Much of the preseason was focused on the area’s star quarterbacks. Montini’s Israel Abrams and Jake Nawrot of Hersey are ranked in the top five in the nation by 247Sports.com, and there are four more Power Four committed quarterbacks in the area: Batavia’s Michael Vander Luitgaren (Wyoming), Maine South’s Jameson Purcell (Indiana) and Jackie Ryder of New Trier (Purdue).
A new star emerged in Week 1. Brother Rice freshman Sam Holcomb, who is splitting time with senior Rocco Galasso at quarterback, wowed observers in the Crusaders’ loss at Lincoln-Way East.
Holcomb, 6-1, already holds a scholarship offer from Michigan. He was 11 of 15 for 109 yards with one TD and no interceptions against the Griffins and was a major threat on the ground with six carries for 59 yards and 2 TDs.
It is rare for a freshman quarterback to start at any school, but especially in the highly competitive Catholic League Blue.
Jonas Williams, now at USC, started as a freshman at Bolingbrook. And Logan Malachuk took over the starting job for Nazareth as a freshman in 2021. But even Trae Taylor, now considered the top senior quarterback in the country, wasn’t a starter at Carmel his first year.
Holcomb’s debut wasn’t the only intriguing quarterback performance in Week 1. Here’s a look at six other notable performers on the opening weekend.
Myles Hill, Fenwick
Hill’s first pass in his first start was spectacular. The 6-0 junior connected with Jimmy Watts for an 84-yard TD. The defending Class 6A champs have a lot of new faces this season, but Hill’s quick start answered one question definitively. He completed 16 of 21 passes for 214 yards wand 3 TDs in the Friars’ win against Joliet Catholic.
Jake Fleming, Marist
The junior threw three touchdown passes against Simeon in his varsity debut. Two of the scores went to his brother Conor, a sophomore also making his debut. Fleming was 12 of 17 for 259 yards.
AJ Rogers, Wheaton-Warrenville South
The standout baseball and basketball player made his presence felt on the football field in his first varsity start. Rogers, a 6-3 junior, was 16 of 23 passing for 201 yards and 2 TDs and had nine carries for 47 yards in the Tigers’ win against Naperville Central. Wheaton-Warrenville South coach Sean Norris believes Rogers is one of the best junior quarterbacks in the state.
Marion Persich, Morris
Persich’s transfer from LaSalle-Peru to Morris was one of the major moves of the offseason. The 6-4 junior fit right in with the Warriors in Week 1, accounting for five touchdowns in a win against Lemont. Persich was 8 of 10 passing for 111 yards and 2 TDs and rushed for 176 yards and 3 TDs.
Gavin Gardiner, St. Patrick
The Shamrocks’ win against Rolling Meadows in Week 1 wasn’t Gardiner’s debut, and he isn’t a new young player to watch. But the senior has grown from 6-2 to 6-6 and may be poised for a breakout season. Gardiner threw for more than 2,000 yards last season and opened this year with 274 total yards. He threw for 3 TDs and ran for a score.
Nate Lang, IC Catholic
The senior was underrated heading into the season after throwing for 2,431 yards and 28 TDs with just 4 interceptions last season. Lang helped engineer a Week 1 upset of highly-regarded Nazareth, completing 19 of 25 passes for 252 yards and 3 TDs.