Illinois
Gimme him: Illinois high school football players pick an opponent they want as a teammate
PEORIA — Building a high school football team would be fun.
Filling in each position could be a tough task, sorting through all the skill guys, lineman and special teamers. But as much as talent would play a factor, there are intangibles that certain players would bring to the squad.
Building team chemistry is also important, so mixing together several unfamiliar players adds another wrinkle to forming the team.
This is the third of a multi-part series where the Journal Star talks with coaches and players about numerous topics relating to the world of high school football. Some of those questions range from favorite game moment, opponents they would want as a teammate, toughest teammate and go-to postgame meal. Look for more stories as the season progresses.
Here’s who Peoria-area football players want on their team.
Conference rivals
- “JJ Barnes from Morton. We already play lacrosse together. He’s a hard worker and great teammate.” — Will Freeman, Washington
- “Nobody, but if I had to choose probably Connor Daum from Stark County. He’s fast and that is something every team could use more of.” — Noah Geiger, Princeville
- “Layne Johnson (from Elmwood/Brimfield). Hard, physical athlete.” — Noah Passmore, Farmington
- “Tre Hoggard from Tolono Unity, because he is good at what he does.” — Tom Davis, Illinois Valley Central
- “Aidin Hindert from East Peoria. I work with him, and it would be awesome to suit up together.” — Tyler Hammond, Limestone
Division-I athletes
- “Jaiduan Cranford (from Metamora), because he’s a buddy of mine and would fit in with our offense.” — Layne Johnson, Elmwood/Brimfield
- “Mack Sutter (from Dunlap), because (he) is a good player and isn’t cocky about his talent.” — Gavin Otto, Canton
- “I would want Jaquarius Green (from Peoria High) on my team because I think the sheer size that he has could help our team on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.” — Mitch Sager, Peoria Notre Dame
- “Jack Gronewold and Landon Crawford (from Farmington) because I know they are great players who work hard and are overall great guys.” — Dylan Shane, Elmwood/Brimfield
- “Mack Sutter, because he’s a versatile athlete, can play multiple positions and is a good leader.” — RJ Jackson, East Peoria
- “Jaiduan (Cranford) from Metamora, because he’s a great player and a better guy.” — Jack Steffen, Dunlap
- “Jack Gronewold, because he’s a two-way player and a good teammate.” — Dalton Oakman, East Peoria
- “Mack Sutter. Highly-rated prospect that can both block and catch.” — Boh Johnson, Limestone
- “Nasir Rankin. He (is) a great wide receiver from (Chicago) Morgan Park and caught every ball.” — Riley Blue, Metamora
- “Big Baby (Jaquarius Green) from Peoria High, because we have played together before and we need more size on the line.” — Josh Hoffer, Washington
- “I would want Mack Sutter on my team. Every team could use a 6’5″, 230-pound athlete. Who doesn’t want a ‘Bama commit on their team?” — Brady Mullens, Peoria Notre Dame
Other talented guys
- “Collin Lower from Princeville. Strong, smart and would well in our system.” — Walter Lampe, Elmwood/Brimfield
- “Kylan McMillen (from Metamora). We played 7-on-7 together.” — Jack Gronewold, Farmington
- “Josh Papenhause from Tremont. I have played other sports with him and he always made sure to keep team morale high.” — Easton Orwig, Canton
- “Keimon Lee (from East Peoria). We are childhood best friends and played growing up when we were younger.” — Ty Jackson, Pekin
- “Aaden LaMar (from Morton). I work with him at Morton Dairy Queen and he is a great guy. He also is a big boy and from experience in football, big boys run people over and I like the sound of that. Also, he is 6-foot-7, 300 pounds.” — Hunter Fogle, Deer Creek-Mackinaw
- “Dalton Oakman (from East Peoria). I’ve been training with him since eighth grade and we’ve always got along really well. I think we’d have a fun quarterback room.” — Brett Bane II, Tremont
- “Will Freeman (from Washington). He’s a good athlete and physical player.” — Teigan McCoy, Pekin
- “Colton Barlow (from Dunlap). Definitely a playmaker as a lineman and was a ball of energy to be around when we played together.” — Daryl Barfield III, Richwoods
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
Police are investigating after a motorcyclist was killed in a crash in suburban Oswego on Saturday afternoon.
Officers responded to the 4000 block of Route 34 near Wolf Road for the crash around 1:42 p.m. The motorcyclist was unconscious and was receiving CPR when officers arrived.
They took over medical care until paramedics arrived and took the victim, identified as a 20-year-old man, to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The victim’s identity is being withheld pending an autopsy scheduled for Monday, police said.
Initial reports say the victim was traveling eastbound on Route 34 when he hit an enclosed trailer being towed by a van. According to the police, the van was also traveling eastbound and was attempting to make a right turn into a driveway when the crash occurred.
The driver and passenger in the van were not hurt, police said.
Route 34 was closed between Wolf Road and Boulder Hill Pass for four hours for crash reconstruction.
The crash remains under investigation pending completion of the traffic crash reconstruction report.
Illinois
Man arrested after barricading himself inside vape shop in Des Plaines, Illinois, police say
A man was arrested after police say he barricaded himself inside a business in Des Plaines on Saturday morning.
The incident happened just before 9 a.m. in the 1500 block of Rand Road.
Des Plaines police said officers responded to Vortex Vapes, located inside a strip mall in the 1500 block of Rand Road, just before 9 a.m. for a report of a suspect, a 26-year-old man from Des Plaines, armed with a box cutter, who confronted the shop employee.
The employee was able to escape the business, but the suspect stayed and barricaded himself inside, police said.
The Tactical Response Team responded to the business and arrested the suspect, who surrendered without incident.
The business was closed for about four hours. Police said the area is now safe for travel, and the business has since reopened.
This incident is still under investigation. Des Plaines police said they will provide additional information once it becomes available.
An Illinois high school football assistant coach has been arrested on criminal sexual abuse charges.
High School on SI previously reported that John “Jake” Wakey had been placed on leave and was being investigated after the FBI received a tip accusing an employee of inappropriate sexual conduct involving a former student over a year ago.
From that tip, investigators confirmed that at least eight students from 2013 to 2015 were abused by Wakey, according to a report by Capitol News Illinois. Thursday, he was arrested and charged with nine Class 2 felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
Illinois Assistant Football Coach Was Investigated By FBI, Local Law Enforcement
The charges involve victims aged 13-to-17 by a person in a position of trust during the 2013, 2014 and 2015 school years. Four former students provided statements to Williamson County detectives, with eight total potential victims being connected to the investigation.
“Of those eight identifiable victims, four individuals have presently memorialized the facts of their experiences on the records with investigators, which ultimately formed the basis for the charges announced,” Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich said during a press conference. “In cases involving criminal sexual abuse, it frequently requires a victim-survivor to come forward, disclose what occurred and allow investigators to memorialize those facts for prosecution.
“For many victims, that process can take months or even years, as appears to have occurred in this investigation.”
It was also reported that the offenses involved members of the Carterville High School football team, where Wakey served as an assistant coach.
John “Jake” Wakey Has Previously Been In Trouble As Teacher, Coach
Wakey was placed on paid administrative leave back in February 2026 once the school district received word that he was involved in an investigation. He had worked for the Carterville School District since 2003 as both a teacher and as an assistant football coach.
Previously, Wakey had been suspended for 10 days in 2009 after being accused of inappropriately texting students, allowing students at his home and drinking in front of students. He was not charged at the time. He also received a misdemeanor conviction for providing liquor to minors in 2003 before joining Carterville.
“The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office is aware of longstanding community concerns, suspicions, rumors and allegations involving inappropriate conduct, including allegations related to alcohol, student-teacher contact and the sharing of images involving students and/or faculty members,” Diederich said.
Wakey is set to be held at the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office after being transferred from the Livingston County Jail. The Carterville Board of Education is expected to hold a special meeting to take action on the “discipline and/or dismissal of a licensed employee of the District.”
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