfront in massive offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='212317' first='Jaquarius' last='Green'] who is one of the best offensive lineman in the junior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->