It's eye opening for sure but just in this state alone you have 1 Juco playing football for the entire state. The whole infrastructure is not in place etc. unless the college professional football system decides to invest in it.....

We were talking about the media and I am going to go off subject for a minute. But today is a very sad day for me. After today's "Your World with Neil Cavuto," news show, Mr. Cavuto is leaving Fox News after a 28 year run. His was the very first show I watched on that channel in around 2001. He was the first anchor hired by the network. His show and the other show he hosted on Fox Business called "Cavuto: Coast to Coast" were very good shows and he is a major reason I watch that channel. He also hosted a two hour show on Saturday mornings. I remember back when he had open heart surgery years ago and was off the air for a long time. I really missed him and was happy when he returned. He also has multiple sclerosis.

He is mostly a financial guy but did talk about a wide range of subjects which included politics, sports, etc. I thought he was very fair to both sides and that is something that is sorely missing in the media.

My second choice at Fox is Bret Baier for news and Charles Payne for financial news. But Cavuto is a very tough act to follow. Damn. 😔

Here’s a playoff proposal I don’t think I’ve seen yet. Each year let public schools that qualify for the playoffs opt into a public-only playoffs. This allows privates to stay in the IHSA, allows publics that want the competition to continue facing them in the playoffs, and allows those publics that want to face only other publics divisions/classes that the IHSA will seed by enrollment.

There definitely will be several public only classes. If all of the publics opt in so be it. However, I bet this gets us closer to an “open” class where the programs that feel they are best can compete. It will have several highly competitive mixed classes and several public only classes where there won’t be complaining. Everyone wins.

doctor_d said:

Of course there are a lot of similarities, but there are some key differences between larger suburban public schools and the smaller rural ones.

Population/enrollment and general demographics are the biggest.

The post I replied to mentioned a scenario where they were competing against a program that “recruited a dozen or so 8th graders” Previously in the thread, this was defined as recruiting for athletic purposes. He then went on to mention that his school was a “successful” 7A public program.

A school of that size should have much greater potential and ability to develop and field an adequate team than a school of 450 total.

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My reference to 1a - 4a was that IHSA is at fault for their seeding. The IHSA wants broader exposure to the playoff experience. With that you got teams in the final that shouldn’t have been there. Because they were in the final they received some sense of entitlement of being the self imposed public school champion only to be running clocked by a private. When the truth is those schools for the most part shouldn’t have been in the final as evidence by the better quarter and semi match ups the private schools faced.

sac'em said:

You shouldn't guarantee something you have not lived. Unless you have coached at both types of institutions, I think you can make assumptions but not guarantees. Also, what aspects of coaching is easier and better for your public school coaches than what MC and LA have?

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I have.

With zero effort 60 freshman show up every year. The core - at least 30 - have played together for multiple years in the feeder program. They know each other. Every year at least two freshman QBs have ran the offense and know the plays.

The coaches work hard, but they don’t have to stress about numbers or enrollment because it is given to them. They have very good facilities and funding. They don’t have to grind at everything.

ClownBaby said:

Not sure how this hasn’t been brought up already but the Pavia case clears the way for Juco athletes to sue the NCAA. When this case hits if it’s held up it would be truly stupid for any college to waste their time recruiting high school when they can go to a Juco and get a more ready player.

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The opportunities for HS kids to play beyond HS are still there. They may just have a different route. Its not like they have decided to reduce the number of scholarships available.

Also, many Juco kids are there for reasons beyond their physical ability to play sports. Some end up there because they couldnt keep up in the classroom at a D1 school. Some end up there because they couldn't qualify out of HS.

To be fair, why would anyone take a chance on an 18-year-old kid when this guy just picked up two more years of eligibility?

colin2229 said:

Not mandatory that you have to use all the dates.

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Which gets back to protecting coaches from themselves.

cornerrat said:

All.... And since the title of this thread is 2025 Central State Updates that covers everything.....

CONGRATS COACH ! 🍾🏈 On your upcoming induction to the IHSFCA Hall of Fame in March. Ratsy

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thank you rat and rockletnation!

4Afan said:

Pretty sure most teenagers would enjoy the extra days off.

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Not mandatory that you have to use all the dates.

EdgyTim said:

From the IHSFCA

Congratulations to the 2025 Ray Elliot Award winner @EdgyTim

His career contributions to Illinois High School football players make him a very deserving Ray Elliot award winner.

@EdgyTim will be presented his award at the IHSFCA Hall of Fame luncheon!

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sweet! I'll be on the stage with you!

Addison West- 3rd 1st Team All America: AP, Walter Camp & Football Writers- impressive

You are so very deserving of this recognition. Thank you from all of us.

ramblinman said:

Why?

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Of course there are a lot of similarities, but there are some key differences between larger suburban public schools and the smaller rural ones.

Population/enrollment and general demographics are the biggest.

The post I replied to mentioned a scenario where they were competing against a program that “recruited a dozen or so 8th graders” Previously in the thread, this was defined as recruiting for athletic purposes. He then went on to mention that his school was a “successful” 7A public program.

A school of that size should have much greater potential and ability to develop and field an adequate team than a school of 450 total.

firstdown21 said:

My point exactly! That number should be doubled, if not more

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That's just on the roster. I'm sure the number they actually offer is much higher. If I had the option between what WMU gives and NIU, as well as the surrounding area, I'm picking WMU as well.

Well earned and congrats!

doctor_d said:

This statement makes me skeptical about your opinions and ideas pertaining to the 1A-4A publics.

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Why?

Congrats! Well earned and deserved! Here’s to 30 more years of excellence!

Propbet said:

Come on man. That’s weak. Someone recruiting a dozen or so 8th graders per program is somehow stacking the deck in their favor three or four years later? You want separation and all of this drama because of that? Still have to develop the kids, keep them together, keep them in the school, etc.

My son goes to a 7a public school that is successful in football. I guarantee these coaches have it much easier and better than what MC and LA have.

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This statement makes me skeptical about your opinions and ideas pertaining to the 1A-4A publics.

Wassup13 said:

Good prediction.

The Bears still have not recovered from the Hail Mary pass many games ago.

Which shows me there is no leadership in that room.

And players, stop telling me how you are feeling. Tell me how you are going to win.

With your record feelings don't matter anymore.

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You mean you don't want to listen to Cole Kmet's podcast?!

Propbet said:

Come on man. That’s weak. Someone recruiting a dozen or so 8th graders per program is somehow stacking the deck in their favor three or four years later? You want separation and all of this drama because of that? Still have to develop the kids, keep them together, keep them in the school, etc.

My son goes to a 7a public school that is successful in football. I guarantee these coaches have it much easier and better than what MC and LA have.

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You shouldn't guarantee something you have not lived. Unless you have coached at both types of institutions, I think you can make assumptions but not guarantees. Also, what aspects of coaching is easier and better for your public school coaches than what MC and LA have?

crazylegs777 said:

I got crucified on FB saying they’d win 5 games tops. Ofc as you guys well know I don’t know football

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Good prediction.

The Bears still have not recovered from the Hail Mary pass many games ago.

Which shows me there is no leadership in that room.

And players, stop telling me how you are feeling. Tell me how you are going to win.

With your record feelings don't matter anymore.

MMA_Det said:

I wish that the standing up of the O line to draw the D off sides would be eliminated

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Every other state EXCEPT Illinois calls that a false start. Its something many officials have argued for years but apparently the state interpreters have other opinions