Not sure who comes up with the Rocket slogans, maybe the football moms? This Senior class has never been to a state final, losing their Freshman year to COVID and the last two years in the semi’s to SHG. The last Rochester class to not go to at least one final was 2010. They do return the most in the conference, but the Rockets will miss and probably can’t replace the power running of Reiss and Lichtenberger.
SHG does have a major rebuild but if it must happen, this is a good year for it in my view. The three other returning playoff teams besides SHG and Rochester (Chatham, Jacksonville, and MacArthur) are all rebuilding too. Chatham will be better by ‘24 but they will struggle to get 7 wins like they did in ‘22. The Titans were hit hard by graduation, particularly at the skill positions. The Crimsons have to replace QB Owens and have big holes on defense along with depth issues. Mac was just average last year and gave up lots of points. The Crimsons and Generals could both struggle to make the playoffs in ‘23.
Springfield is the one school which could improve significantly from last year. Paul Hartman may be the most experienced returning QB in the CS8. They do need a major upgrade on defense, which has been weak the last two seasons. The Senators have good program numbers and frosh and JV teams, which many conference programs do not have. They should make the playoffs but will their record be 5-4, 6-3, or 7-2?
At this point, I just don’t see much from Lincoln, U High, Ike, Southeast, and Lanphier.