It seems like each year it comes down to the Mac and Jville game with winner getting a playoff spot. The importance of this game is probably the function of closed conference and these teams consistently finishing 5th and 6th in conference. Occasionally, one will sneak up to 4th if either SHS or Glenwood have an off year.
CS8 Fall Schedule
- Thread starter rocketnation
- Start date
Both their non-conference opponents were 3-6 last season (Bloomington for Mac and Peoria Notre Dame for Jacksonville) but have had good teams in past years.
All.... The non cons potentially could be a positive for some CS8 teams that make postseason play. Playing a big 12 team that ends up 9-0, 8-1 or even 7-2 could get you more playoff points and possibly a better seed when the qualifiers are announced. Not a bad thing. Ratsy
All.... I know it's crazy early talking postseason . Anyway.... With 4A having a different look then the past two years I don't see anyone slowing the Rockets down this year to prevent them from being the "southern" 16 bracket representative into the final at ISU.
Out of the north one of the top contenders should be of course Richmond-Burton. Working the numbers again there may be another. I have them at a better then 50% chance of going 4A. The Knights from ICC. Multiplied they come in at 608. An outside chance to end up in 3A but likely into 4A as one one the smaller teams.
The hitch though is their brutal schedule. Among others they will play Nazareth, St. Francis and Loyola. The opener will be a w and I haven't been able to locate a week two game. The Knights will have to stay healthy through the season playing for the most part large punishing Catholic teams. Also last year having many more two way players then what is comfortable. Can't have that. If they qualify and the Knights are not too banged up this team will be a very tough out in the north bracket. Head to head I like them over Richmond-Burton. Adding to the fun the enrollment at R.B has dropped to 572.5. They could go 3A as well. Enrollment for the 4A qualifiers in 2022 - 560.00-858.00. Ratsy P.S. I would like to see an ICC/Rochester 4A final.
Edit - According to the Ihsa schedule ICC is still looking for a week two game.
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All..... I had heard and looking at the Ihsa schedule the week six double header that was scheduled for Saturday the 30th now appears to be down to one. Southeast @ Springfield that was going to play at 1pm is now listed for Friday the 29th.
The Rochester/Lanphier game at 7pm will be the lone Saturday game. That saves one big mess for parking if the two games would of been played. There was little space available for cars before and now with the rehab of the stadium even less. (unless "one" gets there several hours early for a good spot to set up a tailgate lol) The Rockets td club with that big motor home they tool around in might consider arriving early. 🍔🌭🚎 Ratsy
The Rochester/Lanphier game at 7pm will be the lone Saturday game. That saves one big mess for parking if the two games would of been played. There was little space available for cars before and now with the rehab of the stadium even less. (unless "one" gets there several hours early for a good spot to set up a tailgate lol) The Rockets td club with that big motor home they tool around in might consider arriving early. 🍔🌭🚎 Ratsy
Anyone is Springfield know the deal with the construction at Memorial Stadium? Last I was there, week of the 4th, it was a mess on N. Grand in front of Robin Roberts/Memorial/Lanphier. If you thought there was no parking before... woof! Looks cool and all, but will it be finished in a month for the season? Have they even once put parking into the thought process that is this upgrade? I assume they let people park at the state building a block or two away, right? Are they going to widen N. Grand at all? When does the construction on the train tracks begin, assuming the plan is still to eliminate a crossing there?
Edit: Ratsy... I've only been to a handful of games at Memorial... is it easier just to park at the Bingo Hall on 9th and Converse? Is that allowed? I don't want Carita's having me towed now...
Edit: Ratsy... I've only been to a handful of games at Memorial... is it easier just to park at the Bingo Hall on 9th and Converse? Is that allowed? I don't want Carita's having me towed now...
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All.... I would imagine especially on Friday that bingo hall is a busy place and parking there might be an issue. I have always gotten to the stadium lot so early I have my pick of spots to set up the tailgate tent. You are correct there will be less stadium parking. The Lucky Horseshoe baseball team will be done for the season. So from their ticket booth heading east to the tracks that is good for about 75 cars. Lanphier High School will have parking on the north grand side as well. How much hard to tell with all that construction. Also I know in the past that people park at the state EPA building next to McDonalds with no problem. On the Converse side starting at 11th street several blocks of on street parking both sides heading east as well. A couple of side streets intersect in that area for neighborhood spots.. At the back corner of Converse by the tracks where the basketball court are at another 25 spaces. Ratsy
All.... Hold the boat here is another team that will be in the 4A mix. Boylan Catholic with the waiver now 4A. Likely the favorite in taking the NIC10 returning the qb, 2 rb's and 2 receivers all productive starters last season. And this season hosting the Blue Thunder. Geography suggests a northern postseason placement. We will see. Ratsy
All.... Congrats to Jack. I see he has a freshman brother listed on the Rocket roster. What could of been at SHS. 🏈 Ratsy
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Rochester’s Swaney Verbally Commits to Northern Illinois Baseball
Rochester 2024 graduate Jack Swaney verbally committed to Northern Illinois University baseball on Tuesday, we caught up with the lefty on Wednesday to discuss his decision. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
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There are quite a few freshmen this year with familiar last names for Rocket fans: Swaney, DuRocher, Buecker, Leonard, Mrozowski, and Zulauf, and I might have missed more legacies. The expectations for this freshman class are probably as high as any since the Nic Baker/Mikey McNicholas/Sean Brewer class of '18.All.... Congrats to Jack. I see he has a freshman brother listed on the Rocket roster. What could of been at SHS. 🏈 Ratsy
Rochester’s Swaney Verbally Commits to Northern Illinois Baseball
Rochester 2024 graduate Jack Swaney verbally committed to Northern Illinois University baseball on Tuesday, we caught up with the lefty on Wednesday to discuss his decision. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
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Thanks, jotapepe. Looks nice! Far cry from the Peoria Stadium I played at while playing at QND '03-'06.
Per Edgy Tim, Decatur MacArthur freshman Myson Johnson-Cook has already received a scholarship offer from the U of I before playing a down of high school football. He is listed as a 6'3" 203 pound RB/DB. Sounds like this young man could be the most athletically gifted General since the Brummett twins. Should be a huge plus for the Mac program.
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All.... Best time in the 100 meter 10.97. That is moving. It will be interesting to see how hard they work him with varsity playing time as a freshman. I imagine quite a bit since Mac at times has struggled with player numbers. Ratsy P.S. He would look good in a Bulldogs uniform and one can only imagine how much damage on the field he could do in class 2A. 🤯
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From what I've gathered, this kids is a force. I'm glad he's chosen to play for Spates. Man's done a lot of good and gotten a lot of boys to commit to that program in recent years. Ratsy just doesn't want another "oops" upset game like we've seen in the past...
Outside of Glenwood and SHS I believe Mac is the only program in the CS8 currently to have toppled the mighty Rockets and Cyclones, albeit some years ago now.All.... And so it begins. Ratsy
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Sacred Heart Griffin football under a new head coach heading into the 2023 season
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) -- Sacred Heart Griffin football has a new face calling the plays this fall.
All.... Let the games begin! Ratsy 🏈🏈🏈
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Channel1450 Pigskin Preview Hype Video Preview 2023
August 6, 2023 – the Channel1450 Pigskin Preview hype video will be dropping. Sunday night starts the fall season for us and we’ll be out at practices next week and dropping Pigskin Previews preparing for
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All.... Calling rocketnation. It was mentioned on 1450 AM today the Rochester board has approved athletic facility upgrades. Included will be Rocket Booster Stadium. I had heard years ago talk about turf but nothing towards increasing seating capacity. Anything specific on the football complex that you know about? Ratsy
There was a pretty good story in the weekly paper discussing the school board meeting from the last week of July approving facility improvements. Here is a summary concerning football: a new turf field, additional bleachers, new lights, and a new entrance to the field. The changes are supposed to add 320 seats to the home side of the field. Nothing mentioned on adding visitor seating. The football changes will also involve some adjustments to the baseball field and the tennis courts. There is a separate private funding source for a new scoreboard. Everything else is being funded from the county sales tax. No work is anticipated until after the season. Not sure if the changes will be concluded in time for next season.
Yeah, some added bleachers would go a long way at Booster... Hopefully it doesn't get botched like the arena bleachers situation.... 😇
The Rockets going all "Fancy-pants!" Can't wait to see it all completed! Long overdue, from those of us on the outside of Rochester.
All.... The Cyclones. Ratsy
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Pigskin Preview 2023: Sacred Heart Griffin Cyclones
School: SHG Mascot: Cyclones Head Coach: John Allison Years at School: 21 Overall Record: 0-0 Assistant Coaches: Doug Martin, Jim McMann, Chris Flaggs, Chris Rouse, Chad Anderson, Todd Chance, Tom Fiaush, Dan Schafer, Pat Smith, Mike
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All.... The Pioneers. Ratsy
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Pigskin Preview 2023: Normal U-High Pioneers
School: University High School Mascot: Pioneers Head Coach: Brody Walworth Years at School: 3 Overall Record: 30-31 Assistant Coaches: Brody Ceh, Nick Cottone, Nathan Desmet, Jake Gates, Mason Kaufmann, Nate Logsdon, Alec Mudra, Chris Pedersen, Lance Tinsley,
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I'm impressed that U High has got their program numbers up and seems to be attracting some multi-sport athletes. They haven't had much success historically in getting players from two of their more successful programs, Baseball and Basketball, out for Football. U High did graduate QB Colin Cunningham who was responsible for most of their offense last year. He will be hard to replace.All.... The Pioneers. Ratsy
Pigskin Preview 2023: Normal U-High Pioneers
School: University High School Mascot: Pioneers Head Coach: Brody Walworth Years at School: 3 Overall Record: 30-31 Assistant Coaches: Brody Ceh, Nick Cottone, Nathan Desmet, Jake Gates, Mason Kaufmann, Nate Logsdon, Alec Mudra, Chris Pedersen, Lance Tinsley,
All.... The Rockets. Ratsy
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Pigskin Preview 2023: Rochester Rockets
School: Rochester Mascot: Rockets Head Coach: Derek Leonard Years at School: 18 Overall Record: 184-36 Assistant Coaches: Last Year’s Conference Record: 8-1 Last Year’s Overall Record: 11-2 Postseason: Semifinals School State Championships: 8 School Conference Championships: 5 Biggest Rival Game...
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The last three times Rochester has lost in the playoffs, they have scored more than 40 points but given up at least 49. With 6 returning starters and each of the new starters likely to have already had considerable varsity experience, the Rockets will go as far this year as the Defense can take them. They certainly face a challenging test Week 1 at Peoria.All.... The Rockets. Ratsy
Pigskin Preview 2023: Rochester Rockets
School: Rochester Mascot: Rockets Head Coach: Derek Leonard Years at School: 18 Overall Record: 184-36 Assistant Coaches: Last Year’s Conference Record: 8-1 Last Year’s Overall Record: 11-2 Postseason: Semifinals School State Championships: 8 School Conference Championships: 5 Biggest Rival Game...
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All.... I heard a few months ago that Rochester had in the fold several capable qb's. The first thing I looked at (even before the video) when the Rochester preview popped up was what position they would have listed for Parker Gillespie. So I thought maybe not qb.
No way I would give up over 1100 yards in catches as a JR no less and put him in the #1 spot. And the kid can run as well in the rb slot. Doesn't mean he won't qb every now and then but playing defense as well it's not really necessary. Rochester going to score more points then usual this year and from the sound of it is going to have a stingy defense. Ratsy
No way I would give up over 1100 yards in catches as a JR no less and put him in the #1 spot. And the kid can run as well in the rb slot. Doesn't mean he won't qb every now and then but playing defense as well it's not really necessary. Rochester going to score more points then usual this year and from the sound of it is going to have a stingy defense. Ratsy
Juniors Bryan Zulauf and Eli Carlson could see playing time at QB. Both got some varsity playing experience last year, mostly at RB. Zulauf was very good at the Chatham 7 on 7. Carlson has a strong arm and is an excellent pitcher for the baseball team.
All.... The Generals. Ratsy
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Pigskin Preview 2023: MacArthur Generals
(Form not returned) School: MacArthur Mascot: Generals Head Coach: Derek Spates Years at School: Overall Record: Assistant Coaches: Last Year’s Conference Record: 5-4 Last Year’s Overall Record: 5-5 Postseason: School State Championships: School Conference Championships: Biggest Rival Game
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All.... The Spartans. Ratsy
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Pigskin Preview 2023: Southeast Spartans
School: Southeast Mascot: Spartans Head Coach: Michael T. Kinkade Years at School: 6 Overall Record: 0-0 Assistant Coaches: Tony Webster, Brandon Miller, Marcus Bates, Jarrett Anderson, Ryan Moldenhauer, Tyler Altfillisch, Nate Borders Last Year’s Conference Record: 1-8 Last Year’s Overall...
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The Generals should get to at least 5 wins this season, as they will be clear favorites against all three 2022 1-8 CS8 teams and U High and have a good chance against both Jacksonville and Bloomington. My question is whether they can move closer to the projected top 4 teams in the conference (Rochester, SHG, Chatham, and Springfield). Last season, they beat Springfield with a dramatic late comeback but were blown out by SHG, Rochester, and Chatham.All.... The Generals. Ratsy
Pigskin Preview 2023: MacArthur Generals
(Form not returned) School: MacArthur Mascot: Generals Head Coach: Derek Spates Years at School: Overall Record: Assistant Coaches: Last Year’s Conference Record: 5-4 Last Year’s Overall Record: 5-5 Postseason: School State Championships: School Conference Championships: Biggest Rival Game
All.... Yes I have the Generals as well a distinct favorite for five and a possible chance for more. It's always a major dig to get any kind of preseason info on Mac to come up with an informed overall opinion. This season is no different. The Herald & Review doesn't even get much. Ratsy
All.... The Panthers. Ratsy
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Pigskin Preview 2023: Eisenhower Panthers
School: Decatur Eisenhower Mascot: Panthers Head Coach: DaJuan Johnson Years at School: 10 Overall Record: Assistant Coaches: Last Year’s Conference Record: 1-8 Last Year’s Overall Record: 1-8 Postseason: School State Championships:
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All.... The Railspitters. Ratsy
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Pigskin Preview 2023: Lincoln Railsplitters
School: Lincoln Mascot: Railsplitters Head Coach: Matt Silkowski Years at School: 8 years Overall Record: 18-42 Assistant Coaches: Josh Adams, Rob Buchanan, Austin Brummett, Tank Cannon, Nathan Lieber, Chuck McFadden, Jared Merriman, Matt Vlahovich Last Year’s Conference
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Lincoln has the longest playoff drought of any CS8 team, having not made it since 1984. Looking at their schedule, they play four teams in the first five weeks that were 1-8 last year. If they can win each of those games (possible, but not a lock), the Week 8 game against U High could decide whether they make the playoffs for the first time in nearly 40 years.All.... The Railspitters. Ratsy
Pigskin Preview 2023: Lincoln Railsplitters
School: Lincoln Mascot: Railsplitters Head Coach: Matt Silkowski Years at School: 8 years Overall Record: 18-42 Assistant Coaches: Josh Adams, Rob Buchanan, Austin Brummett, Tank Cannon, Nathan Lieber, Chuck McFadden, Jared Merriman, Matt Vlahovich Last Year’s Conference
Ratsy, I see 5 CS8 teams who should make the playoffs and the possibility of 1 more getting in. The last team in will need some luck to make it. What do you think?
All.... Yes sir. The non cons have to go well. Should Normal U and SHS falter in a bad way as mentioned six is also possible. Ratsy
