Reid and Connor Hites of St. Ignatius College Prep have a football history rooted in family tradition. Often, siblings toss a football in their backyard; one becomes a quarterback, while the other becomes a receiver. Growing up in Lincoln Park, the Hites brothers had no backyard. Instead, they played on a turf-covered garage patio with netting for safety.
We would go out there, play catch, play one-on-one, just try to tackle each other, that kind of stuff,
Connor Hites shared, recalling how they would wear oversized Bears jerseys and pads, engaging in playful tackles.
Reid Hites, the younger brother, now serves as the starting quarterback for St. Ignatius as a junior. Connor, initially a receiver, has transitioned into a versatile linebacker. He is a senior leader for the Wolfpack, who boast a 5-1 record and rank 13th in the Chicago Tribune’s top 25. Connor’s talent has attracted multiple Division I scholarship offers, including one from West Virginia. However, he chose the Ivy League’s Penn, following his father Kevin, a former Brown University football player.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 205 pounds, Connor may not seem intimidating at first glance. However, Coach Matt Miller sees him fitting perfectly in modern college defenses. He’s a college nickel, a smaller linebacker that can cover,
Miller explained. It’s a coveted position in today’s game.
Connor’s fearless approach has left an impression on his coach, who describes him as an old-school Catholic League linebacker, always ready to make impactful tackles.
Reid Hites, initially set to start as quarterback last year, faced a setback due to a broken arm during a Week Zero scrimmage, an event later stopped by the Illinois High School Association. Despite a challenging regular season, Reid recovered and led the team on a winning streak, culminating in a Prep Bowl victory. The first week back was rough,
Reid admitted, but I got back into the groove.
St. Ignatius achieved playoff success in 2022 and 2023, reaching late stages before getting placed in the CCL/ESCC Blue, leading to two tough seasons. Now in the CCL Orange division, the team has a 5-1 record, highlighted by wins over top teams. The upcoming challenge against No. 2 Loyola is their toughest yet.
The Hites brothers have embraced city life in Chicago, their parents having roots in Valparaiso, Indiana, and Akron, Ohio. Reid remarked on their adaptation to urban living, saying, It’s kind of normal to us.
Despite originally being from California, the Hites family chose Chicago for its opportunities and vibrant city life.
With a clear view of the Chicago skyline from the practice field, St. Ignatius players not only experience the city’s scenery but also aim for continued success on the field.