CONFERENCE: Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference Green
HEAD COACH: Martin Hopkins
Record 2023: 8-5 (lost in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs; won in the Prep Bowl)
OUTLOOK: While 2023 didn’t look like much for the Mustangs team, which lost in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs, they played hard in the Catholic League playoffs and won the Prep Bowl.
But for a program that reached the IHSA 5A state championship game in 2019, the Class 7A title game in 2021 and advanced to the Class 7A semifinals in 2022, it was a disappointing season.
One player to watch this year is senior running back Nick Herman. He was a backup last year, but in a backup start for the injured DJ Stewart, he ran for 152 yards and had a 55-yard kickoff return in a 20-9 win over St. Laurence, a team that went on to finish second in Class 4A.
Junior quarterback Steve Armbruster also got some playing time as a sophomore when starter Jett Hilding was injured.
“We have a small group of seniors on our team, but we have a lot of players back with playing experience,” said second-year coach Martin Hopkins. “A lot of (current) juniors got to play on the first team last year, which was a great experience.”
DID YOU KNOW?: In 2015, Mustangs coach Martin Hopkins was the MVP of the Papa Hops 16-inch charity softball tournament held in Beverly and Mount Greenwood.
—Jeff Vorva
SCHEDULE
August 30, Sandburg, 7:30 a.m.
September 6, Mount Carmel, 7:30
13 September at Brother Rice, 7
September 20th at Wheaton St. Francis, 7:30 a.m.
September 27 Niles Notre Dame, 7:30 a.m.
Oct 4 Nazareth, 7:30
11 Oct. at Leo, 7:30
Oct 18 St. Patrick, 7:30
Oct 25 IC Catholic, 7:30
