Things don’t always go according to that preseason plan. Luckily for Downers Grove North, its trio of Big Ten-bound stars has one more season of high school football left to play.
The Trojans rolled to the Class 7A state championship game in 2023 and lost to Mount Carmel. They had hopes of returning to the title game last year, but Batavia eliminated them in the quarterfinals.
“We got kicked in the mouth a little bit in the playoffs,” quarterback Owen Lansu said. “It was kind of a reality check for us.”
The bitter, early ending to the playoffs refocused Downers Grove North in the off season. The Trojans are ranked No. 5 in the preseason Super 25.
“We shifted our approach and really just honed in on leadership and having a multitude of leaders with everyone speaking up and taking ownership of the loss last season and our future as a team together,” Lansu said.
Lansu, a senior, has committed to Minnesota. Lineman Aiden Solecki (Purdue) and tight end/defensive end Will Vala (Illinois) are the two other Big Ten recruits. The Trojans have eight total starters back on offense and appear primed for a dream season. This is Lansu’s third year as starting quarterback.
“The kids are working hard, and it is fun to see,” Downers Grove North coach Joe Horeni said. “Two years ago we had six sophomores starting on offense. It’s nice to see them mature and have one more run at this thing.”
Lansu stresses that the team is, of course, taking things one game at a time and focused on Week 1 against Morgan Park. But he didn’t mince words about the season goal: “The expectation we set for ourselves is to win the state championship game.”
Seniors Anthony Bertachi and Omar Duran return on the offensive line with junior Tyler Engstler. Senior wide receivers Oliver Thulin and Max Troha are also back.
Lansu expects to run the ball more this season.
“Last off season I focused on speed and getting ready to carry the ball, but then I dealt with some injuries,” Lansu said. “That was tough. This offseason has been rehabilitating and getting back to where I want to be. So I’ve been carrying the ball a lot during summer camp and I plan to do it during the season as well.”
Linebacker Joe LaSota and defensive back Caden Chiarelli join Solecki, Thulin and Vala as returning starters on the defense. Junior Elijah Lewis, a defensive lineman, has impressed Solecki.
“He’s an underdog and he has a motor,” Solecki said. “I watched his sophomore film and he was the best player on the field. Every play he was firing out. He’s going to have a really good year on the opposite side of me.”
Some of the area’s top public school teams may not face proper challenges during the regular season. That isn’t a problem for Downers Grove North, which plays in the mighty West Suburban Silver. The Trojans, York and Glenbard West are all ranked and Lyons and Hinsdale Central are just outside the preseason Super 25.
“Every year I’ve been here we have benefitted from being in the Silver,” Horeni said. “It’s a historic conference. It’s been good for a very long time. Different teams kind of trade places at the top. It pushes us every week.”
@michaelsobriensports Last year’s playoff loss to Batavia was a reality check for Downers Grove North and Owen Lansu. The Trojans are No. 5 in the preseason Super 25 rankings. #ihsa #football #downersgrove #downersgrovenorth ♬ original sound – michaelsobriensports