Trevians confident in what they’re putting on the field this summer

In the dog days of summer, New Trier football has its collective mind set on a certain date.

Although the Trevians are just hitting the halfway point of their summer work, the group’s focus is already locked in on a Friday night in late August.

But, before the calendar turns, there’s plenty of work still to be done. And the Trevians know their efforts in the early days of July will go a long way in determining their opening-night fate when they welcome the Naperville North Huskies to Northfield in just over five weeks.

“Our goal more than anything right now … and our main focus is starting out hot and beating Naperville North in Week 1,” New Trier head coach Brian Doll said. “We have good seasons when we win that Week 1 game and we become more of a threat as the season goes on with getting off to a hot start.

“I do believe things do just get on a big major swing when you win the first game.”

New Trier showcased an early look at what’s to come this fall on Wednesday, July 8, during its first 7-on-7 competition of the summer. Joining the Trevs at Maine West High School were a majority of their Central Suburban League counterparts as well as several other programs from around the state.

The Trevians are eager to return to the gridiron to build off a strong 2025 season that saw them reach the postseason for the first time since 2021. The resurgent year helped create added confidence for the program — and also for the New Trier community.

“I feel like around the school the expectation was that New Trier football is not so good but after last year I feel like we have changed that culture,” said Rick Miller, one of the Trevs senior leaders. “Everyone on this team believes we’re going to make the playoffs.”

Running back depth

One positional group making noise this summer is New Trier’s trio of halfbacks.

Doll said the Trevs are the “deepest we are at any position” when describing the early looks of New Trier’s 2026 backfield.

The Trevs this season will return three varsity contributors from last year: seniors Declan O’Meara and Donsley Lyman as well as junior Nikolas Hanold.

O’Meara paced New Trier’s ground attack last campaign with just over 600 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Hanold and Lyman both saw touches out of the backfield but the pair this season is expected to play a much larger role for the Trevs.

“It’s the first time I can ever say that we have three kids who clearly can play running back and start for us,” Doll said, adding each has shown this summer that they’re “excellent running backs.”

All three have squatted over 400 pounds during offseason workouts, Doll said, noting that New Trier has never featured a trio of varsity running backs who’ve done that.

New Trier coaching staff believes its depth at the position should serve as the ideal pairing to the offense’s high-powered passing game led by its star quarterback and Purdue University commit Jackie Ryder.

“It’s a real positive for us, specifically knowing that we have a very big threat in a throwing quarterback,” Doll said. “I’m hoping the run game will open up a lot of things for Jackie and vice versa.”

Arsenal of pass-catchers

With more than 1,000 receiving yards and their top three receivers from 2025 departing due to graduation, the Trevs’ aerial attack will look much different this season.

It’ll be no easy task to replace Emmett Koshkarian, whose team-high 49 receptions in 2025 is the second highest single-season total in program history.

But one player who so far in camp looks fit for the challenge of filling that void is junior Paul Liang.

The speedy wideout was all over the field Wednesday afternoon, showcasing a strong connection with Ryder. Liang was by far the most-targeted receiver throughout the Trevians’ 7-on-7 matchups.

“We think he’s going to be pretty special for us this year,” Doll said of Liang. “He’s a really good player with a great attitude. And he’s a great kid who always has a smile on his face and he just absolutely loves football.”

Similar to Koshkarian in 2025, expect Liang to operate largely as a slot receiver, who with his excellent speed will surely be a big threat with the ball in his hands.

Joining Liang as the offense’s top speed threat is junior Ben Sullivan. Sullivan became a key part of New Trier’s offense late in 2025, serving as a top big-play threat. The Trevians expect Sullivan, who is also one of the state’s best lacrosse players, to be a significant weapon once again.

Seniors John Baxter and Tyler VanderKamp were especially active for the Trevs out wide on Wednesday as well. Each is expected to be key targets for Ryder during the upcoming campaign.

VanderKamp, who saw some varsity time as a sophomore in 2024, returns to New Trier’s roster after missing last season with an injury. He and fellow senior Alex Fairchild are two players the Trevs are anticipating as key contributors on both sides of the ball.

Defensive backfield also a strength

New Trier will enter the year with its defensive backfield fully in form — an attribute that hasn’t been the case in several seasons.

A group of returners includes several players who became crucial parts of the team’s defense late last season.

“One of our strengths this year is our secondary,” Doll said. “It’s probably our biggest strength on our defense.”

Miller, Fairchild and Peter Cusick are all back to lead the backfield. But,Doll said the “biggest surprise” of the unit, and perhaps of the entire defense thus far, is the return of VanderKamp.

“He’s really become a key member of our defensive backfield to round out that group,” Doll said.

Miller said the unit has gelled particularly well, in large part because they’ve all played together since middle school.

“I think we’re really strong defensively this year,” Miller said. “We probably have the best defensive backfield we’ve had in a while. We have a great linebacker core and our defensive line is stepping it up.

“Our DB group has played together (for years), so we all know each other so well.”

Linebacker Logan Zettek, a transfer from Loyola Academy, has also impressed the Trevians coaching staff this summer and is anticipated to be one of the team’s leaders on defense.

“Logan has been a very, very nice addition to our team and his size and length helps him cover a lot of space,” Doll said. “I’ve just enjoyed watching him learn a new system but also he just has an extremely high football IQ.”

Cole Mason, Mason Freiburger and Levi Solomon are three players expected to anchor New Trier’s defense while O’Meara and Will Molloy are tabbed to contribute as linebackers as well.

What’s ahead

New Trier will be back in 7-on-7 action again Wednesday, July 15, when it matches up with Loyola Academy, Montini Catholic and Notre Dame.

The Trevs will then face off with Lake Forest at another 7-on-7 later in July as well as a combined team practice against Stevenson later in the summer.

“We’re going to get a variety of opportunities to see and further elevate where we’re at,” Doll said. “I think we’re in a good place right now but this is really a learning time and an install time for us.”

What’s really sticking out about the team thus far is its confidence.

“What I like right now about this group is that I think they really believe in themselves,” Doll said. “Our juniors coming up have been very successful and we have to make sure that we have that hunger and that grind in us to continue being successful. Winning is contagious and these kids believe they’re going to win football games and now we have to go out and do it.”

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