I'm not so sure MTZ would ever commit to the CS8 either... could be wrong, but I don't think they're desperate enough to need the CS8 at this point. Although it would make for a true Macon County 3-way round robin each year... One they would likely be in contention for each season with Mac as Kings of Macon Co. Oops, forgot out our transfer accepting friends from Maroa... They'd likely have something to say about this. I'll pipe down now...
2025 Central State Eight Updates.
- Thread starter cornerrat
- Start date
I've not personally heard who QND has for the scrimmage. I would assume St. T again, perhaps at their new digs so I can catch a peek of "the woods" behind the future methadone clinic. Neat setup, btw St. T folk, excellent use of space honestly. I think the clinic is a terrible idea next to a high school for whatever that's worth.
I do have a question for St. T... and whether or not their JV will remain a (de facto) member of their old home again in '25? Maybe you know the answer to that one?
As for the rest... We take what we get in 4A, we're not exactly a program bidding for contention in that class, so we'd likely be a stepping stone for either of you. With that said, I think many of us who follow and support the program would say a beating from SHG feels far less egregious than losing at anything to the Sprockets.
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I could be wrong but thought Mt Zion might have been offered before, either when Lincoln or Taylorville exited, and declined.
I'd only say I vaguely remember this being mentioned. And if true, just lends to the point...
They're no doormat (MTZ), and that's the thing for me. In my head I tell myself they could absolutely compete in the East... But then I remember that they're looking at it from the standpoint of "well, we're entering here for a shot at 3rd place in the East each year." Plus the immerging Pioneers at U-High and the ever questionable (but viable on occasion) Mac Generals. Not many signing up to take on Rochester and Glenwood guaranteed each season with two 50/50 games each season. Especially not MTZ who often finds themselves in that 5-4/6-3 area where they currently are. I may be wrong about that, I'll have to check their history here shortly.
I should go on record as saying I'd have zero issue with MTZ joining... Heck I sat here and made bids for M-F being a solid addition to the conference after last year's loss to for QND.
But for the league as is, and I know it's not perfect and if QND is the sole reason for that, I apologize. We're just happy to be here and competing. Anyway, I'm more intrigued for what the middle of the conference can do this season. QND, SHS, and U-High all have big years ahead if they want to start lining themselves up as "4th" in the two division era of the league. QND claimed a "one-off" last year in the West, is momentum real? U-High was inches away from greatness it felt like, and can last year be the spring board for that program to finally start pushing the top two in the East annually? SHS has some serious offense returning this year. I was impressed with their discipline a year ago, even more maturity in multiple areas should bode well for them. I'd even say it's a big one for Mac too, they've gotten used to being that lowest rung on the top tier and last year was a bit of a setback. Glenwood and Rochester are going to spend most this season pimping out blowouts and I'd argue SHG on paper should do much the same outside a game or two... The grind in the middle of the CS8 is what's so fun for me. Much more stressful when your program is involved, but still awesome to watch each year. This is what QND signed up for, you don't get to take weeks off in the CS8 if you want to be relevant. Can't ask for more really.
Jersey is planning on joining the Cahokia Conference.
Is that still split into two? IL an MS? If so, I can only presume Jersey will be taking the MS route? Which means Breese, Roxana, and Columbia each year. Still going to be a tough slate for them down there, imo.
For football, the MS division is supposed to include Civic Memorial, Jersey, Waterloo, Freeburg, Breese, Columbia, Roxana and East-Alton
All.... Correct. The then HC of Mt. Zion was for it and made his case and it was a go. But not right away. I don't remember maybe a year or so later a change was made and a new coach arrived. He wanted absolutely no part of it. Ratsy
Correct - Although we do get a small glimpse in Week 2 this year. Rochester @ Mt. Zion - Only the 4th matchup between the two schools since 2009. Rochester leads the series 2-1 in that time.
Unless MTZ have another stash of D1's that were waiting in JV last season... seems a likely Rocket buffet of TD's.
Oof... That's a tough league to jump into for a program on the decline the past 10 years or so. Whilst not full of world-beaters, that's a solid core of "playoff caliber" programs if nothing else. Regardless, a much more feasible fit for Jersey compared to the travel they'd be committing to in the CS8 for equal or worse results each week.
P.s. I hope they're back to themselves this year after a couple odd years for them since 2022, but the fact BMD isn't included in this conference (Cahokia) is a shame, imo.
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Although Mt Zion had a rough outing in last year's 4A final, they return a QB who threw for over 2,800 yards and ran for 600 more, a WR with more than 1,100 yards and 13 TD's, and a 6'7" TE (JC Anderson) who is getting lots of D-1 looks. In total, they return 14 starters, about the same as Rochester. I expect the '25 Rockets to be improved but this has potential to be closely contested.
Nice. I was under the impression that most their big production was graduating. I may have confused them with U-High in my head now that I'm typing this...
Studs... Well then I retract my previous comment and definitely say give 'em hell Braves! Basketball score in play for this one? Or is there a hope that MTZ's defense can diminish some of the Rocket offensive arsenal? I keep thinking the Rockets are due for another explosive year on offense. The Rocket defense in '24 gave up somewhere in the ballpark of 23 ppg... MTZ's offense last year thru 14 games averaged a little over 27 ppg... But then Peoria Notre Dame came to town... what a wild game that was. Maybe that's the key though, study the PND tape and see.
Big question for Rochester is whether the QB will be Senior Beal, Junior Leonard, Soph Gregory or a combo as Derek did last year after Zulauf and Carlson were both lost for the season. My guess is that Beal will mostly play DB, as the Defense really needs him. If that's the case, I would expect both Leonard and Gregory to get snaps, although it may not be 50-50 between them.
All.... That is what I was told. Two qb's (situational) with JP getting most of the snaps. Then Gregory in if running out of the qb positions is needed although defenses need to be wary because he can throw. He will also be used in wo and rb plays. With blowouts Gregory likely will be used heavy. The future of Rocket football with his lightning speed. A tough player to handle next year if allowed to get a lot of varsity seasoning at qb. If I recall Khordell threw a few passes for a couple td's last year. I don't think it will be in 2025 but the battle for who will start next season at qb should be intense. Also it wouldn't surprise me if you see on the field three Gregory's playing at the same time now and then. Ratsy
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Two viable options at QB in the same year is a good problem to have, compared to most programs, imo. I can't imagine as an outsider that running multiple QB's is something DL is most comfortable with, he seems like he'd rather have a clear cut QB1 and mold the rest from there... Will be interesting to watch play out, that I agree with.
This all sounds awful... I mean great! 😇 Kidding, kidding... that's an amazing situation to have for any program. Luckily QND escapes the clutches of Glenwood and Rochester for another year... 😁
All.... I tend to agree with the one qb philosophy. But he has done that several times in the past. With the difference on situational plays. In fact putting in different players on the offense all the way down to freshman covering many different positions.. The Rocket play book is a big one on offense. And the kids are required to learn it. Some better then others by the way. The idea being different looks with new players at any given time in the game. All to create confusion for the defense. Holding ones 'ground" in an assigned area by the D regardless of what offensive look occurs is a must.
I forget the exact number I was told but Rochester has a fairly large cache of new offensive plays throughout the season available that opposing teams haven't seen them used. Which they add on at times. So planning a defensive strategy through game film and scouting while essential doesn't cover it all. As mentioned above defenses need to recognize this and keep all of the new "this and that" in front of them. Ratsy
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All.... Interested to see what college he plays for. Ratsy
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All.... Cian Mahoney (SHG) will play for NIU. Ratsy
Hearing the Decatur public schools are conducting a strategic planning initiative which includes, among other things, considering going from two high schools to one. No recommendations have been made yet and even if approved, have to believe it would take several years to implement. ISBE fall enrollment figures have the two schools at around 1,900 students, while the IHSA football enrollment used in '23 and '24 is closer to 2,200.
All.... This would be kind of a good/bad scenario should this occur. Mac gets every now and then Panthers that bolt and decide to play football for the Generals. Having one school would allow the coaching staff starting at the freshman level to learn whatever system under one roof. Not always but one would assume having that many bodies to now choose from success in the CS8 might rise and become easier.
Of course the bad would be come playoff time using as an example your smaller enrollment number they would be 7A. That would be an adjustment the first few years.
The choice of who would be HC would also be an interesting one. Currently Coach Spates will be starting his 18th year with and overall record of 77 and 87. Would he wait another three years or so in anticipation of this happening?
I would like to see this happen . On paper Decatur football would be stronger. If it happens would they stay in the CS8? If so the conference would have to go searching for another school to add. That could be problematic unless they get out ahead of it. Ratsy
I'm to the point where I'll believe it when it happens. My wife graduated from Mac a while ago now and she's told me countless times the two schools have tried to consolidate over the years and it's always something that deters the move.
The other thing is DPS just pumped in millions of dollars in renovations to both schools over the past 10 years or so... Or am I remembering this wrong? Hard to believe now is the time for this, unless they're considering splitting the grades between buildings... 9-10 at one, 11-12 at other... I guess I could understand it. Mac's football field upgrade just got completed as the season was kicking off last fall though, I'd imagine that's the "venue" of choice in Decatur. It beats Ike's old school setup imo. Parking is always an issue at Mac but it is at QND also, so I can't complain. I do know the school board, again from my wife who works in the district, is considering a major shift in grade alignment and which buildings will be in use. I guess the consolidation of the two high schools falls under this. Didn't realize it when the wife showed me the master plan outline the district provided the public and it's colleagues.
Change is never easy. Due to that, I think the more likely outcome is to keep the schools separate. As you said, both schools have also been renovated recently. Eisenhower did major improvements around 2014-15 and Mac just in the last year or two.
The only way I see this happening is if enrollment continues to decline substantially. If Ike and Mac (combined) fell to around 1,500-1,600 students, a single high school, even if both campuses were still open and utilized, would have enrollment close to Chatham or Springfield. 6A for football and 3A for hoops.
Decatur had 4 public high schools in the early 1980's. Lakeview closed in 1982, and Stephen Decatur closed in 2000.
I remember when the Joliet schools had the same dilemma...closed East then West and Central merged into a combined sports program......huge success was projected for several sports and that never really happened. Worse decision was combining in my opinion...why? Less opportunities for kids to play sports, discouraged many kids from trying out ( see Football and Hoops in particular) and overall was just not a good situation. Separate is the better option unless it's truly a last resort.
To this point, sort of, the Decatur situation now and hesitancy to combine, from what I have always gathered is a result of closing the two other high schools in the past. Crime and confrontation within the schools jumped significantly and they anticipate the same if Ike and Mac ever joined... These two high schools already suffer from what many urban high schools do, no sense in adding more fuel to the fire just yet. My opinion matters very little, just seems like why take the local rivalry away to create a super school that gives you zero chance of postseason success in the future? The Ike/Mac basketball games are usually pretty good. Now I know security for this is a clamp, and probably warranted. The Decatur Turkey Tourney is always a decent one at the old Stephen Decatur gym. The football game has been relatively non-competitive since I've began paying attention, but I know Ike had teams in the past. And it should go without saying, probably, that we're always told by the locals that the best athletes at Ike and Mac are usually in the stands for games, for various reasons.
Out of left field, it just crossed my mind though... Spates is the first choice for a combined football coach in Decatur, btw. For whomever asked that... Not even a 2nd option to ask until Spates gives you a no. He's earned that, imo.
I agree with Rocketnation on this one, let it ride until your enrollment forces your hand and puts you in a better place for postseason. I'd have to ask my wife but I don't know what the financial upside is to combining the two, if it exists. I would assume there has to be some savings involved for it to even be considered. Because the whole goal of this campaign and realignment is for future prosperity as a district, which has to include financial stability, you would think.
All.... 2025 enrollments are up on the Ihsa site. Likely classes after the 256 qualifiers are announced using past numbers. What is tricky here is everyone's numbers have changed a bit which could produce some surprises at that time. Ratsy
QND - 399 (M) 681.00 (4A)
SHG 550 (M) 907.50 (5A)
Normal University 625.00 (4A)
Rochester 681.00 (4A)
Lincoln 758.00 (4A)
Decatur (Eisenhower) 846.00 (4A/5A) On the class bubble.
Jacksonville 859.00 (5A)
Decatur (MacArthur) 1022.00 (5A)
Lanphier 1091.00 (5A)
Southeast 1164.00 (5A)
Springfield 1268.00 (5A/6A) On the class bubble.
Chatham 1400.00 (6A)
QND - 399 (M) 681.00 (4A)
SHG 550 (M) 907.50 (5A)
Normal University 625.00 (4A)
Rochester 681.00 (4A)
Lincoln 758.00 (4A)
Decatur (Eisenhower) 846.00 (4A/5A) On the class bubble.
Jacksonville 859.00 (5A)
Decatur (MacArthur) 1022.00 (5A)
Lanphier 1091.00 (5A)
Southeast 1164.00 (5A)
Springfield 1268.00 (5A/6A) On the class bubble.
Chatham 1400.00 (6A)
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All 9 of the CS8 public schools (w/boundaries) have lost enrollment from the totals used in the last cycle. The biggest losers were Eisenhower (17% less), Springfield (14%), and MacArthur (11%). QND, SHG, and U High (public but non boundary) each have small enrollment gains from the totals used in the last cycle.
All... I forgot about the Crimsons and Pioneers and have added them to the list. Jacksonville is creeping closer to 4A at 859.00. Last year St. Laurence with an averaged enrollment of 844.00 was the largest 4A qualifier. Ratsy
Last year St. Laurence with an enrollment of 2000 was the largest 4A qualifier...fixed it for you. I'm joking obviously.
All.... I remember that talk. 😇 Fwiw showing 1098 and with the multiplier that comes in at 1811.70. On the proverbial bubble 6A/7A . 😱 Ratsy
Definitely goes against the recent trend over the past 2 decades... Glad to see SHG leveling off a bit. I was getting worried, their number dropped more significantly than many other Catholic high schools in the Central IL.
Dang, I wondered when I saw the number for them... That seemed low immediately to me. I always thought Jax was sitting around 1000 kids.
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