Big Jeremiah Banks-Wall, Montini motivated by unfinished business

Jeremiah Banks-Wall is a big man on a Montini team with big plans.

Banks-Wall, the Broncos' 6-foot-6, 260-pound defensive end and left tackle, has 13 scholarship offers. A three-year starter, he's one of three returning starters on the offensive line. Montini started two sophomores on its line last year.

A very young Broncos' team led the Class 5A final with Joliet Catholic into the third quarter before losing 35-27.

"It kept me hungry to come so close and to fall short at the last minute," Banks-Wall said. "We've been working hard, trying to piece together everything. We got to finish off the puzzle piece to win that state championship game."

Montini's been in eight of them since 2009, but last won it all in 2015. Broncos' coach Mike Bukovsky has seen a motivated team this offseason.

"We had one of our best offseasons in a while," Bukovsky said. "I feel like this is one of our strongest teams weightlifting-wise. These guys really bought in. You hope that will set the tone."

Banks-Wall measures his words in conversation, but clearly means business. Always an athletic big man who moves well with great footwork, Banks-Wall made it a priority to bulk up. He went from 228 pounds to 260, putting in the time at school and EFT Sports Performance while consuming a high-protein heavy on meat and light on junk food.

"I think it will help me a lot more. Being lighter, it's hard to drive people," Banks-Wall said. "I'll be able to drive and push guys further."

Banks-Wall, the 51st-rated prospect in Illinois' Class of 2020 by the 247Sports Composite, holds offers from Syracuse and several MAC schools including Bowling Green.

"He's just a good 'ole fashioned big kid that works hard," Bukovsky said. "He leads by example. He's blossomed into a leadership role."

Also back on Montini's offensive line is 6-foot-5, 305-pound junior Dagen Miller and Colin Baker, another junior.

Montini rotated two underclassmen at quarterback last season, but with Robert Brazziel moving out of state the job is senior Deontay Bell's. Bell, who was known as the better runner of the two, did throw for nine touchdowns while running for 887 yards and 10 TDs, and has worked to improve his throwing.

"He has really morphed into a true dual threat," Bukovsky said.

A deep receiving corps is headlined by 6-foot-5 Miami (Ohio) recruit Nate Muersch, who caught 33 passes and 10 TDs last year. C.J. Bufkin, DiAndre Harris and Enzo May make up another deep, speedy group in the backfield.

Defensively, Montini returns seven starters, including four guys who have started at linebacker at one point – a group led by Trevor Swier.

Montini is now in the Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Green with St. Rita, Providence and Notre Dame as part of the conference merger. A loaded schedule includes a Week 3 visit to Mount Carmel, who is now playing home games on-campus.

"It will be about as balanced a division as we've been in in 5-6 years," Bukovsky said. "The top four teams are interchangeable. It'll be a grind."

MONTINI BRONCOS

Coach: Mike Bukovsky

2018 Record: 12-2.

Players to watch

Nate Muersch sr. WR

Deontay Bell sr. QB

Jeremiah Banks-Wall sr. OL/DL

C.J. Bufkin sr. RB/DB

Trevor Swier sr. LB

DiAndre Harris jr. LB

2019 Schedule

Aug. 31 at Hudson (Wisc.) 7 p.m.

Sept. 6 Collins 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Mount Carmel 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 St. Rita 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 St. Viator 7:30 p.m

Oct. 4 at Notre Dame 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 at St. Joseph TBA

Oct. 18 De La Salle 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 Providence 7:30 p.m.