Michael O'Brien
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Chicago Sun-Times High School Sports Editor mobrien@suntimes.com
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Articles by Michael O'Brien
Michael O'Brien's Super 25 high school football rankings for Week 14
Stuff With record and last week’s ranking 1. Brother Rice (10-2) 3 Won 41-10 at Normal. Next: Hosts East St. Louis (7A). 2. Mount Carmel (10-2) 4 Won 21-16 at Lincoln-Way East. Next: Hosts No. 4 Oswego (8A.). 3. St. Ignatius (10-2) 9 Won 21-18 vs. Loyola. Next: At New Trier (8A). 4. Oswego (11-1) 8 Won 31-7 vs. Bolingbrook. Next: At No. 3 Mount Carmel (8A). 5. Hersey (12-0) 5 Won 33-14 at Lincoln-Way West. Next: Hosts No. 9 Downers Grove North (7A). 6. Lincoln-Way East (11-1) 1 Lost 21-16 vs. Mount Carmel.
Mount Carmel takes Lincoln-Way East's best shot and survives in Class 8A quarterfinal classic Original
Lincoln-Way East coach Rob Zvonar, along with fans and media across the state, spent the season surprised and impressed by the Griffins. Zvonar himself was the first to point out that his players weren’t gifted with incredible size, speed, or ability. But they stormed through the season undefeated, knocked off Brother Rice, and when four-time defending state champion Mount Carmel arrived in Frankfort on Saturday for a Class 8A quarterfinal, anything was possible.
New Trier's Throy Nightingale runs for 5 TDs, 309 yards in emotional state quarterfinal win against Huntley Original
New Trier’s football team learned that classmate Brock Beeler had died as they took the field to practice on Wednesday. “It is hard watching 17- and 18-year-olds find that news out,” Trevians coach Brian Doll said. “We just needed to be there for them. Football is football, but life is life. We needed to do something for our kids that day and support them. I canceled practice right when I found out.
Farrell football’s undefeated, Metro Bowl-winning 1986 team reunites for 40th anniversary of legendary season
Addressing former teammates, coaches and friends gathered at Canlon’s restaurant to celebrate Monsignor Farrell’s legendary 1986 season on the gridiron, then-Lions defensive lineman John Klumbach said there are two “tables” Farrell football alumni can sit at: with teams that won championships, or with everyone else. But, according to Klumbach, that 1986 team may not just have earned a place at the champions’ table — it may belong at the head of it.
Farrell survives upset bid from St. Anthony’s to claim spot in CHSFL AAA championship for second straight year
On a cold, rainy Friday night in Oakwood, Monsignor Farrell overcame the elements and a spirited St. Anthony’s comeback attempt to earn a 28-21 CHSFL AAA semifinal victory, as a touchdown connection between brothers Bryce and Braxton Moye with 35 seconds remaining sent the Lions back to the championship game for the second consecutive year. “When the ball’s in [Bryce’s] hands, you feel pretty good about your chances,” said Lions head coach Rocco Del Priore of his squad’s game-winning drive.
2026 IHSA state football quarterfinal playoff scores
Games listed in bracket order. (8) Mount Carmel at (1) Lincoln-Way East, Sat. 1 (5) Bolingbrook at (4) Oswego, Sat. 5 (7) New Trier at (2) Huntley, Fri. 7 (3) Loyola at (11) St. Ignatius, Sat. 2 (8) Brother Rice at (1) Normal, Sat. 5 (5) Prospect at (4) East St. Louis, Sat. 1 (2) Hersey at (23) Lincoln-Way West, Sat. 1 (3) Downers Grove North at (11) Richards, Sat. 1 (1) Harlem at (12) Notre Dame, Sat. 1 (7) Wheaton North vs. (6) Fenwick at Triton, Sat. 1 (9) Quincy at (20) Nazareth, Sat.
No AI [Chaosium] Chaosium Impromptu Con kicks off today and runs all weekend!
Games will be running the entire weekend from volunteer GMs. • Chaosium staff will stop by to host panels and/or workshops. What can I expect from Impromptu Con? Will you use a convention management software like TabletopEvents? Will there be a schedule of events? What timezone will this convention be held in? What are the server rules? How do I get the Impromptu Role? Why should I get it? How and when may I submit games? • The content must be Chaosium IP.
No AI [Chaosium] All Stars play Call of Cthulhu: 'The Hollow'
Call of Cthulhu Keeperleads an all star cast through an original scenario of her own creation, 'The Hollow'. With investigators, andWant to craft your own original story of Mythos Madness like 'The Hollow'? Check out
No AI [Chaosium] 'It’s an absolute work of art' - The Boy King is acclaimed as having some of the most gorgeous artwork that Chaosium has ever produced
Get your own copy of Pendragon: The Boy King The Boy King is available in three physical formats A recent review of the newly-releasedpraises the book asTTRPG Fanatics' review goes on to describeart asandand the concludes that the book isPraise for the breathtaking art ingoes these artists:Tyler JacobsonHannah Elizabeth Baker, Sam Carr, Andrey Fetisov, Ossi Hiekkala, Tyler Jacobson, Skye Liu, Warren Mahy, David Metzger, Jerome Morris, Joseph Qiu, Matthew Rodgers, Andy Shaw, Martyna...
From worst to first: This coach helped jumpstart local youth football team to unbeaten season
When Rosnel Dorsainvil, owner of local youth sports gym D1 Training and a multi-time city championship-winning defensive coach at Erasmus Hall for more than 20 years, approached the Staten Island Boys Football League about sponsorship opportunities, the last thing he expected was to return to coaching — let alone with 10- and 11-year-olds.
No AI [Chaosium] Old Norse specialist Dr Jackson Crawford interviews Pedro Ziviani, author of the Age of Vikings TTRPG
Adventure Awaits - Get your copy of Age of Vikings Today! Old Norse language and mythology specialist Dr Jackson Crawford hosted Pedro Ziviani, author of theTTRPG, on his popular YouTube channel for a fascinating chat about the game.
Staten Island CHSAA boys’ soccer playoffs: STP, Sea both win A Division semis, setting up all-Island championship rematch
St. Peter’s will officially earn a chance at redemption in the CHSAA A title game after falling just short last year, as the Eagles punched their ticket to the championship on Wednesday afternoon by taking down visiting Cardinal Hayes, 3-1, in the semifinals in New Brighton. “Anytime you make it to a final, there’s a lot of hard work that goes into it. It starts from Aug. 1, and this is what we wanted all year,” St. Peter’s co-head coach Stephen Caifa said after the game.
Signing Day: Jamier Montgomery's rise from sitting out freshman year to a Kent State scholarship Original
Freshman year, Jamier Montgomery was an ineligible player on a Public League White Division basketball team. He spent this summer playing for an independent club basketball team outside of the two major circuits. It is not an easy road from there to a Division I basketball scholarship, especially in today’s college basketball landscape. But Wednesday at Crane, Montgomery and his family officially pulled off the feat when he signed with Kent State.
2026 Chicago Elite Classic lineup revealed
St. Laurence may have the most interesting basketball schedule in the area, traveling to Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic and playing in most of the major local shootouts. But senior guard Markese Peoples didn’t hesitate for an instant when asked which event he was most looking forward to. “The Chicago Elite Classic for sure,” Peoples said. “I have that circled on my schedule.
Morgan Park students walk out of school in support of fired football coach Chris James Original
A couple hundred Morgan Park students walked out of class on Tuesday to protest the school’s firing of football coach Chris James. Parents and family members held an impromptu press conference detailing their frustrations with the decision. “We just stand with Chris,” said Chris Mathews, the uncle of football player Travezz Jones. “We don’t know the ins and outs of it. Even if Chris were to go to another school for another opportunity, he deserves that grace.
First day of practice: Is a new basketball powerhouse under construction at St. Laurence?
St. Laurence’s campus has been under construction for a few years now, and a field house is currently going up next to the parking lot. That’s rare for a private school, and a sign things are on the rise in Burbank.
Morgan Park fires football coach Chris James Original
Morgan Park fired football coach Chris James on Monday. According to James, a Morgan Park alum widely regarded as the Public League’s best coach, he was fired after refusing to decide whether to return next season. “I wanted to finish this season before making any decisions,” James told the Sun-Times. “I have not taken any job or had any formal interviews with anyone. So I hadn’t given them an answer yet. We had two meetings to talk about it.
Staten Island native records first sack of season for Power 5 CFB program
The Nebraska Cornhuskers may have suffered a tough 24-13 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini on Friday, dropping to 5-4 on the season, but despite the defeat, Staten Island native Cameron Lenhardt had personal reason to celebrate, as the defensive lineman recorded his first sack of the 2026 season.
No AI 'This book is not something to be hidden away on a shelf' — Mike Mason on the new Encyclopedia Cthulhiana
Mike Mason's Foreword for the new fourth edition of Dan Harms' Encyclopedia Cthulhiana Get your copy of The Encyclopedia Cthulhiana Today! In tabletop games of, players take on the role of investigators of arcane lore. They haunt bookshops and libraries, searching for secrets and clues that will guide them to unforeseen and amazing discoveries.
No AI [Chaosium] Late Pledges are Live for Time Without Tide!
Your Next RPG Adventure Awaits: Late Pledges are Live for Time Without Tide! The Late Pledge is now open! Claim your copy and start your adventure! Pre-order Time Without Tide: Mirth & Misery in a World of Fog on BackerKit A TTRPG of exploration and adventure in a fog-shrouded faux-Victorian apocalypse. You are a Delver. Hold your lantern high and venture into the unknown. Fight horrors, discover marvels, and protect the odd survivors of the fallen moon.
Michael O'Brien's Super 25 high school football rankings for Week 13
Joy filled Morris on Saturday night: fireworks, horns, and more. The town’s beloved Warriors had knocked off Montini, a private school powerhouse, in the Class 4A playoffs. A similar scene likely played out at Downers Grove North, where the Trojans beat Catholic League power St. Rita in a 7A playoff showdown. Lincoln-Way West knocked off St. Laurence in another 7A matchup.
Tottenville soccer’s city title repeat bid falls just short in penalty shootout heartbreaker vs. Beacon
If penalty shootouts are a toss-up, Tottenville’s girls’ varsity soccer team was on the wrong side of the coin against Beacon on Saturday night, as the Pirates’ bid for back-to-back city championships fell just short in a 3-2 defeat to the No. 2-seeded Blue Demons in the PSAL 3A title game. “I’m extremely proud of them. I thought they showed a lot of grit and determination throughout the game,” said Tottenville head coach Katelyn Murphy-Tackach afterward.
Marion Persich runs for 183 yards as Morris dominates Montini in long-awaited 4A playoff showdown Original
High school football is Morris’s pride and joy. The Warriors are undefeated this season, led by bruising, physical quarterback Marion Persich. The team, and the entire football-crazed town, have spent a year preparing for another crack at Montini. The Broncos, led by Israel Abrams, knocked Morris out of the Class 4A playoffs last year. “I’ll be honest, the second we started lifting in the offseason, daily, we started talking about these guys,” Warriors coach Alan Thorson said.
Adam Zarrilli wins individual gold, MSIT boys and Susan Wagner girls claim team silvers at PSAL XC City Champs
Staten Island’s public high school cross country runners closed out their local seasons Saturday at Van Cortlandt Park’s PSAL City Championships, highlighted by MSIT’s Adam Zarrilli’s individual victory and runner-up team finishes by the Seagull boys and Susan Wagner girls. “Adam crushed it today,” said MSIT head coach Scott Crabbe of his senior standout, who crossed the line in first place with a blazing time of 16:18.5 over 5K. “I’m super happy for him.
How the Super 25 high school football teams fared in the second round of the IHSA playoffs Original
A look at how the Super 25 teams fared in this weekend’s IHSA state playoffs. 1. Lincoln-Way East (10-0): Saturday vs. Hinsdale Central. 2. Loyola (9-1): Saturday vs. No. 22 York. 3. Brother Rice (8-2): Saturday vs. No. 11 Batavia. 4. Mount Carmel (9-2): Won 56-0 vs. Barrington. 5. Hersey (10-0): Saturday vs. Glenbard West. 6. IC Catholic (9-1): Saturday vs. Johnsburg. 7. Bolingbrook (9-1): Saturday vs. No. 24 Lyons. 8. Maine South (9-1): Saturday vs. No. 13 St. Ignatius. 9. Oswego (10-1): Won 21-19 vs. Naperville North.
New Trier keeps the party rolling, beats Homewood-Flossmoor to advance to the 8A quarters Original
There’s a unique energy on the New Trier football sideline this season. The Trevians are having fun. That’s probably what high school football should be about, but for many high-level programs—especially this late in the playoffs—every moment feels like it carries life-or-death stakes, and the pressure can be tremendous. “That is not what it is like here,” Trevians linebacker Declan O’Meara said. “If you make a mistake, someone has your back, and if you make a good play, everyone goes crazy.
Legendary Susan Wagner coach honored with recognition ahead of spring field dedication (photos)
Susan Wagner’s varsity football team may have fallen to South Shore in its Homecoming and Senior Night matchup Friday evening, but the Falcons had a reason to celebrate off the field, as the entire school community had the opportunity to recognize a legend.
Susan Wagner varsity football upset by South Shore in defensive struggle (photos)
Visiting South Shore, which entered Friday’s PSAL 4A football matchup against Susan Wagner with a 2-4 record, spoiled the Falcons’ Homecoming and Senior Night, leaving Staten Island with an 8-6 victory in a defensive struggle. Despite a strong effort from Wagner’s defense, special-teams miscues proved costly. Bad snaps on punts in the second and fourth quarters led to a South Shore touchdown and a safety, respectively, accounting for the difference in the Vikings’ victory.
These are Tottenville’s 3 keys to victory in its upcoming girls’ soccer city championship clash vs. Beacon
Tottenville’s girls’ varsity soccer team is one win away from back-to-back city titles, and the Pirates have taken a wild road to get here. After opening the playoffs with a 10-0 drubbing of Murrow, the 3A Island Division champions faced their first real test in the quarterfinals, producing a surprising halftime draw against LaGuardia before pulling away for a 6-2 victory. But that challenge was nothing compared to the adversity they faced in their semifinal win over John Jay.
2026 IHSA state football second-round playoff scores
Games listed in bracket order. (17) Hinsdale Central at (1) Lincoln-Way East, Sat. noon (24) Barrington at (8) Mount Carmel, Fri. 7 (13) Naperville North at (4) Oswego, Fri. 6 (21) Lyons at (5) Bolingbrook, Sat. 7 (18) Lane at (2) Huntley, Fri. 7 (10) Homewood-Flossmoor at (7) New Trier, Fri. 7 (19) York at (3) Loyola, Sat. 3 (11) St. Ignatius at (6) Maine South, Sat. 2 (16) Kenwood at (1) Normal, Sat. 4:30 (9) Batavia at (8) Brother Rice, Sat. 4 (20) St. Patrick at (4) East St. Louis, Fri.
No AI [Table Tales] In Praise of Game Conventions
As I've said in Table Tales before, I love a games convention . I wouldn’t be writing this now if I had not discovered them.My first con was Phantastacon 82 in Melbourne*, where I volunteered to be a DM for the major AD&D tournament. In those days tournaments were entirely about killer puzzles, careful spell use, and smart tactics; only the best teams survived.
No AI [Chaosium] Watch as we sweep away the sands to reveal the horrors of The Necropolis...
'The Necropolis' in Gateways to Terror is a fantastic intro scenario for Call of Cthulhu, and here in this game recorded at Scryglass Studio we show a way to make it even more fun — because the player characters are archeologists exploring an Egyptian tomb, the map gets slowly revealed by brushing the sand away...Join two Call of Cthulhu first timers (and) and two seasoned investigators (and) as they risk life and sanity braving the depths of a (real!) sandy crypt.
Staten Island CHSAA boys’ soccer playoffs: Sea, St. Peter’s both onto A semis after quarterfinal triumphs
St. Joseph by-the-Sea, the defending CHSAA A Archdiocesan boys’ varsity soccer champions, opened their title defense in emphatic fashion Wednesday evening, thumping visiting Christ the King, 9-0. “We’re hitting our stride,” Sea head coach Sandy Rapaglia said. “I tell them all the time that we’re trying to get better game by game. The last three games, we’ve played very well, and today it all came together.
4 ejections, late comeback: Tottenville girls’ soccer reaches PSAL 3A final in chaotic win over John Jay
Tottenville rallied late to defeat John Jay and return to the PSAL 3A girls’ soccer final on Wednesday, but the defending city champions will likely be short three players, including a starter, after a chaotic semifinal on Wednesday in which four total players were ejected. Late in the first half, Pirate starting center back Sofia Trapani committed a foul in the box to deny John Jay a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
No AI [Chaosium] Out Now: The Apple Lane Campaign for RuneQuest
Your First Adventures In The Mythic World of Glorantha! Get your copy of The Apple Lane Campaign Today! Out now!is designed for new players and gamemasters, and presents a thrilling beginner campaign set in the aftermath of the war between the free peoples of Sartar and the dreaded Lunar Empire.Much of the content of this book was first published as part of the 124-page adventure book in the now out-of-printpresents the content of that book with all new art, updated layout, and quality of...
Bolingbrook's Brady Pettigrew emerges as a national star, weighs college options
Brady Pettigrew’s social media accounts are full of famous and familiar basketball faces. Duke coach Jon Scheyer, local legend Derrick Rose and Arkansas coach John Calipari all recently visited Pettigrew in Bolingbrook’s gym. There are clips of Pettigrew playing against current NBA player Paolo Banchero and photographs of a recent official visit to North Carolina. Over the offseason, Pettigrew emerged as a consensus five-star recruit and a top 10 player in the national class of 2028.
No AI [Chaosium] Chaosium coming to Tabletop ME in Dubai this weekend (Nov 6-8 2026)
Chaosium is returning to Tabletop ME in Dubai this weekend.
No AI Chaosium Con New Zealand is just a few weeks away!
ChaosiumCon New Zealand is just a few weeks away!Want to run a game? Submit your session now: https://buff.ly/4Mwu5gB It's not too late to get your badge! Secure yours today: https://buff.ly/cRo5xkQ
New IHSA bylaw proposals would put public and private schools in separate state tournaments Original
Until now, the dispute between public and private schools over competitive balance played out in press conferences and postgame interviews. Mount Carmel football coach Jordan Lynch and Batavia football coach Dennis Piron both regularly offered juicy quotes that presented their sides of the issue. The time for empty talk has passed.
14 city titles, 64 All-Americans: Staten Island coach earns Hall of Fame nod at NYC’s storied track arena
Few Staten Island high school coaches can match the level of success John Padula has achieved. Since taking over Susan Wagner’s cross country and track and field programs in 2013, Padula has led the Falcons to 13 Staten Island titles, 14 city championships, and has developed 64 All-Americans. Now, Padula is set to receive a major honor: induction into the Hall of Fame at New York City’s mecca of indoor track and field, the Armory.
Staten Island PSAL girls’ soccer playoffs: Tottenville passes quarterfinal test from LaGuardia behind Hidric’s six goals
In the wake of a perfect regular season and a 10-0 second-round drubbing of Murrow, the Tottenville Pirates’ girls’ varsity soccer team received a bit of a wake-up call Monday afternoon in the first half of their PSAL 3A quarterfinal matchup against LaGuardia.
Farrell’s Alleva, Sea’s Collegio claim individual silvers at CHSAA XC Sectionals
Monsignor Farrell’s Edwin Alleva and St. Joseph by-the-Sea’s Giuliana Collegio each took second place at Saturday’s CHSAA Sectional Championships. It was the second straight big meet in which both finished in the top three; Alleva won and Collegio placed second at the Staten Island Championships in October The Lions also led all Island teams with a second-place finish overall in the boys’ varsity race (88 points), while Sea placed sixth to lead all borough girls’ teams.
Sun-Times expands Super 25: Every high school in Illinois eligible for football, basketball rankings
The actual, physical newspaper was a vital part of my life for as long as I can remember. Chicago newspapers arrived in the morning, and the Joliet Herald-News arrived in the afternoon. My mother read them every morning, and I followed suit as soon as I could. My first newspaper-related goal was to become the neighborhood paper boy. As with everything in the newspaper industry, getting that job was not straightforward. It required several years of buddying up to the older kid who held the gig.
Michael O'Brien's Super 25 high school football rankings for Week 12
Several of the state’s best teams welcomed back star players from injury this week, but the biggest injury news is the return of Oswego running back Ammar Banire. Banire was the breakout star of last season’s Class 8A playoffs, leading the Panthers to the state championship game with a quarterfinal win against Maine South and a semifinal victory over Lockport. Since then, the 6-2, 190-pound junior has received scholarship offers from Oklahoma State and several Big Ten schools.
Broden Mackert's 241 rushing yards spark Providence to a comeback win against Kankakee in 5A playoff showdown Original
When the Illinois High School Association released the state playoff brackets, one likely first-round matchup caught everyone’s eye: Providence at Kankakee. Possibly the two best teams in Class 5A would meet incredibly early in the playoffs. The Kays picked up a forfeit loss for using an ineligible player against Lincoln-Way West, so their two-loss record was deceiving. But Kankakee entered as hosts and one of the area’s hottest teams.
Curtis varsity football falls to Erasmus Hall in meeting between PSAL 4A powers
The Dutchmen have haunted Staten Island football once again this season. Following a victory over Tottenville earlier this month, Erasmus Hall, the defending PSAL 4A city champions, defeated Curtis, 21-7, on Halloween Saturday in Brooklyn, dropping the Warriors to 4-2 in PSAL play this fall. The story of the contest was Erasmus’ dominant fourth-quarter performance.
No AI [Chaosium] Chaosium to release Folklorists, a new roleplaying game in mid-2027
Today at Chaosium Con EU in Gdańsk, Poland, renowned game publisher Chaosium announced the forthcoming release of a new tabletop roleplaying game themed about investigators in the 1860s discovering the dark truths behind folk tales and myths.was written by Ennie-winning game designer Pedro Ziviani, illustrated by Martyna Starczewska, edited by Steffie de Vaan, and layout done by Adam Szelążek.
Little-known Goode entertains the state in 88-84 playoff loss to Quincy played at two different fields Original
Goode is one of the newer high schools in Chicago. It opened in 2012 and started up a football program in 2014. Few people have even heard of the school. Until Friday. Goode played an astounding Class 6A state playoff game against visiting Quincy. The Knights lost 88-84 in a game that started at 3 p.m., lasted four hours, set multiple state records, and had to be moved to a second high school when darkness set in. Goode’s field does not have lights. “Survive and advance.
How the Super 25 high school football teams fared in Week 11
A look at how the Super 25 fared in Week 11. 1. Lincoln-Way East (10-0): Won 31-7 vs. Oak Park. 2. Loyola (9-1): Won 41-0 vs. Minooka. 3. Brother Rice (8-2): Saturday vs. St. Charles North. 4. Mount Carmel (8-2): Won 55-21 vs. Marist. 5. Hersey (10-0): Won 49-7 vs. Yorkville. 6. IC Catholic (9-1): Won 42-0 vs. Genoa-Kingston. 7. Bolingbrook (9-1): Won 38-14 vs. Lockport. 8. Maine South (8-1): Saturday vs. O’Fallon. 9. Oswego (9-1): Won 27-6 vs. Naperville Central. 10. Geneva (8-1): Saturday vs. Carmel. 11.
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