Giants want to build off impressive 2023 campaign

On the heels of one of their best seasons in recent memory, the Highland Park Giants believe they’re ready to deliver an encore performance. 

The Giants turned in a stellar seven-win campaign last fall that included their first trip to the postseason in six years and their first playoff victory in 14 seasons. Highland Park’s season came to an end at the hands of the Cary-Grove Trojans, the eventual IHSA 6A state champions. 

But Highland Park will enter 2024 with a new era of leaders as the program graduated several of last year’s key contributors on both sides of the ball. Yet, the Giants are hopeful their success on the gridiron over the last 12 months will carry into this season. 

“We’re definitely younger this season,” Highland Park coach Anthony Kopp said. “I said to our group at the end of last year that our seniors are gone and that’s a lot of yards walking out the door and a lot of touchdowns walking out the door. But we have to find it here now — and they have bought into that and stepped into that.” 

The Giants joined two dozen teams that took part in the CSL 7-on-7 invite on July 10. The event provided the team an opportunity to test its mettle halfway through the summer. 

“At something like today, we want to compete and to learn,” Kopp said. “And one thing I always like to see is how do we handle and react to difficult situations: to being down, to being up. What do we do when we’re facing trouble? That’s kind of my goal that I talked about with the kids this morning when we were going over our plan for today.” 

Highland Park’s new-look offense will have a new leader at the game’s most crucial position as the Giants will be without graduated star quarterback David Finfer. It’ll be no easy task replacing one of the best players in the conference. 

Finfer was an All-State selection in 6A last season, following up back-to-back All-Conference campaigns in his sophomore and junior years. He threw for more than 2,200 yards and fired 22 touchdown passes. He also racked up nearly 700 yards of offense on the ground while scoring 14 rushing touchdowns. 

Kopp said the Giants have a couple of options at quarterback right now. Senior Michael Bryant and sophomore Gustav Crane are both taking reps for the Giants and “doing a great job,” Kopp added. 

Per Kopp, Highland Park’s offensive line is looking “big and strong” early in camp. “I’m definitely happy with the progress they’re making,” he added. 

Seniors Luis Ramirez and Charles Scott are two names that Kopp expects to be key contributors on the line for the Giants. 

Highland Park will also have to replace significant production at the skill positions. The Giants will be without some of their top producers from last season, including running back Nikko Rosenbloom and wide receivers Johnny Walker and Nick Blumer. 

Junior wideout Lucas Gordon, who hauled in 17 receptions last season, figures to be a key part of HP’s attack. Additionally, the Giants will also look to Eli Moore on offense. 

Highland Park’s defense is shaping up to be a building block for the team this year. 

“I think that (our defense) will be a strong part of the team, so we’re certainly looking to have a strong defense that is going to fly around the field and make plays for us,” Kopp said. 

The Giants are anticipating that both Moore, at linebacker, and Gordon, at safety, will also be key parts of the defense.

The club’s depth has led to a strong special teams group early in camp as well, Kopp said, adding that he believes the unit will have a higher floor than past years. 

Goal-setting six weeks prior to the start of the season can be a bit idealistic, but the Giants’ ambition for the upcoming fall is clear. 

“Our goal is always to win conference,” Kopp said. “It always starts there. We win conference and then we make the playoffs for sure, so our goal is always, every year, to win the conference.” 

HIGHLAND PARK FOOTBALL 2024 SCHEDULE  

Friday, Aug. 30 — Leyden (H)

Friday, Sept. 6 — Deerfield (A) 

Friday, Sept. 13 — Fremd (A) 

Friday, Sept. 20 — Buffalo Grove (H)

Friday, Sept. 27 — Maine West (A) 

Friday, Oct. 4 — Niles North (A) 

Thursday, Oct. 10 — Niles West (A)

Friday, Oct. 18 — Maine East (H) 

Friday, Oct. 25 — Vernon Hills (H)

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