Perhaps it’s fitting that Lyons Township High School football team senior captains Patrick Cheney, Brady Rusk, Jack Slightom and Roman Sosnovyy all have different uniform numbers this season. Some changes are nods to the past. All have some connection to the future – and perhaps an even better season than the Lions’ historic run in 2024.
“Our motto this season is exceed the standard,” Sosnovyy said. “Last year we set the standard of 9-0 in the regular season and unfortunately we had a tough (Class 8A playoff) loss against Naperville Central. We want that state final win. We want it bad and that’s motivated us a ton this year.”
The Lions’ high expectations continue after a phenomenal 11-1 finish in 2024 – the most victories for any season dating back to 1917.
The first 9-0 regular season since 1943 was climaxed by their first West Suburban Conference Silver Division title since 2010 and first outright since 1987 with a perfect 6-0 mark before losing in the Class 8A quarterfinals at home to Naperville Central 24-7.
Lyons Township’s line backers Patrick Cheney (2) and Lou Ratcliffe (1) watch the action during their preseason Blue & Gold game Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 in Western Springs, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons Township’s returning defensive starters Patrick Cheney (2) and Roman Sosnovyy (55) watch the offense during their preseason Blue & Gold game Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 in Western Springs, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons Township’s quarterback Brock Curtin (19) takes some reps during their preseason Blue & Gold game Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 in Western Springs, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
While the Lions graduated their three all-staters, two-way starters Sosnovyy, Cheney and Rusk return from their 11 All-WSC Silver players. Cheney and Sosnovyy also are in their third varsity seasons.
LTHS returns nine starters (5 defense, 4 defense) and several others who saw significant playing time. The Lions get tested immediately with Friday’s opener at Joliet Catholic Academy, which lost last year’s 5A state final to Nazareth 29-27.
“We have a lot of very, very good football players. We have a lot of guys that will be young out there, new to varsity football, but we’re doing everything we can to make sure they’re prepared for Week 1, Week 2,” LTHS coach Jon Beutjer said. “I know that they’ve worked so hard. Football is such a huge commitment from December all the way until now and I know they’re looking forward to relishing and enjoying the fruits of all of their labor. I think this team can be very good. These guys continue to get better and we’re really excited about the season.”
Cheney (No. 2) and Sosnovyy (No. 55) have returned to their numbers as freshmen, when the 2022 LTHS team also reached the 8A quarterfinals. The 2023 team excelled before losing in the second round at home to semifinalist York 17-14.
“What we’ve learned is that leadership role and how to lead the team to victory. We’re going in a dark alley and we’re coming out clean,” Cheney said. “I’m sure it’s a good feeling to get that (championship) ring after the season. That’s the goal – week by week.”
Beutjer said the Lions’ linebacking crew is among the state’s best. It’s fueled by Cheney (47 tackles, 5 for loss in 2024), Rusk (9 tackles) and senior Lou Ratcliffe (68 tackles, 16 for loss).
Senior defensive back Anthony Pearson from Brookfield and lineman Sosnovyy also return.
Senior Jimmy Hillmann from Brookfield are Sosnovyy are back on the offensive line with Sosnovyy expecting even more reps. Rusk also returns at tight end (14 catches, 88 yards, 2 TDs) as well as Cheney as a situational running back (65 yards, 3 TDs).
Rusk has switched to No. 3 after wearing No. 87 through all of his years of organized football.
“I feel like that is the end of an era and now being a senior captain, somebody who wants to lead the team. I’m taking on a new number, new role, opportunity,” he said. “We did graduate a lot of really good players but I’m personally super confident in the guys we have. I feel like we have what it takes this year.”
Other varsity returnees include seniors Jack Slightom, Frank Suero, Sam Foerlich, Lukas Sanguinet, James Praser, Jakub Radecki, Sean Malinowski and Miko Zecevic. Key varsity newcomers include juniors Owen Mateja, EJ Kuhlman, Nathan Fitzgerald, Brady Koren, Cole Harris, Charlie Harrington and Kyndell Barnes, sophomores Ian Collins and Grant Smith and freshman Jack Williams.
Slightom takes over at quarterback for graduated all-conference Dom Pisciotti who, like Slightom, also is a baseball standout.
Soon after the Lions’ baseball season ended this spring, Slightom verbally committed to play baseball at the University of Cincinnati. Slightom, who was 6-for-11 passing for 92 yards and 1 TD as Pisciotti’s backup, has switched from No. 18 to 13 – his baseball number.
“Dom was such a great quarterback. My goal is just doing exactly what he did and maybe pushing it a little further,” Slightom said.
Suero, Kuhlman and Williams will share running back duties. Placekicking is among senior Dylan Wolf and senior Ryland Avants and sophomore Wolfie Ketterling, both also members of the soccer team.
“That’s all we’re really focusing on, getting 1 percent better than we were the day before,” Beutjer said. “We feel like when you do that from December all the way to August, great things can happen.”
