Young, Inexperienced Kits Set To Kick Off 2023 Campaign

Evanston’s football team accomplished something no Wildkit squad had done since 1999 last season.

Of course, a forfeit victory awarded to the Wildkits because Maine South used an out-of-district player wasn’t exactly a cause for wild celebration in the program when the violation was discovered last spring.

So officially, the Kits are coming off a 4-5 season and will return 8 starters from that squad. Featuring a brand-new offensive line, and with a new quarterback taking over in junior Colin Livatino, odds are the defense may have to step up to keep ETHS in contention in the first few weeks of the season, starting Friday night when they host Zion-Benton in the season opener at 7 p.m.

A young and inexperienced squad that includes 4 sophomores --- the highest number since head coach Mike Burzawa took over the program --- could benefit from a schedule that features a total of 6 home games. The Kits will play two foes ranked in the top 10 in the Chicago area --- Palatine and Maine South --- on the road on September 14th and October 20th, respectively.

Also new on the schedule is Deerfield, which is switching from the Central Suburban League North division to the South division.

The challenge in front of Burzawa and the rest of the ETHS staff is formidable. But there’s no dampening the enthusiasm of the veteran head coach.

“The defense has probably been ahead of the offense this summer. We want those guys to play fast and get to the ball,” said Burzawa. “The offense is growing. The defense is growing. We just have to improve every week. Overall, our chemistry has been very good. They’re doing everything we ask of them, and more, but it’s a process.

“I really love what this group has done so far (in summer and preseason workouts). I’m excited about the hard work they’ve put in, and the commitment they’ve shown. We started slow with them when it came to installing our packages because we wanted to crawl before we walk, and walk before we run. We just want to keep moving forward. Our job now as coaches is to make sure they reach their full potential.”

Evanston’s defense has the potential to be a good one. The defensive line, where assistant coach Eddie Conley will stick to his philosophy of rotating in plenty of big men, will feature seniors Destiny Ekwebelan (5-foot-11, 275 pounds), Jake Broy (6-1, 220), and Thomas Jackson (5-9, 210).

Sophomore DaeShaun Williams, the biggest player on the roster at 6-2 and 305, will try to make an impact once he gets used to the speed of varsity play.

At linebacker, veterans Ezequiel Delgado (6-0, 210), Will Needlman (6-0, 190), Revell Allen (5-9, 200) and Yohanness Jean-Francois (6-0, 215) will line up next to the player projected to be Evanston’s next star in sophomore Michael Pryor (5-10, 195). He wasn’t promoted to just fill a varsity roster spot. Pryor has been impressive in training camp on both sides of the ball and will be part of a backfield-by-committee approach on offense.

Burzawa expects the secondary to shine, led by returnees Jace Meeks (6-0, 180), Keron Pryor (5-9, 185) and Jacques Phillipe (6-0, 190). That unit should also get a boost from senior Brandon Rosemond (6-0, 175), who missed last season due to injury.

Also in the mix for playing time in the secondary are juniors Avan Teuer (5-8, 160) and Dallas Amos (5-11, 160).

Meeks helped solidify the secondary when he was moved up to the varsity early last fall as a sophomore, and Burzawa isn’t so old school as to be biased against promoting good young players to the varsity level.

Joining Williams, who certainly has the physical size to handle older players, and Pryor are classmates kicker Jasper Barney (5-10, 160) whose older brother Ben previously kicked at ETHS, and Ian Sims (5-10, 250) who will start at guard on offense.

“We knew we lost a ton of starters from last year, and we knew these sophomores could help us,” said Burzawa. “They’ve earned it (promotions) with the contributions they all made this summer. Playing time is never guaranteed in our program --- but the best players will play on the varsity level. We have freshmen up at the sophomore level, too.

“The bottom line? You have to earn everything.”

Livatino, a 5-11, 180-pound junior, takes over the key quarterback slot backed up by another junior, Daryl Harmon (6-0, 225). Livatino led the junior varsity squad to a 1-8 won-loss record in 2022 but had virtually no running game to complement his passing at that level. And Meeks, his top receiver, moved up to the varsity in Week 2.

“Colin has really embraced that position at a young age,” praised Burzawa. “He’s 100 percent committed. He eats, sleeps and drinks football. His decision making and his (passing) accuracy are the first things that come to my mind when I think about his game. I’ve also been really impressed with his mobility, and his ability to extend plays.

“He has a very strong arm --- he can make those 2nd level and 3rd level throws --- and we feel like we have some weapons around him, too.”

Senior Emmett Robinson (6-0, 180) heads the receiving corps even though he only had 5 receptions for 34 yards last season. Others to watch in the passing game are potential targets Isaac Israelite (6-4, 205), Caleb Watson (5-10, 165), Keron Pyror, (Sam Shure (6-1, 190), Tommy Alloco (5-10, 160) and Cajmere Lemond (5-11, 165).

In the backfield, Demarion Timberlake (6-0, 185) is back after carrying 109 times for 503 yards and 5 touchdowns as a junior. He surpassed 100 yards in a win over Glenbrook North, but has been slowed by an injury in training camp and might not be available for full-time duty until Week 2 against Lincoln-Way Central.

Sharing the carries for ETHS will be Pryor, who has punished his own teammates with a physical running style in practice, and junior Ryan Wambo (5-11, 190). Also in the mix are junior Enijel Shelton (5-8, 180) and senior Henry Parris (5-9, 170).

Up front, Declan Boutross (6-3, 300) is the only returning starter and he’ll shift from center to tackle this season. Will Gatchell (6-3, 230), Sims, junior Owen McElhatton (6-2, 215) and junior Christian Fargo (6-0, 245) round out that untested unit.

Gatchell’s progress in the summer and fall at right tackle might earn him some votes for “Most Improved Player” among the ETHS staff, and he could be on track for an all-conference type season based on his performance in the off-season.