2025 Central State Eight Updates.

[tjjrr]

Thanks Rocket Nation. Honestly I don't usually keep track of "all conference" players returning but rather just the general number of players returning. As a rule I think it somewhat works for at least having an idea of how a season might go. I had forgotten about the Senators' RB and receiver that also return, so definitely that's a plus for them.

 

[RoaminCatholic]

All.... Overall quite a bit. On offense among others besides Brody the Senators return their top rb Armanze Lewis 133-669 (5.0) 10 td and receiver Kale Thurman 64-855 (13.5) 7 td. Both will be seniors.

As you can see on the video if you don't wrap up low young Mr. Lewis who is listed at 245lbs you are going to have trouble. 😮‍💨 Ratsy

Armanze Lewis on Hudl

Watch Armanze Lewis's videos and highlights on Hudl. More info: Springfield High School - Springfield High Varsity Football / FB, RB, DE, DT / Class of 2026 / Springfield, IL

www.hudl.com

Hit him early and low... The only time QND struggled with Mr. Lewis was when he crashed through the first two levels untouched or nearly untouched. And while his breakaway speed isn't going to necessarily impress, it's enough to give him 20-40 yard bursts with some smaller corners/safeties/linebackers as casualties along the way. Finding him an o-line that can open the same type of holes for him this year will be the test early.

Thurman is the threat I'm most concerned with. For whatever reason, maybe speed, maybe height, maybe both, maybe the arm it came from... regardless, Thurman can win SHS some ball games. He's who Brody was trying to target late in the 14-9 QND loss. QND had a pair of 6'3 and 6'4 (both of which were on that all-conf list) safeties doubled down on him and he still technically got loose and only an underthrown ball as Brody got clipped from behind saved the Raiders from a possible last second heartbreaker that night. Quick applause for the QND D-line for that one! Phew! But I'm excited to see his progression nonetheless just as a fan of football. He ran pretty good routes last year against us, and he did it multiple ways. Both from the slot and out wide and both coming over the middle and heading down a sideline. Again, I know the QB he has helps, but you still have to get open and then get up an catch a ball and Mr. Thurman does that at an above average level imo. I'd take him on our roster any day or year!

Going to be a battle for 2nd potentially between QND and SHS this season. I think SHS will come in a pretty decent favorite on paper. The upside to this point... game will be played at 10th and Jackson this time.

 

[net-se]

Other than Sheffler coming back at qb, I don't really recall how many SHS brings back. Seems to me they did have a couple sophmores playing up on varsity, though.

the entire o-line, 2 rbs, 2 we's. defensively, I think 6.

 

[cornerrat]

Hit him early and low... The only time QND struggled with Mr. Lewis was when he crashed through the first two levels untouched or nearly untouched. And while his breakaway speed isn't going to necessarily impress, it's enough to give him 20-40 yard bursts with some smaller corners/safeties/linebackers as casualties along the way. Finding him an o-line that can open the same type of holes for him this year will be the test early.

Thurman is the threat I'm most concerned with. For whatever reason, maybe speed, maybe height, maybe both, maybe the arm it came from... regardless, Thurman can win SHS some ball games. He's who Brody was trying to target late in the 14-9 QND loss. QND had a pair of 6'3 and 6'4 (both of which were on that all-conf list) safeties doubled down on him and he still technically got loose and only an underthrown ball as Brody got clipped from behind saved the Raiders from a possible last second heartbreaker that night. Quick applause for the QND D-line for that one! Phew! But I'm excited to see his progression nonetheless just as a fan of football. He ran pretty good routes last year against us, and he did it multiple ways. Both from the slot and out wide and both coming over the middle and heading down a sideline. Again, I know the QB he has helps, but you still have to get open and then get up an catch a ball and Mr. Thurman does that at an above average level imo. I'd take him on our roster any day or year!

Going to be a battle for 2nd potentially between QND and SHS this season. I think SHS will come in a pretty decent favorite on paper. The upside to this point... game will be played at 10th and Jackson this time.

All.... Young Mr. Thurman is sneaky fast with great hands. Runs good routes and in space with his moves is hard to cover. The Cyclones defeated the Senators last year 35 -7. SHS score came on a long td pass to Kale who burned that young SHG defensive secondary. The game by the way was 14-7 at the half before adjustments were made by the Cycs. Ratsy

 

[cornerrat]

Hit him early and low... The only time QND struggled with Mr. Lewis was when he crashed through the first two levels untouched or nearly untouched. And while his breakaway speed isn't going to necessarily impress, it's enough to give him 20-40 yard bursts with some smaller corners/safeties/linebackers as casualties along the way. Finding him an o-line that can open the same type of holes for him this year will be the test early.

Thurman is the threat I'm most concerned with. For whatever reason, maybe speed, maybe height, maybe both, maybe the arm it came from... regardless, Thurman can win SHS some ball games. He's who Brody was trying to target late in the 14-9 QND loss. QND had a pair of 6'3 and 6'4 (both of which were on that all-conf list) safeties doubled down on him and he still technically got loose and only an underthrown ball as Brody got clipped from behind saved the Raiders from a possible last second heartbreaker that night. Quick applause for the QND D-line for that one! Phew! But I'm excited to see his progression nonetheless just as a fan of football. He ran pretty good routes last year against us, and he did it multiple ways. Both from the slot and out wide and both coming over the middle and heading down a sideline. Again, I know the QB he has helps, but you still have to get open and then get up an catch a ball and Mr. Thurman does that at an above average level imo. I'd take him on our roster any day or year!

Going to be a battle for 2nd potentially between QND and SHS this season. I think SHS will come in a pretty decent favorite on paper. The upside to this point... game will be played at 10th and Jackson this time.

All.... Massey preseason score projection. QND 35 SHS 20 (75%) Ratsy

 

[cornerrat]

All... Class projections (postseason) at this time of the year start coming out. As mentioned in another thread I feel like surprises are coming for many schools at that time. Among others possible I was recently told about here are a couple. QND - 3A SHG -4A. Ratsy

 

[RoaminCatholic]

All... Class projections (postseason) at this time of the year start coming out. As mentioned in another thread I feel like surprises are coming for many schools at that time. Among others possible I was recently told about here are a couple. QND - 3A SHG -4A. Ratsy

I wish that were a an upside for QND. But the way 3A has been... one could possibly argue 3A is the tougher draw for a program like us.

 

[cornerrat]

I wish that were a an upside for QND. But the way 3A has been... one could possibly argue 3A is the tougher draw for a program like us.

All.... Raiders appear to hold their own if they went South. Ratsy