Althoff returns solid core from team that advanced to state football quarterfinals
There is plenty of confidence surrounding the Althoff football team as the 2024 season gets set to open.
The Crusaders return 12 starters on both sides of the ball from a club that went 10-2 and advanced to the IHSA Class 1A quarterfinals a season ago. It’s a mix of transfers and seasoned veterans that has Crusaders coach Austin Frazier looking forward to what they can do on the field.
“I like a lot of our new guys,” Frazier said. “We’ve also got some four-year guys who have come into their own as seniors, as well as some good transfer guys. We’re excited to have the mix of them both.”
Senior running back and University of Oregon commit Dierre Hill, Jr. returns on offense for the Crusaders. Hill Jr., who rushed for 1,788 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior, will be the most explosive weapon in the Althoff offense.
Senior receiver and Boston College commit Charleston Coldon is back along with Kylan Jordan to drive the passing game.
Under center, sophomore Jayden Ellington returns to run the offense.
Seniors Patton Leib and Cam Golden are in place to lead the offensive line.
Frazier likes the versatility of the Crusaders’ offense and feels they will not be solely dependent on Hill for big plays.
“We want to be able to attack you in a multitude of ways whether it’s in space, running the ball, throwing the ball, so we’re not going to try to hone in on one thing this year,” Frazier said. “We can do a lot of different things with the players that we have.”
On defense, senior Jason Dowell, a 6-4, 288-pound Missouri commit, will anchor the line at tackle, while fellow senior Asher Peterson moves from linebacker to defensive end. Junior Steven Ache will lead the linebacking corps while junior Steven Ache and senior Cooper Zimmer return in the linebacker group while seniors Barren Vaughn and Dale Parker are competing for an outside linebacker spot.
Coldon, who will be the Crusaders’ only two-way starter, anchors the defensive backfield at safety.
Frazier is very pleased with the experience and talent level on both offense and defense.
“We’re excited about the prospects of both groups,” Frazier said. “It’s very talented and we have good size, we’re athletic and we have some experience for playing and that’s going to pay dividends.”
Frazier’s goals for the Crusaders in 2024 are simple.
“We’re just trying to get better today,” Frazier said. “All we’re concerned about being detail-oriented and getting better than whatever we were great at the day before.”
Althoff Catholic opens the season on the road against Alton Friday at 7 p.m.
Althoff Schedule
Aug. 30 - at Alton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 - at Decatur St. Teresa, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13 - BELLEVILLE EAST, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 - at Tolono Unity, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27 - ALTON MARQUETTE, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 - COLLINSVILLE, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 - at Mater Dei, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 - at Granite City, 7 p.m.
Oct. 26 - Maple Park Kaneland, 1 p.m.
This story was originally published August 29, 2024 at 5:40 AM.