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.

 

[MMA_Det]

Marist has got to break through… year after year they seem to fall short of people’s expectations

 

[crusader_of_90]

Marist has got to break through… year after year they seem to fall short of people’s expectations

Not mine.

 

[godfthr53]

No doubt LA, ESL, and SR are doing it because they like to play up as much as possible. LA benefitted a few times just by happenstance, but they weren't avoiding MC. It is just unfortunate that it gave both teams a "lighter" route the last few years, though there was certainly no avoidance intended. ESL we know will play anyone. SR is the headscratcher in that they petition up, but would seem to be perfectly competitive in 5A and 6A most years. So props to them for wanting to stretch beyond that.

Why do we keep saying SR petitioning up. When was the last time that even happened. They were in the 5A title game very recently.

 

[4Afan]

Why do we keep saying SR petitioning up. When was the last time that even happened. They were in the 5A title game very recently.

Every year since then. They played in the 5A title game in 2019, every year since then they petioned up and have played in 7A

 

[cornerrat]

Every year since then. They played in the 5A title game in 2019, every year since then they petioned up and have played in 7A

All..... Not many do. I remember the Steve Soucie article on them from 2023. At that time petitioning up was for two years. The school stated that fearing a large drop of enrollment which likely would put them in the postseason class 6A they would go ahead an playin 7A. If I recall correctly some on this board ripped them for hiding out from the Flyers .

The Mustangs 2025 enrollment is 872. I think I have this correct. That figure is what I call the double whammy for having an all male private school. (436x2) So the multiplier comes next 1.65 putting them at 1438.80. Using past traditional playoff numbers that would put them in 6A. One would expect them to again petition up. Ratsy

 

[JCHillmen]

Every year since then. They played in the 5A title game in 2019, every year since then they petioned up and have played in 7A

Yes SR petitioning up is an interesting one. Kind of puzzling after getting smacked around by Rochester, a perennial 4A power that was bumped up to 5A one year, that they felt the need to abdicate the 5A/6A bubble and head to 7A.

I assume it is simply a case of 3-4 peer schools (MC, SR, BR, and to a lesser degree Marist) all playing in 7A or sometimes 8A and St. Rita feeling the pressure to be in the same playground as those peers they recruit against.

That said, if they won 5A or 6A, that would likely be better for the school than a 7A second round exit as long as the team was competitive with their neighborhood rivals when they played.

I will say that next year is an interesting. If they are a natural 6A, petitioning up to a 7A devoid of MC would help get them into a class far more forgiving than 8A or 6A with ESL and a large number of blue blood programs. Would love to see them play in and win 5A or 6A at least once before they decide they need a bigger sandbox because I think those SR-ESL or SR-Naz or SR-Cary Grove games would be great.

 

[godfthr53]

Every year since then. They played in the 5A title game in 2019, every year since then they petioned up and have played in 7A

 

[Alexander32]

Marist has got to break through… year after year they seem to fall short of people’s expectations

Marist is the number one team in the state this year.

 

[RollSaders]

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.

As a "crosstown rival," I'm impressed by their HC (Fitzgerald). He was a good offensive coach during his first stint at Marist, and it seems like he got things going in the right direction at York after that.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

As a "crosstown rival," I'm impressed by their HC (Fitzgerald). He was a good offensive coach during his first stint at Marist, and it seems like he got things going in the right direction at York after that.

Ya, he is a really good coach, no question about that.

 

[Wittymoniker1]

All..... Not many do. I remember the Steve Soucie article on them from 2023. At that time petitioning up was for two years. The school stated that fearing a large drop of enrollment which likely would put them in the postseason class 6A they would go ahead an playin 7A. If I recall correctly some on this board ripped them for hiding out from the Flyers .

The Mustangs 2025 enrollment is 872. I think I have this correct. That figure is what I call the double whammy for having an all male private school. (436x2) So the multiplier comes next 1.65 putting them at 1438.80. Using past traditional playoff numbers that would put them in 6A. One would expect them to again petition up. Ratsy

I personally think if 6A was 1-32 seeding, then St. Rita would stay in 6A. Since 6A is a southern/northern thing, having to play ESL in the early rounds is not so desirable. This is my opinion only.

 

[Wittymoniker1]

Yes SR petitioning up is an interesting one. Kind of puzzling after getting smacked around by Rochester, a perennial 4A power that was bumped up to 5A one year, that they felt the need to abdicate the 5A/6A bubble and head to 7A.

I assume it is simply a case of 3-4 peer schools (MC, SR, BR, and to a lesser degree Marist) all playing in 7A or sometimes 8A and St. Rita feeling the pressure to be in the same playground as those peers they recruit against.

That said, if they won 5A or 6A, that would likely be better for the school than a 7A second round exit as long as the team was competitive with their neighborhood rivals when they played.

I will say that next year is an interesting. If they are a natural 6A, petitioning up to a 7A devoid of MC would help get them into a class far more forgiving than 8A or 6A with ESL and a large number of blue blood programs. Would love to see them play in and win 5A or 6A at least once before they decide they need a bigger sandbox because I think those SR-ESL or SR-Naz or SR-Cary Grove games would be great.

Rita has always basically been a 7A school. I think the staff is used to it, and as of recently have done quite well in 7A.

2021-22: Championship game vs. WN
2022-23: Semifinal loss to MC--very close game
2023-24: 1st Round loss to MC (bad draw)
2024-25: Semifinal loss to MC

With 6A being broken up by geography, SR would definitely see powerhouse ESL probably in the early rounds every year--both in the southern bracket. Pick your poison: ESL or MC?

With 7A being 1 - 32 seeding, having to face MC in the earlier rounds is less likely, although in 2023, that wasn't the case.

Also, I know the staff and fans love playing against schools in the DuKane and some of the northern conferences--and 7A allows that to happen. See Geneva, SCN, Prospect among others.

I do agree that SR having the chance to play Cary Grove, ESL, PR would be awesome. I just wished 6A was 1 - 32 seeding.

 

[dapiech]

For the 2nd year in a row, at least two Dukane teams will most likely make a run and be in the mix Thanksgiving weekend. Keep your eye on WWS, which will have its best senior class in 10 years.

 

[USD24]

For the 2nd year in a row, at least two Dukane teams will most likely make a run and be in the mix Thanksgiving weekend. Keep your eye on WWS, which will have its best senior class in 10 years.

I feel like we have been told to keep an eye on WWS every year for the last decade by someone, and I have yet to see the results.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

I feel like we have been told to keep an eye on WWS every year for the last decade by someone, and I have yet to see the results.

Same…

 

[Silver Rain]

Keep your eye on WWS

I'd say they're due.

 

[dapiech]

I feel like we have been told to keep an eye on WWS every year for the last decade by someone, and I have yet to see the results.

Yeah, it's been a while since they made a run, and they've mostly been middle of the pack for 10 years. 2018 was a solid year at 10-2, and really, the last time they had the extra gear. (8-4 in 2019, but just above average there)

This year could be different, but their success may hinge on their newer coaching staff, which took over 4 years ago. The jury is still out as to whether they have what it takes, like the previous staff. They've struggled to take their teams to the next level despite having lots of talent.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

Yeah, it's been a while since they made a run, and they've mostly been middle of the pack for 10 years. 2018 was a solid year at 10-2, and really, the last time they had the extra gear. (8-4 in 2019, but just above average there)

This year could be different, but their success may hinge on their newer coaching staff, which took over 4 years ago. The jury is still out as to whether they have what it takes, like the previous staff. They've struggled to take their teams to the next level despite having lots of talent.

With all due respect, have they really had "lots of talent"?

 

[cornerrat]

I personally think if 6A was 1-32 seeding, then St. Rita would stay in 6A. Since 6A is a southern/northern thing, having to play ESL in the early rounds is not so desirable. This is my opinion only.

All.... There was language in the Ihsa regulations at one time where 1-32 could be used in those clsses as opposed to 1-16 brackets if 1-16 was shown to cause more travel time. The mileage was specific for crieria to be met. Unfortunately the chances of that happening is remote. Couldn't find it in the regs so not sure if it is still around.

1-32 should be for all classes but the smaller schools who maintain it would be monetary wise difficult to fund have a large voice and the Ihsa listens. Ratsy