EDGYTIM.com's 2021 NIC-10 Conference Predicted Finish
+Hononegah
Harlem
Boylan
Freeport
Rockford East
Belvidere North
Jefferson
Auburn
Guilford
Belvidere
+denotes predicted 2021 conference champion
*denotes IHSA state playoff projected qualifier
They Said It! Quotes from Those Around the NIC-10 Conference
"Hononegah has a ton back on both sides of the lines."
"Harlem still has talent but they graduated a ton of offensive production ."
"Boylan just doesn't look to have the overall numbers and depth they used to have...but I still don't count them out of anything."
"Freeport is getting closer to breaking out."
"Belvidere has a new coach and they are going to go away from the ground and pound they used to run."
"Rockford East has talent but I don't know if they can beat the top teams in the league yet."
Preseason Conference Most Valuable Player?
QB Isaac Whisenand Hononegan-
Isaac Whisenand will be a multi-year starter for the Indians this fall and this could be the best chance for Hononegah to win the NIC-10 and make a strong run in Class 7A. The Indians will rely on a big and physical offensive line and running game to set up the play action passing game led by Whisenand, which should allow him a ton of opportunities to showcase his arm and next level potential.
Toughest Overall Schedule?
No One- Again the NIC_10 is a locked schedule, meaning they play just other NIC-10 teams only. So in theory no one has an overall "tough" schedule. Hopefully some day the powers at the NIC-10 will figure out a way to get at least one true non conference game back on the schedule.
Sleeper Player to Watch?
Rockford East sophomore RB Javis Catlin- Catlin is part of a speedy and athletic skills group for the ERabs NIC-10 observers feel that East could be in line for a state playoff bid this season. Catlin as a freshman this past spring ran for over 10 yards a carry and much more is expected from him this season.
Top 2021 Conference Games?
Harlem at Hononegah- August 27th- Again I'm nit a fan of locked conferences and a bigger fan of NOT having a game this big in the NIC-10 world. A potential NIC-10 championship in Week 1?
Freeport at Hononegah September 10th- Freeport seems to be making progress over the past few seasons, but they still can't get past or over the bigger name programs in the NIC-10? This is a huge test for the Pretzels.
Boylan at Harlem October 1st- These two didn't end up playing in the spring season dur to a Week 6 COVID issue at Boylan and Harlem wanted all of that Boylan smoke on Week 6.
NIC-10 Conference Statement Game?
Round 1 IHSA State Playoffs- The Central Suburban North conference ramped up the non conference schedules a few year back with a crossover series with the Mid Suburban Conference. I love the matchups and in many ways this just helps the North side of the CSL to improve against teams outside of the traditional non conference games. Games for the top teams in the CSL North like Deerfield (Rolling Meadows/Schaumburg) and Vernon Hills (Elk Grove/Hoffman Estates) are great matchup and will help both teams come state playoff time.
+Hononegah
Harlem
Boylan
Freeport
Rockford East
Belvidere North
Jefferson
Auburn
Guilford
Belvidere
+denotes predicted 2021 conference champion
*denotes IHSA state playoff projected qualifier
They Said It! Quotes from Those Around the NIC-10 Conference
"Hononegah has a ton back on both sides of the lines."
"Harlem still has talent but they graduated a ton of offensive production ."
"Boylan just doesn't look to have the overall numbers and depth they used to have...but I still don't count them out of anything."
"Freeport is getting closer to breaking out."
"Belvidere has a new coach and they are going to go away from the ground and pound they used to run."
"Rockford East has talent but I don't know if they can beat the top teams in the league yet."
Preseason Conference Most Valuable Player?
QB Isaac Whisenand Hononegan-
Isaac Whisenand will be a multi-year starter for the Indians this fall and this could be the best chance for Hononegah to win the NIC-10 and make a strong run in Class 7A. The Indians will rely on a big and physical offensive line and running game to set up the play action passing game led by Whisenand, which should allow him a ton of opportunities to showcase his arm and next level potential.
Toughest Overall Schedule?
No One- Again the NIC_10 is a locked schedule, meaning they play just other NIC-10 teams only. So in theory no one has an overall "tough" schedule. Hopefully some day the powers at the NIC-10 will figure out a way to get at least one true non conference game back on the schedule.
Sleeper Player to Watch?
Rockford East sophomore RB Javis Catlin- Catlin is part of a speedy and athletic skills group for the ERabs NIC-10 observers feel that East could be in line for a state playoff bid this season. Catlin as a freshman this past spring ran for over 10 yards a carry and much more is expected from him this season.
Top 2021 Conference Games?
Harlem at Hononegah- August 27th- Again I'm nit a fan of locked conferences and a bigger fan of NOT having a game this big in the NIC-10 world. A potential NIC-10 championship in Week 1?
Freeport at Hononegah September 10th- Freeport seems to be making progress over the past few seasons, but they still can't get past or over the bigger name programs in the NIC-10? This is a huge test for the Pretzels.
Boylan at Harlem October 1st- These two didn't end up playing in the spring season dur to a Week 6 COVID issue at Boylan and Harlem wanted all of that Boylan smoke on Week 6.
NIC-10 Conference Statement Game?
Round 1 IHSA State Playoffs- The Central Suburban North conference ramped up the non conference schedules a few year back with a crossover series with the Mid Suburban Conference. I love the matchups and in many ways this just helps the North side of the CSL to improve against teams outside of the traditional non conference games. Games for the top teams in the CSL North like Deerfield (Rolling Meadows/Schaumburg) and Vernon Hills (Elk Grove/Hoffman Estates) are great matchup and will help both teams come state playoff time.
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