Gonna share the previews I wrote up on the four schools left over in the league to get some discussion going!
Chicagoland Prairie Conference
- Thread starter Patrick Devitt
- Start date
Marquette Academy Crusaders
Ottawa, IL
Enrollment:
234.30 (multipled)
Conference:
Chicagoland Prairie
Head Coach:
Drake Davis
2025 Results:
6-4 Overall, Lost 1A 1st Rd to Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 28-6
Returning Starters:
3 on Offense, 4 on Defense
Players to Watch:
Luke McCullough Jr
Blayden Cassel Jr
Connor Baker Jr
Caden Shreve Sr
Lucas Craig Sr
Underclassmen to Watch:
Cortez White Fr
John Pitts Fr
2026 Outlook:
2025 saw the Crusaders qualify for the postseason for the 13th consecutive time as they went 6-4 under former Head Coach Ken Carlson. 2026 brings change as in steps Drake Davis to take over as head football coach following the departure of Carlson. The Crusaders have some pieces to replace but do have back 3 starters on offense and 4 on defense. Coach Davis says the kids have made huge strides throughout the summer and he is extremely happy with the development of the kids and how they're grasping the new playbook. Coach Davis says a main goal is keep up the tradition of successful Marquette Academy Crusaders football. Look for the Crusaders to be battling for the Chicagoland Prairie title and qualifying for the postseason for the 14th straight season this fall.
Ottawa, IL
Enrollment:
234.30 (multipled)
Conference:
Chicagoland Prairie
Head Coach:
Drake Davis
2025 Results:
6-4 Overall, Lost 1A 1st Rd to Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 28-6
Returning Starters:
3 on Offense, 4 on Defense
Players to Watch:
Luke McCullough Jr
Blayden Cassel Jr
Connor Baker Jr
Caden Shreve Sr
Lucas Craig Sr
Underclassmen to Watch:
Cortez White Fr
John Pitts Fr
2026 Outlook:
2025 saw the Crusaders qualify for the postseason for the 13th consecutive time as they went 6-4 under former Head Coach Ken Carlson. 2026 brings change as in steps Drake Davis to take over as head football coach following the departure of Carlson. The Crusaders have some pieces to replace but do have back 3 starters on offense and 4 on defense. Coach Davis says the kids have made huge strides throughout the summer and he is extremely happy with the development of the kids and how they're grasping the new playbook. Coach Davis says a main goal is keep up the tradition of successful Marquette Academy Crusaders football. Look for the Crusaders to be battling for the Chicagoland Prairie title and qualifying for the postseason for the 14th straight season this fall.
Dwight Trojans
Dwight, IL
Enrollment:
209
Conference:
Chicagoland Prairie
Head Coach:
Luke Standiford
2025 Results:
8-4 Overall, Lost 1A Quarterfinal to Stockton 44-0
Returning Starters:
6 on Offense, 6 on Defense
Players to Watch:
Ayden Collom RB/LB Sr (4 year starter*)
Will Anderson G/DE Sr (4 year starter*)
Collin Bachand QB/OLB Sr (3 year starter*)
Joe Duffy WR/DB Sr (3 year starter*)
Evan Olson T/DE Jr (3 year starter*)
Underclassmen To Watch:
Dalton Delong RB/DB So
Alex Ortiz G/DT Jr
Zach Bumpous T/LB Jr
Kayden Wood RB/LB Jr
Ryker Anderson RB/LB Jr
2026 Outlook:
The past three seasons of Dwight Trojan football have been some of the best in program history. Coach Luke Standiford’s bunch put up another 8-4 season in 2025 where they advanced to the quarterfinal round for the second consecutive year. The Trojans will need to replace some pieces, including all-stater Evan Cox, but do bring back 6 starters on offense and defense many of which are 3 or 4 year Varsity starters. Several underclassmen will be needed to fill those roles but the early sign are encouraging according to Coach Standiford. The Trojans will look to replicate their tough, hard-nosed, physical style of football this fall as they look to achieve their goals of playoff success. Expect Dwight to be a contender in the Chicagoland Prairie and a factor in the 1A playoffs this fall.
Dwight, IL
Enrollment:
209
Conference:
Chicagoland Prairie
Head Coach:
Luke Standiford
2025 Results:
8-4 Overall, Lost 1A Quarterfinal to Stockton 44-0
Returning Starters:
6 on Offense, 6 on Defense
Players to Watch:
Ayden Collom RB/LB Sr (4 year starter*)
Will Anderson G/DE Sr (4 year starter*)
Collin Bachand QB/OLB Sr (3 year starter*)
Joe Duffy WR/DB Sr (3 year starter*)
Evan Olson T/DE Jr (3 year starter*)
Underclassmen To Watch:
Dalton Delong RB/DB So
Alex Ortiz G/DT Jr
Zach Bumpous T/LB Jr
Kayden Wood RB/LB Jr
Ryker Anderson RB/LB Jr
2026 Outlook:
The past three seasons of Dwight Trojan football have been some of the best in program history. Coach Luke Standiford’s bunch put up another 8-4 season in 2025 where they advanced to the quarterfinal round for the second consecutive year. The Trojans will need to replace some pieces, including all-stater Evan Cox, but do bring back 6 starters on offense and defense many of which are 3 or 4 year Varsity starters. Several underclassmen will be needed to fill those roles but the early sign are encouraging according to Coach Standiford. The Trojans will look to replicate their tough, hard-nosed, physical style of football this fall as they look to achieve their goals of playoff success. Expect Dwight to be a contender in the Chicagoland Prairie and a factor in the 1A playoffs this fall.
St.Bede Academy Bruins
Peru, IL
Enrollment:
272
Conference:
Chicagoland Prairie
Head Coach:
Jack Brady
2025 Results:
2-7 Overall
Returning Starters:
7 on Offense, 5 on Defense
Players to Watch:
Landon Marquez RB/LB Sr
Niko Pappas TE/DL Sr
Brennan Hirst RB/LB Sr
Stuart McGunnigal ATH/QB/DB
Demian Baker OL/DL Sr
Gavin Gillan OL/DL Sr
Luke Fess OL/DL Jr
2026 Outlook:
Coach Jack Brady enters year 2 with the Bruins looking to steer the program back towards playoff contention. Navigating the small conference slate from the Chicagoland Prairie leaves multiple weeks open for non-conference games which aren't always easily to fill. St.Bede brings back 7 starters on offense, with 5 back on defense in 2026. Coach Brady said of this group that they are solid as far as output and leadership and possess the ability and desire to win football games. Look for better things from the Bruins in 2026!
Peru, IL
Enrollment:
272
Conference:
Chicagoland Prairie
Head Coach:
Jack Brady
2025 Results:
2-7 Overall
Returning Starters:
7 on Offense, 5 on Defense
Players to Watch:
Landon Marquez RB/LB Sr
Niko Pappas TE/DL Sr
Brennan Hirst RB/LB Sr
Stuart McGunnigal ATH/QB/DB
Demian Baker OL/DL Sr
Gavin Gillan OL/DL Sr
Luke Fess OL/DL Jr
2026 Outlook:
Coach Jack Brady enters year 2 with the Bruins looking to steer the program back towards playoff contention. Navigating the small conference slate from the Chicagoland Prairie leaves multiple weeks open for non-conference games which aren't always easily to fill. St.Bede brings back 7 starters on offense, with 5 back on defense in 2026. Coach Brady said of this group that they are solid as far as output and leadership and possess the ability and desire to win football games. Look for better things from the Bruins in 2026!
Seneca Fighting Irish
Seneca, IL
Enrollment:
377
Conference:
Chicagoland Prairie
Head Coach:
Terry Maxwell
2025 Results:
10-1 Overall, Lost 2A 2nd Rd to Wilmington 42-0
Returning Starters:
1 on Offense, 2 on Defense
Players to Watch:
Rayce Aukland LB/OL Sr
Miles LeRoy QB/DB Jr
Breckin Anderson DL/OL Jr
Wyatt Holman DL/OL Jr
Joey Arnold RB/LB Sr
Brycen Decowski RB/DB Jr
Chase Rod RB/LB Jr
Underclassmen to Watch:
Judd Taylor RB/DB So
Blane Lucas OL/DL
2026 Outlook:
The 5th season under Terry Maxwell garnered another 10 win season for the Irish, which 3rd in 4 season. Seneca made a concerted effort to beef up their non conference schedule in 2025 in preparation for a deep playoff run, but ran into a buzzsaw in round 2 with Wilmington. A large amount of that team is gone as 1 starter is back on offense and 2 return on defense. So it looks to be a slight rebuild happening down in LaSalle County, but given Coach Maxwell's tenure I'd expect him to have his young squad playing their best football by October. Coach Maxwell says the Irish will lean on the run game and play fast on defense, with the kids getting better each and every day.
Seneca, IL
Enrollment:
377
Conference:
Chicagoland Prairie
Head Coach:
Terry Maxwell
2025 Results:
10-1 Overall, Lost 2A 2nd Rd to Wilmington 42-0
Returning Starters:
1 on Offense, 2 on Defense
Players to Watch:
Rayce Aukland LB/OL Sr
Miles LeRoy QB/DB Jr
Breckin Anderson DL/OL Jr
Wyatt Holman DL/OL Jr
Joey Arnold RB/LB Sr
Brycen Decowski RB/DB Jr
Chase Rod RB/LB Jr
Underclassmen to Watch:
Judd Taylor RB/DB So
Blane Lucas OL/DL
2026 Outlook:
The 5th season under Terry Maxwell garnered another 10 win season for the Irish, which 3rd in 4 season. Seneca made a concerted effort to beef up their non conference schedule in 2025 in preparation for a deep playoff run, but ran into a buzzsaw in round 2 with Wilmington. A large amount of that team is gone as 1 starter is back on offense and 2 return on defense. So it looks to be a slight rebuild happening down in LaSalle County, but given Coach Maxwell's tenure I'd expect him to have his young squad playing their best football by October. Coach Maxwell says the Irish will lean on the run game and play fast on defense, with the kids getting better each and every day.
Dwight looks like they return quite a bit.
I know Seneca is leaving for the ICE next year… any idea on where the others are going? This league was kind of doomed from the start when they allowed Westmont and Walther in along with Ridgewood and Elmwood Park. Very hodgepodge.
I know Seneca is leaving for the ICE next year… any idea on where the others are going? This league was kind of doomed from the start when they allowed Westmont and Walther in along with Ridgewood and Elmwood Park. Very hodgepodge.
Very good question
Dwight could go to the Heart of Central Illinois.
Not sure about Marquette Academy and St. Bede? Would the HOCI take two private schools? Maybe the have to jump into the Chicagoland Christian
