EDGYTIM.com's 2021 Upstate 8 Conference Predicted Finish
+South Elgin
*Glenbard South
*Bartlett
*Glenbard East
*Elgin
Streamwood
East Aurora
Larkin
Fenton
West Chicago
+denotes predicted 2021 conference champion
*denotes IHSA state playoff projected qualifier
They Said It! Quotes from Those Around the Upstate 8 Conference
"South Elgin is going to be one of the top teams again."
"South Elgin will be really strong."
"Glenbard South was close the last few years and this could be that year they break though."
"Bartlett is really starting to build up that program."
"(Glenbard) East has some solid kids coming back this fall."
"Elgin will need to replace some key kids but they always have talent especially in the skills."
"Streamwood could be a nice sleeper pick."
Preseason Conference Most Valuable Player?
Glenbard South senior RB Trevor Burnett
Trevor Burnett, who will be a rare 4 year starting running back at Glenbard South this fall is a speedy and powerful game breaking back who needs to be accounted for on every carry. Burnett has several FCS level offers this summer and will play at a very high level on Saturday's next fall.
Toughest Overall Schedule?
None- The Upstate 8 is a locked conference, meaning that the schools in this conference play against each other only. Is it time to split up the Upstate 10.....I mean 8 into two 5 team divisions and start allowing teams to schedule a few true non conference games?
Sleeper Player to Watch?
South Elgin sophomore QB Jacob Sullivan- Sullivan takes over the Storm's offense this fall as former starting QB Ben Karpowicz will focus on baseball (Illinois State baseball commit). South Elgin has a ton of key names back this season (5 offense 7 defense) and the key will be if Sullivan can settle into the varsity level. Sullivan has a big arm with very good touch and he has a chance to put up some big numbers this fall.
Top 2021 Conference Games?
Bartlett at Glenbard South August 27th- Again two of the top Upstate 8 teams squaring off in Week 1. Hate the fact that a game with this much on the line is Week 1...but it is what it is.
Glenbard South at South Elgin September 10th- Another early key game in the Upstate 8 here. Will both teams have settled in from the early regular season issues and corrections by the time this game comes around?
South Elgin at Bartlett October 15th- Another key later game in the Upstate 8 conference race and I can also see this game having IHSA state playoff seeding implications as well.
Upstate 8 Conference Statement Game?
Round 1 of the IHSA State Playoff Field- Again trying to judge just how good (or not) the teams from the Upstate 8 are compared to the rest of the Chicagoland teams is a bit more difficult coming out of the Upstate 8. The only real guide we have is the IHSA state playoffs, and in general the Upstate 8 teams over the years has not fared well in the post-season. I would love to see the Upstate 8 find a way to get out of the locked conference and start to see just how well (or not) they play against teams outside of the Upstate 10 bubble.
+South Elgin
*Glenbard South
*Bartlett
*Glenbard East
*Elgin
Streamwood
East Aurora
Larkin
Fenton
West Chicago
+denotes predicted 2021 conference champion
*denotes IHSA state playoff projected qualifier
They Said It! Quotes from Those Around the Upstate 8 Conference
"South Elgin is going to be one of the top teams again."
"South Elgin will be really strong."
"Glenbard South was close the last few years and this could be that year they break though."
"Bartlett is really starting to build up that program."
"(Glenbard) East has some solid kids coming back this fall."
"Elgin will need to replace some key kids but they always have talent especially in the skills."
"Streamwood could be a nice sleeper pick."
Preseason Conference Most Valuable Player?
Glenbard South senior RB Trevor Burnett
Trevor Burnett, who will be a rare 4 year starting running back at Glenbard South this fall is a speedy and powerful game breaking back who needs to be accounted for on every carry. Burnett has several FCS level offers this summer and will play at a very high level on Saturday's next fall.
Toughest Overall Schedule?
None- The Upstate 8 is a locked conference, meaning that the schools in this conference play against each other only. Is it time to split up the Upstate 10.....I mean 8 into two 5 team divisions and start allowing teams to schedule a few true non conference games?
Sleeper Player to Watch?
South Elgin sophomore QB Jacob Sullivan- Sullivan takes over the Storm's offense this fall as former starting QB Ben Karpowicz will focus on baseball (Illinois State baseball commit). South Elgin has a ton of key names back this season (5 offense 7 defense) and the key will be if Sullivan can settle into the varsity level. Sullivan has a big arm with very good touch and he has a chance to put up some big numbers this fall.
Top 2021 Conference Games?
Bartlett at Glenbard South August 27th- Again two of the top Upstate 8 teams squaring off in Week 1. Hate the fact that a game with this much on the line is Week 1...but it is what it is.
Glenbard South at South Elgin September 10th- Another early key game in the Upstate 8 here. Will both teams have settled in from the early regular season issues and corrections by the time this game comes around?
South Elgin at Bartlett October 15th- Another key later game in the Upstate 8 conference race and I can also see this game having IHSA state playoff seeding implications as well.
Upstate 8 Conference Statement Game?
Round 1 of the IHSA State Playoff Field- Again trying to judge just how good (or not) the teams from the Upstate 8 are compared to the rest of the Chicagoland teams is a bit more difficult coming out of the Upstate 8. The only real guide we have is the IHSA state playoffs, and in general the Upstate 8 teams over the years has not fared well in the post-season. I would love to see the Upstate 8 find a way to get out of the locked conference and start to see just how well (or not) they play against teams outside of the Upstate 10 bubble.
