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Football’s Christian Parenza to Play at Lake Forest College

Brophy senior offensive lineman Christian Parenza has committed to playing football and attending school at Lake Forest College outside of Chicago. Lake Forest College is an NCAA Division III college football team and member of the Midwest Conference.

“I love the culture of the program,” said Parenza. “It is super similar to Brophy. When I went to Lake Forest, I saw the brotherhood was like no other. I noticed how the team was player-led and that the academics were great overall.”

Parenza plans to study business. He will play for Head Coach Jim Catanzaro, who will be the 20th at the College and 17th as head coach in 2025. Catanzaro led Lake Forest to the program's first back-to-back league titles and NCAA Division III Playoff appearances in 2021 and 2022, and the Foresters made a return trip in 2024. 

“It means a lot to continue my career in college,” said Parenza. “I did not know if I wanted to play in college. But I had a feeling I wanted to. I saw what it was all about on my official visit.”

Parenza, who started at right guard, was an honorable mention All-Central Region selection in 2024. He helped the Broncos reach the AIA 6A Conference Semifinals, and the offensive line led the offense to over 36 points per game and 5,000 yards.

“What a journey Christian has had,” recalled Head Coach Jason Jewell. “A broken ankle set him back in his junior year, but he made the most of his senior year, starting every game he played and earning an honorable mention in the all-region. Christian and I talked after the season, and he initially said he didn't want to play after what he experienced during the Salpointe game. But I encouraged him to keep his options open, and I am so glad he did. You should have heard the excitement in his voice when he called on his visit to Lake Forest to tell me he was committing. Those moments are rewarding and why I coach football.”

Parenza was part of a senior-laden offensive line led by Wisconsin commit Logan Powell and Kansas commit Anderson Kopp. All five starters earned college scholarships, including Jorden Cunningham (Washington State) and Brayden Michael (Black Hills State University). 

“We had an all-senior offensive line, and they were all my best friends,” said Parenza. “We do everything together. We had the brotherhood as seniors, creating a chemistry where we could lead the team and set the example.”


Parenza, who has participated in the Big Brother program at Brophy, said last year's trip to San Diego and his Kairos retreat were among his favorite Brophy memories.

Lake Forest, which has a large contingent of players from Arizona, is scheduled to play a game in the state this fall. It will take place at Hamilton against Claremont-McKenna and Brophy teammate Noah Hubbard.

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