Week 4 Player Spotlights: Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 4 brings another strong slate of games across Illinois, with several matchups featuring some of the top programs in the state. These games also provide a great opportunity to get another look at players who have started the season strong or could see their recruitment continue to grow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some player spotlights from Friday night's top matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brother Rice vs. Loyola Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1567137' first='Sam' last='Holcomb'] – Brother Rice – QB</strong><br>The freshman quarterback has made an immediate impact for Brother Rice while splitting time at the position. Holcomb has already accounted for 437 total yards and nine touchdowns through the early part of the season. Facing an unbeaten Loyola team will be his biggest test yet and a great opportunity to see how the young quarterback responds in a big-game environment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1621319' first='Brock' last='Thompson'] – Loyola Academy – OL</strong><br>Thompson is a 6-foot-4, 295-pound junior interior offensive lineman with an intriguing combination of size and youth. With Brother Rice bringing plenty of talent up front defensively, this should provide some quality evaluation reps for Thompson in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575273' first='Hunter' last='Wahtola'] – Loyola Academy – DL</strong><br>The 6-foot-3, 250-pound senior gives Loyola another physical presence along its defensive front. Brother Rice has multiple ways to attack offensively, making Wahtola an important player to watch as Loyola looks to control the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Marist vs. Mount Carmel</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jake Fleming – Marist – QB</strong><br>The junior quarterback has already shown some impressive flashes in his first season as the varsity starter. Fleming opened the year by completing 12 of 17 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns against Simeon. Mount Carmel will present a much different challenge and should provide a good look at Fleming against one of the state's most talented defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conor Fleming – Marist – WR</strong><br>The sophomore receiver has quickly developed a connection with his older brother. Fleming caught five passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns in his varsity debut and gives Marist an intriguing young target on the perimeter. He'll get an excellent test against the Caravan secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2325151' first='Emmanuel' last='McMoore'] – Mount Carmel – DL</strong><br>It is easy for some players to get overlooked on a Mount Carmel roster loaded with established recruits. McMoore is a 6-foot-4, 255-pound junior defensive lineman who brings another impressive frame to the Caravan front. This is a player worth continuing to track as the season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Glenbard West vs. Downers Grove North</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aidan Strothoff – Glenbard West – ATH</strong><br>Strothoff has been one of Glenbard West's most productive offensive players early in the season, averaging 118 rushing yards per game. Downers Grove North has been excellent defensively, making this a good opportunity to see what Strothoff can create against a physical defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1748003' first='Brady' last='Johnson'] – Glenbard West – TE/DL</strong><br>At 6-foot-3 and around 220 pounds, Johnson brings size and two-way versatility. He has also been Glenbard West's leading receiving threat early in the year. In a matchup that should feature plenty of physical football, Johnson is a player worth keeping an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140330' first='Connor' last='Crowley'] – Downers Grove North – DB</strong><br>Crowley is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound junior defensive back for a Downers Grove North defense that has been outstanding to begin the season. He brings good size to the secondary and gets an opportunity to show his ability against Glenbard West's physical offensive attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Geneva vs. Wheaton Warrenville South</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nelson Wendell – Geneva – RB/LB</strong><br>Wendell gives Geneva a versatile senior who can make an impact on both sides of the football. With so much attention naturally going toward Geneva's passing attack, Wendell is another player who can make a difference and gives the Vikings some balance offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AJ Rogers – Wheaton Warrenville South – QB</strong><br>The 6-foot-3 junior quarterback is an intriguing player to follow. Rogers has the frame and arm talent to continue developing into a name to know in the 2028 class. Against a Geneva offense capable of scoring quickly, he could be asked to make plenty of plays through the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Johnny Gillen – Wheaton Warrenville South – TE</strong><br>Gillen is one of the more physically intriguing players in this matchup. At 6-foot-7, the junior gives WWS a massive target at tight end. His size immediately stands out, and this matchup provides another opportunity to see how he continues to develop as a pass catcher and blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">O'Fallon vs. East St. Louis</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jackson Parker – O'Fallon – RB/LB</strong><br>Parker is only a sophomore but has already found a role in the O'Fallon offense. The 6-foot, 180-pound two-way player leads the Panthers in rushing among the available early-season statistics. There may not be a better measuring-stick game for a young player than a trip to East St. Louis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1727693' first='Gunner' last='Hoffman'] – O'Fallon – QB</strong><br>Hoffman enters the matchup averaging 207 passing yards per game. East St. Louis will put pressure on him both physically and mentally, and his ability to distribute the football while limiting mistakes will be important if O'Fallon is going to move the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140176' first='Jerry' last='Richmond'] – East St. Louis – OL</strong><br>On a roster filled with nationally known skill players, Richmond is an intriguing name in the trenches. The junior interior offensive lineman checks in around 6-foot-4, 317 pounds and gives the Flyers another massive young body up front. He is a 2028 prospect worth tracking as he continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Carmel Catholic vs. Providence Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1087387' first='Wyatt' last='VanBoening'] – Carmel Catholic – OL</strong><br>VanBoening immediately jumps off the roster at 6-foot-7, 280 pounds. The junior offensive tackle has excellent size for a 2028 prospect and gets a valuable opportunity against an unbeaten Providence team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1688538' first='Jameer' last='Miles'] – Carmel Catholic – LB</strong><br>Miles is another intriguing junior for Carmel. At 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, he has the length and frame to continue developing physically. Providence's offense should provide plenty of opportunities to evaluate him against quality competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992492' first='Dominic' last='Vita'] – Providence Catholic – QB</strong><br>The junior quarterback has helped Providence get off to a strong start this season. Vita is another 2028 prospect worth following as he continues to gain experience leading one of the state's top Class 5A programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->