Addison Trail’s Chris Bazant named Chicago Bears High School Coach of the Week

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The Chicago Bears have officially named head coach Chris Bazant of Addison Trail High School in Addison, Ill., as the Chicago Bears High School Coach of the Week for Week 8. The recognition is presented by Athletico Physical Therapy. The Bears will make a $2,000 donation to the Addison Trail football program.

On Oct. 12, head coach Chris Bazant guided his team, the Addison Trail Blazers (6-2), to a 20-7 road conference victory against the Leyden Eagles (2-6), on Thursday afternoon. This win secured their playoff spot for the first time since 2014. Coach Bazant took over the Blazers program in 2020 after Coach Paul Parpet Jr. stepped down from the program after 10 years. When he took over, he understood the challenges that come with it, given that the team only had three winning seasons in the past 17 years. Coach Bazant and his staff focused on rebuilding the Blazer program by investing in the youth football programs. They provided opportunities for their players by exposing them to experiences they wouldn’t have otherwise had, such as participating in the Bears 11-On competition and various off-the-field team-building activities. Coach Bazant remains committed to investing in his players to ensure their ongoing success beyond high school. The Blazers are now preparing to face their conference rivals, the Downers Grove South Mustangs (5-3), on Friday, Oct. 20, for a chance to finish first in the West Suburban Gold Conference.

Chicago Bears news release

The above story is from the Chicago Bears

About “Coach of the Week” & “High School All-Star”

The Chicago Bears Coach of the Week program was launched in 1996 and High School All-Star program in 2011. The Coach of the Week program honors outstanding Illinois high school coaches who develop players’ football skills and knowledge, character, leadership, discipline and teamwork abilities. The nomination criteria for the High School All-Star program includes on-field performance, community involvement and good sportsmanship. Exceptional high school coaches and players who go beyond expectations are nominated by a panel of local high school sports journalists. The winning candidates are chosen each week from Aug. 25th to Oct. 21st. Since the program’s inception, the Bears have donated more than $369,000 to Illinois high schools in support of their football programs. For more information, please visit ChicagoBears.com/Community/High-School-Football.

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2023 Chicago Bears HS Coach of the Week Winners

Week 7 – Michael Noymola, Huntley HS

Week 6 – Mike Silkowski, Lincoln Community HS

Week 5 – George Klupchak, Maine West HS

Week 4 – Jeff Boyer – Byron HS

Week 3 – Colton Nero – Amos Alonzo Stagg HS

Week 2 – Adam Chavez, West Chicago HS

Week 1 – Terry Maxwell, Seneca HS

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About the Author

Jeff Fisher
Jeff is an award-winning journalist and expert in the field of high school sports, underscored with his appearance on CNBC in 2010 to talk about the big business of high school football in America.Jeff turned to his passion for high school football into an entrepreneurial venture called High School Football America, a digital media company focused on producing original high school sports content for radio, television and the internet.Jeff is co-founder and editor-in-chief of High School Football America, a partner with NFL Play Football.