Q of the Week: So who is the Preseason #1 ranked IHSA Football Team in Illinois?

[CCHS-Fan]

L’Ville loses a TON of offensive production from 2024. Can’t imagine they’ll be a top team anywhere (conference, area or class).

 

[SiuCubFan8]

That list is obviously heavily weighted, if not fully weighted, on last year.

 

[Dave Brody]

Yep. They have interesting pieces. Great to have a returning QB who showed some ability to make plays, a standout DE, and a LB type who I believe can help out at FB/RB as well. But the sheer volume of needing to replace just under 20 starters puts a strain on a school of around 300 boys.

That schedule is absolutely brutal. They almost didn't make the playoffs last year with a senior laden team and owe their playoff berth to narrow escapes over Fenwick and Marist. PC was close as well.

Replacing Oswego with Glenbard West doesn't seem great to me. That's another game we are likely the underdog, which would be great if the playoffs were already in hand. But with this schedule they're not. Week 1 needs to be an absolute cream puff. So far the only game you circle and say JC is definitely favored is DLS. ND the only other one we may be favored in. Fenwick and PC are tossups at best, but I have to assume they enter the season as favored over JC given how little JC has returning. Really need a soft week 1.

JC had a monster OL in 2024 - who they will miss in 2025. I think their D is gonna be good. Expect JC to kick a lot of FG’s this year.

 

[cornerrat]

All.... Massey preseason top 20 for your viewing and lamenting enjoyment. Ratsy

1. Loyola
2. Mt. Carmel
3. ESTL
4. LWE
5. Brother Rice
6. Marist
7. JCA
8. Batavia
9. York
10. St. Rita
11. DGN
12. Nazareth
13. Maine South
14. Lyons
15 Naperville Central
16. Fenwick
17. Geneva
18 CG
19. Glenbard West
20. St. Charles North

 

[MMA_Det]

I don’t necessarily agree with the order of the top 4 but I do believe that 3 of the top 4 are in 8A

 

[Silver Rain]

MC will play LA twice. Hard for either to win both.

 

[MMA_Det]

MC will play LA twice. Hard for either to win both games.

What week is the in season game?

 

[MCCaravan6410]

MC will play LA twice. Hard for either to win both games.

Are we scrimmaging LA?

 

[Silver Rain]

What week is the in season game?

Recently the ninth and last, but previously in early fall.

Are we scrimmaging LA?

CCL Blue, then good chance in playoffs.

 

[StL_Alum]

What week is the in season game?

2025 CCL schedules for weeks 3-9 will mirror last years with home sites changed. Game will be at Loyola week 9.

 

[GoBlers]

I would counter with, wondering if they have had more kids playing up than historically? Just a thought.

Very true. Freshman qb and receiver playing soph last year. Along with a LB I coached in grade school. Soph class is a bit weak. Frosh class is loaded.

 

[GoBlers]

I've noticed the same and have wondered if this could be the result of a growing DePaul Prep, as Loyola has traditionally drawn students from all across the northside of the city.

DePaul Prep's enrollment of around 1,350 is double what it was when they moved to their new campus five years ago. While I think that Loyola's enrollment has remained stable, it wouldn't surprise me at all if some student athletes who, up until DePaul's resurgence would have gone to Loyola, are now choosing to study and participate in athletics closer to home at DePaul Prep.

I couldn't be happier for Pat Mahoney, the current DePaul Prep AD. Pat was the former Loyola AD who went to DePaul Prep after being made the fall guy for something out of his control at Loyola. I believe that the successful athletics program he has built since being hired at DPP in 2018 has been a key driver of enrollment growth for the school.

Mahoney got screwed over by Loyola when they fired him. However, I disagree on the talent front. DCP isn’t stealing anyone of note from Loyola IMO, maybe some of the program players but none of the studs. Just look at loyolas freshman class. Loyola still has 120+ on the roster so I think they’ll be okay. And they still have the best defensive scheme in the state.

 

[Wittymoniker1]

All.... Massey preseason top 20 for your viewing and lamenting enjoyment. Ratsy

1. Loyola
2. Mt. Carmel
3. ESTL
4. LWE
5. Brother Rice
6. Marist
7. JCA
8. Batavia
9. York
10. St. Rita
11. DGN
12. Nazareth
13. Maine South
14. Lyons
15 Naperville Central
16. Fenwick
17. Geneva
18 CG
19. Glenbard West
20. St. Charles North

Rita's first three games? #2, #5 & #6. LOL! Go Mustangs!!!!

 

[Jenny27]

What week is the in season game?

9

 

[McCaravan]

All.... Massey preseason top 20 for your viewing and lamenting enjoyment. Ratsy

1. Loyola
2. Mt. Carmel
3. ESTL
4. LWE
5. Brother Rice
6. Marist
7. JCA
8. Batavia
9. York
10. St. Rita
11. DGN
12. Nazareth
13. Maine South
14. Lyons
15 Naperville Central
16. Fenwick
17. Geneva
18 CG
19. Glenbard West
20. St. Charles North

I know these are pretty heavily disputed each season and shouldn't be held too high regard, and while I think Marist will surprise people, unless they got a big name transfer in, I don't see them in the top 12 to start the year.