Giants hope big 2023 left impression, as they aim for another playoff appearance

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Thanks to a captivating recent chapter, turning the page for Highland Park football won’t be easy.

The Giants put together one of the program’s best seasons in 2023, collecting seven wins (one in the postseason; its first such victory in 14 years) while averaging 35 points per game.

With a majority of last year’s starters lost to graduation, including All-State quarterback David Finfer, Highland Park is coming into 2024 with a new look and big shoes to fill.

“I talked about it at the end of last season … a lot of touchdowns walked out the door with that senior class — a lot of yards, a lot of tackles,” Giants coach Anthony Kopp said. “We have to find that in this group here. It doesn’t have to be one player, but we need among this group to make that up.

“They really bought into it. We have a different group but I think they have the opportunity to learn from last year and want to be part of a winning program.”

Senior Eli Moore is one of the few holdovers. The linebacker and tight end will wear the program’s coveted No. 4, which identifies the Giants biggest hitter and overall most hard-nosed player.

Despite the significant roster losses, Highland Park is going after the conference title and another playoff berth. Moore is ready for the challenge.

“I think this team is really going to prove how tough we are,” he said. “A lot of people are feeling there are a lot of holes to fill. I think we’re going to be just fine with that. I think we got a lot of guys where this is their first year starting and they are really hungry to be on the field and are all about it. They want this season really bad.” 

Offense: Finding the right pieces

Replacing Finfer is no easy task, and Highland Park is giving that opportunity to two Giants. Senior Michael Bryant, who took snaps in 2023 when Finfer was off the field, and sophomore Gustav Crane are vying for the position of starting QB.

Kopp said each player has unique skills and both are “strong football players.” He thinks they each will see time on the field no matter what, but who takes the starting snaps is yet to be decided.

In the backfield, sophomore Jayden Corchado takes over for three-year starter Nikko Rosenbloom. Kopp has been impressed with the sophomore thus far. Moore may also get some touches out of the backfield.

Junior receiver Lucas Gordon is back for his third year with the varsity unit. Gordon burst on the scene as a freshman with a 100-yard performance in his first action. He caught 17 balls amid a crowded receivers room as a sophomore. This year, he will be heavily leaned on.

“Other than that, we’re filling in the pieces,” Kopp said. “It might not be one single guy. It will be multiple guys stepping up and multiple guys getting the ball.”

Kopp said the Giants size, on both sides of the football, will be an advantage. Luis Ramirez and Charles Scott are two offensive linemen he expects to step up.

‘Make (teams) feel it’

Moore and Gordon (safety) will anchor the defensive unit. They combined for 91 tackles a season ago and will step into more prominent roles.

From there, like the offense, Giants will be filling in spots vacated by graduating seniors.

As the unit’s leader, Moore said he’s seen a lot of toughness out of the group and expects them to do some damage.

“I think we’re a really hard-nosed team and we’re going to make (teams) feel it by the end of the game,” he said. “We’re going to get right back on the ball and it’s all about going after it again. I think by the end (of games) we’re going to break teams, going to make them want to quit.”

The Giants will open with Leyden for the third straight season, winning the previous two matchups. They will play the Eagles at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, at Wolters Field in Highland Park.

A Week 2 rivalry tilt at Deerfield looms, and then the Giants will visit Fremd on Sept. 13 and host Buffalo Grove a week later.  

The conference slate begins in Week 5 with a trip to Maine West, the reigning Central Suburban North champ.

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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