Who has the toughest schedule? Week 1 thru Week 9?

[Edgytim]

Linked is the 2026 IHSA schedules listed via conferences.

So which school has the toughest regular season schedule?

Post em here.

2026 IHSA Football Schedules By Conference

 

[Penlight]

I do not know that it is the toughest, but the Hilltoppers will face the defending:
8A Champ
6A Champ
6A Semi-Finalist
5A Runner Up

 

[4Afan]

At initial glance I'd have to say St. Francis.

New Palestine, IN
7A champ
7A runner up
6A champ
Naz
4A champ

 

[Jenny27]

Marist will face three state champs.

 

[4Afan]

Sadly their conference schedule doesn't help them but Simeon starts the year against Marist, Bolingbrook, and Morris.

 

[McCaravan]

Start with ESL and end with Loyola, and NJ State Champ, Nazareth, Providence and going to BR for the game of the year in between...heavy is the head that wears the crown they say.

 

[4Afan]

View attachment 1370044
Start with ESL and end with Loyola, and NJ State Champ, Nazareth, Providence and going to BR for the game of the year in between...heavy is the head that wears the crown they say.

No one will come within 10 points of them after week 2.

 

[Cross Bones]

No one will come within 10 points of them after week 2.

Just saw them and they look mighty good.

 

[DMurph11]

Marist will face three state champs.

Franny plays 4 state champs, along with the 7A runner-up as well as Naz.

 

[Golden Warrior 1]

Rock Falls has to be considered. Every year they win 0 or 1 game. Maybe 2 once in a decade. That points to a tough schedule, no?

 

[Roamin' Catholic]

Rock Falls has to be considered. Every year they win 0 or 1 game. Maybe 2 once in a decade. That points to a tough schedule, no?

Subjective topic, I'd presume.

 

[Swansa01]

Rock Falls has to be considered. Every year they win 0 or 1 game. Maybe 2 once in a decade. That points to a tough schedule, no?

It's a brutal world out there.

 

[McCaravan]

MC could not lock on a week 1 opponent for the Freshman team or a week 2 opponent for the Sophomore team despite all efforts and willingness to travel. It's nonsense. The Freshman team has had to play Loyola twice in a season in 2024 and 2025 because neither team could find a week 1 game. LA was able to lock on something this year but MC will have to go without. It's Freshman football, dodging good teams should not be a thing.

 

[4Afan]

MC could not lock on a week 1 opponent for the Freshman team or a week 2 opponent for the Sophomore team despite all efforts and willingness to travel. It's nonsense. The Freshman team has had to play Loyola twice in a season in 2024 and 2025 because neither team could find a week 1 game. LA was able to lock on something this year but MC will have to go without. It's Freshman football, dodging good teams should not be a thing.

Not sure it's teams dodging MC as much as it is more schools not fielding purely freshman teams. Due to low numbers some schools are just going with a JV (combo of fresh/soph) and varsity teams.

 

[McCaravan]

Not sure it's teams dodging MC as much as it is more schools not fielding purely freshman teams. Due to low numbers some schools are just going with a JV (combo of fresh/soph) and varsity teams.

Good point...Freshman playing Kenwood JV week 2. All they could find

 

[AlabamaTimberwolf]

View attachment 1370044
Start with ESL and end with Loyola, and NJ State Champ, Nazareth, Providence and going to BR for the game of the year in between...heavy is the head that wears the crown they say.

But its good to be the King!~