Duke Mays Transfers to Joliet Catholic Academy

The junior football and wrestling standout leaves Johnsburg High School to join the storied Hilltoppers program.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:50pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the abstracted forms of high school football and wrestling players in the team colors of Johnsburg and Joliet Catholic Academy, representing the complex dynamics of a talented athlete's transfer.A cubist interpretation of a high school athlete's transfer, capturing the fragmented perspectives and emotions surrounding the move.Joliet Today

Duke Mays, a junior two-sport star from Joliet, Illinois, has transferred from Johnsburg High School to Joliet Catholic Academy. Mays, who excelled in both football and wrestling at Johnsburg, will now play for the Hilltoppers in his senior year. The move brings Mays back to his hometown, where his parents graduated from JCA in 2007 and he has extended family.

Why it matters

Mays' transfer is a significant move for both Johnsburg and Joliet Catholic Academy. Johnsburg will lose a standout player who was a key part of their football and wrestling programs, while JCA gains a talented athlete who could make an immediate impact on their storied sports teams.

The details

As a junior at Johnsburg, Mays was a varsity football player since his freshman year, racking up over 70 tackles in each of the past two seasons. He also rushed for 643 yards and four touchdowns, and caught 19 passes for 196 yards and a TD. In wrestling, Mays won his 100th career match in January and earned a fifth-place state medal in Class 1A. Mays said this was a difficult decision, but he felt it was the best move for him and his family.

  • Mays has already started attending classes at Joliet Catholic Academy.
  • Mays plans to play football and wrestle his senior year for the Hilltoppers.

The players

Duke Mays

A junior two-sport star who has transferred from Johnsburg High School to Joliet Catholic Academy, where he will play football and wrestle his senior year.

Barrett and Janell Mays

Duke Mays' parents, who graduated from Joliet Catholic Academy in 2007.

Sam Lesniak

The head football coach at Johnsburg High School, who said Mays was a great player for them.

Micah Welch

A two-way lineman at Johnsburg High School who was named co-MVP of the team along with Mays.

Mike Alstott

A six-time Pro Bowl fullback who played for Joliet Catholic Academy.

Tom Thayer

A Super Bowl XX champion with the Chicago Bears who played for Joliet Catholic Academy.

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What they’re saying

“This was an extremely hard decision, but after a lot of thought, my family and I felt that this was the best decision for me. I love the community I grew up in [in Johnsburg], and I hope to continue the relationship with my friends.”

— Duke Mays

“We wish him the best. He was a great player for us.”

— Sam Lesniak, Johnsburg High School Football Coach

What’s next

Mays will join a Joliet Catholic Academy football program that won the Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference Orange with a 3-0 record last season, but went just 4-6 overall. The Hilltoppers will be looking to Mays to help them return to their championship-winning ways.

The takeaway

Duke Mays' transfer from Johnsburg to Joliet Catholic Academy represents a significant move for the talented two-sport athlete, as he returns to his hometown to join a storied high school sports program. The move will impact both schools, as Johnsburg loses a standout player while JCA gains a promising addition to their football and wrestling teams.