Lots of early preseason questions....one of the biggest in my mind is how well will the DVC/SWSB comb work out? Who has the advantage?
Post your top questions and conferences here
Post your top questions and conferences here
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Good questions. Here's a few more.All..... The CS8 Conference. Ratsy
Will everyone be happy at the end of the season with the new two division setup?
How will the new kids on the block Lincoln and QND fare?
Will Chatham the best team (on paper) in the conference be really that good?
1. Crimsons will likely be the only undefeated team out of the West when week 3 arrives and division play starts. They are looking for w's and at least five shouldn't be a problem.Good questions. Here's a few more.
What team(s) will most benefit from the Week 1 and 2 non-conference games, either from a Won-Loss standpoint or for later season development?
After two seasons without making the playoffs, can Springfield emerge as SHG's main competition in the West division?
Which team is likely to improve the most from '23 and which is most likely to take a step backwards?
I would say CoM should have a solid season. MC and LA will dominate each with a great QB. Who will be Rice QB? Marist got in a nice transfer QB from LWE in Ritter. Rita lost a bunch of starters to transfer portal but they will be solid with their returning QB and RB (Herman). Rice if they stay healthy should have a solid D - but who will be the QB?How the CCL shakes out.
- IC, how do they respond after maybe one of their best teams.
- SF, lots of skill position talent. How does the OL/DL hold up? Which QB starts?
- Naz, i just assume they break my heart again! lol
- CoM, do they continue their climb.
- Marist, do they rebound?
- Rita, know very little about them for next year.
Just a few thoughts...
I've heard literally nothing regarding an H-F departure......What will the 'Brook's debut in the SW Prairie look like? Is the door permanently closed on H-F's push to enter the Southland becoming the 2nd school to leave the SWSC after the Raiders? Will a single season really be enough to evaluate the SWSC/DVC merger in football?
The Plainfield East game should be fun!SWS Prairie? Impact of adding Bolingbrook?
PowerI66 - surprised you haven't weighed in on Fremd's expected resurgence this fall. I think they're a 6-3 kinda team and make the playoffs for the first time in years.The Plainfield East game should be fun!
I couldn't think of only one question, that's why. It appears you couldn't either!PowerI66 - surprised you haven't weighed in on Fremd's expected resurgence this fall. I think they're a 6-3 kinda team and make the playoffs for the first time in years.
Otherwise-
Barrington will live and die by big plays like they often do. I don't think Piepert has the crew around him he had last year so we'll see. Could be 12-1 again, or could be 6-4.
Palatine ought to be one of the best teams around, but after last season they'll need to prove it. By my count they have 7 guys with D1 offers, and younger guys like upcoming juniors Kole Fager, Will Santiago, and Jordan Bostick will all be stars. Like Barrington, ought to be 12-1, but could be 6-4 again.
Hoffman Estates lost some good guys but usually seem to reload well. See them around 6-3 or 5-4 and in the playoffs.
Conant and Schaumburg bringing up the rear.. neither just seems to get the athletes they once did
Under the new two division CS8 structure, you will mostly have only 2 "crossover" games with the other division. West division SHG will likely want to play Chatham and Rochester each year from the East division (and they will want to play SHG and each other), so you could see no SHG games against Lincoln, U High, or the Decatur schools in the regular season until the conference structure changes again. Depending on SHG's class, they could possibly face these schools in the playoffs.And here's yet a few more questions regarding the CS-8. As for SHG, the question is how many sophmores can you put in a starting role on a varsity roster? They have a very small number of seniors even on the roster, and only a handful of juniors, so it looks like they will be a very young team. I think Rochester may be in a similar situation. So once again, will SHG take it on the chin in week one, (at St. Louis CBC) and then spend the rest of the season trying to recover just like last year? And my other question, will Lincoln EVER play SHG in football on any level? They seem to have no problem playing them in all other sports, or maybe that was an agreement they made before they re-joined the conference. Just curious. As for Chatham, I do think they will be very good. How good? only time will tell, but for the next 2 years they should be a load.
All.... SHG is in the second year of the success factor. Even if the Cyclones multiplied enrollment of 884.40 were to land in the upper end of class 4A it would not apply. They will be class 5A per that rule. Normal U is firmly 4A and Lincoln likely on the high end of 4A like last year. Mac is 5A so that's a possible meeting between the two in postseason play. RatsyUnder the new two division CS8 structure, you will mostly have only 2 "crossover" games with the other division. West division SHG will likely want to play Chatham and Rochester each year from the East division (and they will want to play SHG and each other), so you could see no SHG games against Lincoln, U High, or the Decatur schools in the regular season until the conference structure changes again. Depending on SHG's class, they could possibly face these schools in the playoffs.
All.... If everyone on last years roster returns (not what Hudl or MaxPreps might show) but what the roster you get at the stadium SHG for the 2024 season will have 16 seniors and 24 juniors. Cyclones will dress a smaller number of lucky sophomores and a couple special freshman that show outstanding promise. Not that they will get in but stranger things have happened. RatsyAnd here's yet a few more questions regarding the CS-8. As for SHG, the question is how many sophmores can you put in a starting role on a varsity roster? They have a very small number of seniors even on the roster, and only a handful of juniors, so it looks like they will be a very young team. I think Rochester may be in a similar situation. So once again, will SHG take it on the chin in week one, (at St. Louis CBC) and then spend the rest of the season trying to recover just like last year? And my other question, will Lincoln EVER play SHG in football on any level? They seem to have no problem playing them in all other sports, or maybe that was an agreement they made before they re-joined the conference. Just curious. As for Chatham, I do think they will be very good. How good? only time will tell, but for the next 2 years they should be a load.
Who did Rita lose ?I would say CoM should have a solid season. MC and LA will dominate each with a great QB. Who will be Rice QB? Marist got in a nice transfer QB from LWE in Ritter. Rita lost a bunch of starters to transfer portal but they will be solid with their returning QB and RB (Herman). Rice if they stay healthy should have a solid D - but who will be the QB?
I look each year at the number of Seniors on Rochester's roster. 20 or more tends to be a good sign for the season. Last year, they had 22. In 2015, they only had 13 and it showed in the playoffs. 24 Juniors for the Cyclones is a really good number and bodes well for '25, which will also see Chatham's best senior class since Luke Lehnen and company.All.... If everyone on last years roster returns (not what Hudl or MaxPreps might show) but what the roster you get at the stadium SHG for the 2024 season will have 16 seniors and 24 juniors. Cyclones will dress a smaller number of lucky sophomores and a couple special freshman that show outstanding promise. Not that they will get in but stranger things have happened. Ratsy
SF skill positions should be a load to defend this year…this could be the most talent they’ve ever had as a unit. Looks like you’ve got FBS offers for 4 guys at receiver (Washington, Willis, Dario, and Mueller). 1000 yard rusher back in Ransom. Whoever wins the QB battle will absolutely have earned it, got 3 really good ones (2 of whom with varsity starting experience) sitting in that QB room. As usual, the skill positions will be the strong point of the team, but this year looks to even be an outlier on that front when it comes to the level of talent.How the CCL shakes out.
- IC, how do they respond after maybe one of their best teams.
- SF, lots of skill position talent. How does the OL/DL hold up? Which QB starts?
- Naz, i just assume they break my heart again! lol
- CoM, do they continue their climb.
- Marist, do they rebound?
- Rita, know very little about them for next year.
Just a few thoughts...
Will they knock off SE for the title and become new king? Upstate 8er and been wondering what its going to be like now being that we get to play non con. Hopefully we get some better games to test kids earlier? I know SE opens with Barrington and Batavia so can only imagine what those scores will be with a first year staff. Gonna find out what works and where you're behind EARLYUpstate 8? How will West Aurora fare and where will they fit into the conference?
All.... We all just guess until they come out on the field. (lol) The back up center last season was Daniel Hallam (6'2" 275 ) SHG will have quite a bit of speed in the backfield. Khorbin Gregory can really motor and I assume he will be one of the starting rb's. Trent Caldwell was the mop up qb in 2023. Another speedster. As quick maybe faster then Levi was. He didn't throw much coming in late in those blow out games but can really run and showed it. The few times Trent did throw looked fine.Thanks Ratsy. I am not in the "inner circle" so other than looking at a roster from last year I can only make guesses and assumptions. Of those 16 seniors you say we have I only have a very small number of those actually being starters, with the rest coming from the junior class and then a number of sophmores. I would assume that kids like Groesch, Jobe Kepler and Davis would be 3 sophmores that may find a spot in the starting lineup. I am curious as to who plays center this fall as well as QB. I think both of those spots will have some competition as there are several candidates. Bottom line is I think we'll be a much younger team overall this year as opposed to last season.
Big question is how SE looks minus the coach? Do they pick up where they left off and more importantly build off last season and last few seasons?Will they knock off SE for the title and become new king? Upstate 8er and been wondering what its going to be like now being that we get to play non con. Hopefully we get some better games to test kids earlier? I know SE opens with Barrington and Batavia so can only imagine what those scores will be with a first year staff. Gonna find out what works and where you're behind EARLY
Will be interesting to see where HC can fit in with those as well with what appears to be a lot coming back. Lyons and DGN have good looking squads as wellI think one the most intriguing conferences in the state is the WSS. York and GBW have been heavyweights in recent years, but Lyons is building a good program.
York having a new HC is interesting although I understand it’s the DC from last year. Whoever wins the conference is whoever has the best player and best defense imo. York had the best D’s and player last 2 years imo with the QB 2 yrs ago and then RB last year.
I agree - the WSS is going to be another meat grinder this year. I think York may step back a little with the HC change - Fitz being an Offensive guy, Gelsomino a Defensive guy. DGN appears to have graduated a lot of skill talent on both sides, but with their QB, they'll be dangerous. Hinsdale Central will bring back a lot of returners on both sides - Offense wasn't the struggle last year, and with an improved Defense, I expect a return to previous success. LT seems to be building, and are coming off a Quaterfinal run. GBW is a mystery to me, but they are coming off two consecutive playoff runs.I think one the most intriguing conferences in the state is the WSS. York and GBW have been heavyweights in recent years, but Lyons is building a good program.
York having a new HC is interesting although I understand it’s the DC from last year. Whoever wins the conference is whoever has the best player and best defense imo. York had the best D’s and player last 2 years imo with the QB 2 yrs ago and then RB last year.
Good lord, how did I even forget to mention DGN and their stud QB?!? What a bloodbath of a conference! Think I know where a few of my Friday nights will be spent this fall.Will be interesting to see where HC can fit in with those as well with what appears to be a lot coming back. Lyons and DGN have good looking squads as well
I think with York it will be more a question of replacing Coach Fitz as a playcaller. Defense should be fine but the offesne will be a question.Good lord, how did I even forget to mention DGN and their stud QB?!? What a bloodbath of a conference! Think I know where a few of my Friday nights will be spent this fall.
Regarding York, I don’t foresee a drop-off. The talent that has been reloading last few years is impressive, and they’ve got big time stars on D. Idk if anyone is stopping that Reiff kid.
In the games I saw, the offense was quite vanilla (and very good). No tricks, no bells or whistles… just execution.I think with York it will be more a question of replacing Coach Fitz as a playcaller. Defense should be fine but the offesne will be a question.
time will tell, losing a playcaller and coach like Fitzgerald will have an effect though, especially in the WSSIn the games I saw, the offense was quite vanilla (and very good). No tricks, no bells or whistles… just execution.
PowerI66 - surprised you haven't weighed in on Fremd's expected resurgence this fall. I think they're a 6-3 kinda team and make the playoffs for the first time in years.
Otherwise-
Barrington will live and die by big plays like they often do. I don't think Piepert has the crew around him he had last year so we'll see. Could be 12-1 again, or could be 6-4.
Palatine ought to be one of the best teams around, but after last season they'll need to prove it. By my count they have 7 guys with D1 offers, and younger guys like upcoming juniors Kole Fager, Will Santiago, and Jordan Bostick will all be stars. Like Barrington, ought to be 12-1, but could be 6-4 again.
Hoffman Estates lost some good guys but usually seem to reload well. See them around 6-3 or 5-4 and in the playoffs.
Conant and Schaumburg bringing up the rear.. neither just seems to get the athletes they once did
Fremd will have a new OC. That may complicate thingsPowerI66 - surprised you haven't weighed in on Fremd's expected resurgence this fall. I think they're a 6-3 kinda team and make the playoffs for the first time in years.
Otherwise-
Barrington will live and die by big plays like they often do. I don't think Piepert has the crew around him he had last year so we'll see. Could be 12-1 again, or could be 6-4.
Palatine ought to be one of the best teams around, but after last season they'll need to prove it. By my count they have 7 guys with D1 offers, and younger guys like upcoming juniors Kole Fager, Will Santiago, and Jordan Bostick will all be stars. Like Barrington, ought to be 12-1, but could be 6-4 again.
Hoffman Estates lost some good guys but usually seem to reload well. See them around 6-3 or 5-4 and in the playoffs.
Conant and Schaumburg bringing up the rear.. neither just seems to get the athletes they once did
MS in Week 3!Hersey schedule upgrade
Don't know much about the Mid-Suburban League, but after running the regular-season table two years in a row and playing a marshmallowy non-conference schedule in 2023, Hersey is opening its 2024 season with games vs. traditional 8A powers Warren and Barrington.
Wonder if the last two seasons' success was with a junior-senior group now in college, or if it is still a program on the upswing.
If only freshman football meant that much… 2015 Loyola team was 2-7 as freshman became arguably loyola’s greatest team ever.Palatine Pirates 2024 State Champs
This was the headline to a thread in the fall of 2021.
We are now approaching the 2024 season.
I believe the author of that post wrote about a freshman game in which Palatine beat Loyola by a point. Not. positive but I think that the freshman matchup was in some minds a "2024 state final preview" and was what pushed at least one Pirate backer out of the "we're going to be good in three years" category and into being able to mention Lincoln-Way East, Loyola Academy and Palatine in the same sentence.
Looking forward to see if that poster was correct. If so, gotta wonder how he is at. picking lottery numbers three years in advance!
Hersey's QB just got an offer from UCLAHersey schedule upgrade
Don't know much about the Mid-Suburban League, but after running the regular-season table two years in a row and playing a marshmallowy non-conference schedule in 2023, Hersey is opening its 2024 season with games vs. traditional 8A powers Warren and Barrington.
Wonder if the last two seasons' success was with a junior-senior group now in college, or if it is still a program on the upswing.