All.... Scrimmage Tuesday 7-21. Ratsy
Titans and Senators Scrimmage with Peoria and Jerseyville | Channel 1450
Titans and Senators Scrimmage with Peoria and Jerseyville | Channel 1450
CS8 2026 Schedule (Complete)
- Thread starter cornerrat#1
- Start date
At least they had good music this time...
Rochester PA plays *ells Bells on 3rd Downs, when Rockets are on Defense.
That was the last song I'd listen to on the Walkman before the start of my high school basketball games.
Non-Friday Night CS8 Games
Week 1: SHG vs Lincoln Way Central (Saturday 5pm at Illinois Wesleyan)
Week 2: SHG at Joliet Catholic (Saturday 7:30 pm)
Week 4: Southeast at Lanphier (Saturday 1 pm)
Week 6: MacArthur at Eisenhower (Saturday 1 pm)
Week 9: U High at Springfield (Thursday 7 pm)
In case anyone wants to see teams other than their CS8 favorite play.
Week 1: SHG vs Lincoln Way Central (Saturday 5pm at Illinois Wesleyan)
Week 2: SHG at Joliet Catholic (Saturday 7:30 pm)
Week 4: Southeast at Lanphier (Saturday 1 pm)
Week 6: MacArthur at Eisenhower (Saturday 1 pm)
Week 9: U High at Springfield (Thursday 7 pm)
In case anyone wants to see teams other than their CS8 favorite play.
I listened to Another One Bites the Dust in my car driving to the field or bus... That was it. No headphones. No boombox... Just quiet and thinking about the game... Focused.
My High School was in the old Greater Midwestern Conference. 5 teams. The closest was 40 minutes away. The other three were 2 hours plus. We had a Friday night game in Macomb one year, bus broke down on the way back and we got home about 1 AM. Then had an 8 AM practice.
Week 3 through 9 Conference Games of the Week
Week 3: Jacksonville at Springfield
Week 4: QND at Jacksonville
Week 5: MacArthur at U High/Jacksonville at SHG (tie)
Week 6: Rochester at Chatham
Week 7: QND at Springfield
Week 8: SHG at Rochester
Week 9: Chatham at SHG
Week 3: Jacksonville at Springfield
Week 4: QND at Jacksonville
Week 5: MacArthur at U High/Jacksonville at SHG (tie)
Week 6: Rochester at Chatham
Week 7: QND at Springfield
Week 8: SHG at Rochester
Week 9: Chatham at SHG
Ugh... Being on a bus that breaks down sucks... I was lucky because we were in the MSM (Auburn, Williamsville, NB, etc.) so our trips were under an hour but a Non-conf game could be a drive. We played St Elmo my senior year which wasn't a bad trip...
Not 100% sure one way or the other. The SHG site has LWC at 5:30 and the JCA game at 7PM. All the other sites showing what you have above. So it might of changed. I know the Cyclones and Knights are playing a sophomore game before and it's listed to start at 3pm. Kind of a tight window to fit in for a 5pm start with the varsity.
Speaking of LWC they were actually going to open up with Edwardsville. But the Tigers changed their minds ending up going with Kankakee. SHG was still having trouble finding a team saw the opening and signed a two year contract with both of the games to be played at Illinois Wesleyan. Ratsy
All.... How about as well week seven Chatham at MacArthur? If the Titans are in the precarious position many think for 2026 could this be a good game to watch? After the beat down the Generals took last year from Chatham might be worth consideration. A home game for Mac possibly for second place in the CS8 East. Ratsy
One could make the SHG/LWC game then catch ESL/MC. Why wouldnt they hold the games at the same place?
Remember when eliminating the "Drive for five" was going to stop teams from seeking out easy wins? It appears that many of the projected mid-tier CS8 teams missed that memo.
Decatur Mac starts with Mattoon - 1-8 last year 2-7 the year before and then takes on Granite City who has lost an impressive 32 games in a row. A majority of their losses last year were by 36 points or more.
Jacksonville takes on Jersey, 2-7 both of the past two seasons and Ft Zumwalt East who is a combined 7-15 over that time frame.
Glenwood got itself a good one to start against Normal West before scheduling a get right game against Alton - 0-9 last year, 2-7 the year before.
QND gets Decatur St. Teresa 3-6 / 5-5 and then Carbondale, 3-6 both years.
I get it, everyone needs games and sometimes it was a struggle but wow- specifically wow to MacArthur. Meanwhile SHG takes on Lincoln Way Central and JCA, Rochester goes to Moline before hosting Batavia. Hell, Springfield takes on a Cahokia team that is a playoff regular and Normal U-High gets Rochelle who wins more than they lose and Mahomet-Seymour who wins - albeit in the Apollo that is...woof.
The Drive for Five became a scramble for three? Who could've possibly seen that coming...
Decatur Mac starts with Mattoon - 1-8 last year 2-7 the year before and then takes on Granite City who has lost an impressive 32 games in a row. A majority of their losses last year were by 36 points or more.
Jacksonville takes on Jersey, 2-7 both of the past two seasons and Ft Zumwalt East who is a combined 7-15 over that time frame.
Glenwood got itself a good one to start against Normal West before scheduling a get right game against Alton - 0-9 last year, 2-7 the year before.
QND gets Decatur St. Teresa 3-6 / 5-5 and then Carbondale, 3-6 both years.
I get it, everyone needs games and sometimes it was a struggle but wow- specifically wow to MacArthur. Meanwhile SHG takes on Lincoln Way Central and JCA, Rochester goes to Moline before hosting Batavia. Hell, Springfield takes on a Cahokia team that is a playoff regular and Normal U-High gets Rochelle who wins more than they lose and Mahomet-Seymour who wins - albeit in the Apollo that is...woof.
The Drive for Five became a scramble for three? Who could've possibly seen that coming...
I'd need more context before criticizing these scheduling choices. How many of these games were already scheduled prior to the vote to expand the playoffs? How many of these were scheduled due to teams scrambling to fill their schedules after the season was moved up a week causing some teams to have to cancel previously scheduled games?
I don't like that you made the salient points I was intentionally ignoring during my early morning annoyance session...
exactly. jax scheduled these games before any decision by the ih$a for the change. net-se.
All.... Non cons games w1 and w2 have been a struggle finding for both SHG and Rochester. What was a two year agreement between Batavia and Rochester for some reason is now just one. The Rockets by the way have listed searching for a w2 starting in 2027 on the Ihsa open dates list. Looking for a H and A two year deal. I noticed Morris wanting the same. If one of those schools would do a A and H that would be worth the price of admission.
As I mentioned before the LWC game pretty much fell into the lap of the Cyclone staff. Kudos by the way to Coach Frazier at Althoff. Having a conversation with their fans in 2024 at a Crusader/Panthers playoff game I was told a deal was in the works initiated by Coach Frazier w2 for the Cyclones and his team to go at it. As far as I know it is still on starting in 2027. SHG won't have to deal with this now until week 1 of the 2028 season.
As I mentioned before the LWC game pretty much fell into the lap of the Cyclone staff. Kudos by the way to Coach Frazier at Althoff. Having a conversation with their fans in 2024 at a Crusader/Panthers playoff game I was told a deal was in the works initiated by Coach Frazier w2 for the Cyclones and his team to go at it. As far as I know it is still on starting in 2027. SHG won't have to deal with this now until week 1 of the 2028 season.
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Morris/Rochester would be great to see. I wonder though, how eager will teams be to schedule marquee non conference games this far in advance if there's the possibility of the expanded playoffs only lasting one year. Not that potentially going back to the "drive for 5" would effect either Rochester or Morris, but I wouldn't be surprised if schools wait until another vote happens to start scheduling non conference games.
With the announcement of Litchfield playing JV only fresh off the press... I vote QND automatically gets Greenville instead of Carbondale as Greenville was Litchfield's W2...
QND/Greenville in 2019 3A 1st Round playoffs was a wild one, 42-32 Raiders, an ejection, coaches face-to-face post game, and a whole lot of yapping throughout. I'd love to see the next installment! I believe Grant Hyer went crazy with some 10+ receptions and 3 TD's... and his mouth running with him down the sideline on a break away after the catch is what caused the ejection of a Greenville senior on their own sideline.
QND/Greenville in 2019 3A 1st Round playoffs was a wild one, 42-32 Raiders, an ejection, coaches face-to-face post game, and a whole lot of yapping throughout. I'd love to see the next installment! I believe Grant Hyer went crazy with some 10+ receptions and 3 TD's... and his mouth running with him down the sideline on a break away after the catch is what caused the ejection of a Greenville senior on their own sideline.
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I think it'd be way more fun if you supplied us with a list of teams the programs you listed "should" have scheduled instead for those weeks....
Quincy Notre Dame
2025 Record: 7-2 (3-2), 3rd-CS8 West
Record Home: 4-2
Record Away: 3-1
PF/PA: 408-132
2025 Playoffs: 4A 1st Round - Lost (18-27) vs. SHG
Key Losses - Offense
*Stats for 2025 Season
*Stats for 2025 season
Autumn is near... Best time of the year is nearly upon us.
2025 Record: 7-2 (3-2), 3rd-CS8 West
Record Home: 4-2
Record Away: 3-1
PF/PA: 408-132
2025 Playoffs: 4A 1st Round - Lost (18-27) vs. SHG
Key Losses - Offense
- WR Gavin Doellman - 49 catches, 784 yds, 14 TD, 9 PR/KR TD, 144 total pts scored
- RB Oli Triplett - 85 rush, 568 yds, 6 TD, 9 catches, 60 yds, 1 TD
- WR Jace Allensworth - 23 catches, 455 yds, 4 TD
- WR Braden Smith - 22 catches, 257 yds, 5 TD
*Stats for 2025 Season
- QB (SR) John Venvertloh - 123/188 att/comp, 1762 yds, 30 TD, 4 INT
- RB (SR) Noah Benz - 36 rush, 272 yds, 4 TD
- RB (SR) Abel Berhorst - 21 rush, 188 yds, 3 TD
- TE/WR (Jr) Rowan Stegeman - 7 catches, 62 yds, 3 TD
- DT Gavin Flesner - 60 tackles
- S/CB Jace Allensworth - 51 tackles
- CB Robbie Reed - 38 tackles, 3 INT
- FS Braden Smith - 24 tackles, 3 INT
*Stats for 2025 season
- SS (Jr) Tripp Flesch - 109 tackles
- OLB (Sr) Cale Hilbing - 102 tackles, 4 sack
- DB/OLB (Jr) Rowan Stegeman - 75 tackles
- MLB (Sr) Brayden Bozarth - 62 tackles, 3 sack
- DE (Sr) Kamden Huner - 59 tackles, 2 TFL
- MLB (Jr) Kaden Marth - 24 tackles, 6 TFL
- MLB (Jr) Abel Berhorst - 20 tackles
- DE (Sr) Samuel Klauser - 20 tackles, 1 sack
- CB (Jr) Josh Brenner - 18 tackles
- OLB (Sr) Abram Zanger - 16 tackles, 4 TFL
- CB (Sr) Isaac Bealor - 12 tackles
- SS/CB (Sr) Mason Cragg - 7 tackles, 1 INT
Autumn is near... Best time of the year is nearly upon us.
Nice write up, Roamin'. Looking forward to seeing the Raiders and Rockets get after it following such a long time away from eachother.
Venvertloh had an excellent 1st year starting at QB, putting up numbers close to last season's Big 3 CS8 QBs (Knoedler, Brinkman, and Scheffler).
When a team loses a lot of productive players, a silver lining is getting back a successful QB. Having said that, what's your thoughts on the experience/returners on the O-Line that will be protecting him?
I look for Venvertloh to have improved in a couple areas, he definitely showed us he's capable of getting the ball to his playmakers last season. He limited critical mistakes like INT's and throwing into double coverage too often.
Last year, our O-line was one of the weaker points for sure. So when John did get pressured, you really saw the speed of the CS8 game and the athletes we face these days, kind of cripple him. He was unsure running the ball, sometimes tucking too soon instead of just stepping up or out to avoid pressure. Signs of inexperience at the position. He's not a particularly athletic kid in that sense, but he's a good size dude, so I'd like to see him stand in there this year to give his new WR core a chance to hit their breaks. He's got a couple athletic kids we can slot in for some RPO and screen type stuff per the usual, but we're going to lack the height and leaping ability we had the past few years with Allensworth and Doellman. Both of which were just go-getter type receivers that high pointed the ball really well. Hopefully they taught the youngin's how to be aggressive like that.
As for this year's O-line specifically... there's some battles to be won. We graduated a 3-year starter at center and return just two starters on the O-line. We rotate O-lineman a lot at times, and injuries last season really forced some young bodies into action, which can be a good thing for this year also. Finding a guy to cover QB1's backside is going to be crucial, SHG comes to mind quick during regular season last year, they did a fine job of exposing our backside protection and really forced John to tuck and panic a lot. . When QND struggled a year ago, a lot of times it was because opposing interior D-lines had a field day also, with or without the presence of blitzing LB's. SHG, twice last year for instance had a lot of success up front against the hogs. Jacksonville actually did a phenomenal job of shooting the 8 and 6 gaps and really spread our interior line thin when we'd send the RB's on routes. And of course, SHS late in a game QND really should have put away, ate QND's front 5 up. Needing to run the ball to burn the clock, our two-way smaller bodies really felt the sting that night and just couldn't make it happen. An unfortunate reality for us at QND playing in this league though. We know we'll have a smaller roster and more two-way guys than the big names in the league almost every week and every season. A fun challenge for sure.
I think to this point, two years in, Jack Cornell has done a pretty good job of spreading his roster out in crucial spots, rotating bodies a lot to help keep some guys fresher later in games. We aren't going to be the biggest, so we're going to have to be more creative at times. To this point, it's gone pretty well. Excited to see how Jack handles this last wave of graduations though, those guys were uber-talented and we're going to have more of your "average" run of the mill team this year offensively. I expect they'll figure it out though. Like you said, having QB1 back is a big, big head start.
I expect we'll run the ball a little more than we have the past few seasons because of the unknowns at WR, but we return a stud of a TE/WR in Rowan Stegeman and he could honestly move out wide and be that bigger target if needed. He's just not as quick. I'm hopeful we'll see big leaps with the experience over the past two years, especially offensively, from guys like Tripp Flesch (smart, smart football player), Isaac Bealor, Mason Cragg, and Josh Brenner. All names that I think we should see emerge as viable targets for John Venvertloh to connect with. Need big years out of the O-line and two-headed RB attack of Berhorst and Benz. Both have seen what CS8 defenses are like now, got to start finding some yards on the ground if we expect to control the clock at all.
That was very longwinded, I could talk about this stuff all day about QND. I've personally projected us at 4-5 this year. That hinges on us being able to beat one of either Jax or SHS. I'd like to say, as a homer, we beat 'em both this year and go 5-4. But with the playoff format this season as it is, we can settle for that 4-5 mark. Staying healthy thru weeks 6-9 is a must if we expect to be competitive come week 10.
All.... So with the new playoff format in and what appears according to the "Souce" that three wins gets a team into the postseason a battle between several teams at the end looks to be in play.
The three CS8 schools in that particular catergory haven't made the playoffs for quite some time. Lanphier (2004), Southeast (2014), and Eisenhower(2016) A fourth which is not in the group
is Lincoln but I believe they are going to have a long hard year.
The Lions will need a season opening "upset" against LaSalle-Peru and wins w8 at Lincoln and w9 home against Eisenhower.
Southeast looks to be in the best situation. On the road w1 at East Peoria. W4 Lanphier (A), w8 Eisenhower(A), and w9 Lincoln a home game.
Crazy as it sounds Eisenhower might start out 0-6. and they could still be in the hunt for three wins.. Lincoln (A), Southeast (H) and Lanphier (A) round out the 2026 schedule.
Of course the Railsplitters could blow this whole thing up being a surprise team in the CS8. As much as I dislike the new postseason change it does add some "excitement" at the end for not only the CS8 but many conferences and their teams that struggle in football. Ratsy
The three CS8 schools in that particular catergory haven't made the playoffs for quite some time. Lanphier (2004), Southeast (2014), and Eisenhower(2016) A fourth which is not in the group
is Lincoln but I believe they are going to have a long hard year.
The Lions will need a season opening "upset" against LaSalle-Peru and wins w8 at Lincoln and w9 home against Eisenhower.
Southeast looks to be in the best situation. On the road w1 at East Peoria. W4 Lanphier (A), w8 Eisenhower(A), and w9 Lincoln a home game.
Crazy as it sounds Eisenhower might start out 0-6. and they could still be in the hunt for three wins.. Lincoln (A), Southeast (H) and Lanphier (A) round out the 2026 schedule.
Of course the Railsplitters could blow this whole thing up being a surprise team in the CS8. As much as I dislike the new postseason change it does add some "excitement" at the end for not only the CS8 but many conferences and their teams that struggle in football. Ratsy
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Week 1 may decide the postseason question for Lincoln.
If they lose at home to Peoria Manual (0-9 last year with a -365 point differential), they could easily end up winless. On the other hand, a non-conference win against the Rams puts the Railers in position to possibly make the playoffs even with only a single win in their final three games against Eisenhower (H), Lanphier (H), and Southeast (A).
All.... Yes and you know me with Massey. They have the Railsplitters winning that w1 game by 7 and defeating Lanphier and Eisenhower as well later on in the season. Tricky picks all around when dealing with teams lower down in the food chain playing each other. Who is less banged up with those limited rosters could be a big factor. Ratsy
All.... Channel 20 wics video 7-24. Ratsy Footnote LWC was class 7A last year and with a rise in enrollment at 2003.00 for 2026 look to be on upper end of class 7A again. Just a guess but I don't see them when the postseason is announced ending up in 8A.
Sacred Heart Griffin Football Preview 2026 | | newschannel20.com
Sacred Heart Griffin Football Preview 2026 | | newschannel20.com
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Chatham has much more talent that DMac... I don't see much of a experience gap between any other CS8 team since the Titan backups got 2 quarters each game of varsity XP. Im sure thats much more than most teams in the CS8!~
There's nothing wrong with QND playing St Teresa... Private vs Private is fine... DMac was pathetic... Rochester and SHG did the CS8 proud! Im sure this will be the ONLY year we see this FUBAR'd playoff format!!!
What does Lincoln have returning? A new coach and new energy should help. Lincoln will have much more discipline than Manual, Ike, Lanphier and Southeast so... I would RUN the DAMN BALL, control the clock as much as possible and play sound D. I see good things in Lincoln but with that said Lincoln needs to find greener pastures elsewhere.
All.... Massey concurs with a comfortable 45-14 win over Mac. Massey still showing as well Chatham going 7-2 with close losses to Rochester 35-32 (53%) and 35-34 (51%) to SHG. Maybe your Red.... umm Titans go 9-0 in the regular season....
Ratsy
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The new Coach is switching the offense from the Double Wing to the Spread. Once the Railers lost the Carson twins and Payton Bunner to graduation, they really lacked the personnel to execute the Double Wing. Now, they will need to develop a QB and apparently are looking at a Junior who has some experience, a Sophomore, and a Freshman. Program numbers were around 55 during the summer session, which is an improvement from last year.
All.... Because the twins were so dynamc playing football for the Railsplitters curious I look them up now and then to see their college progress. If I recall correctly they both started out at IC. One is till there and the other ended up at Monmouth. Kani left Monmouth for Mississsipi State University and now is involved in track and field. Ratsy
All.... Everyone wants to run spread nowdays rocketnation. I have "heard" along with a simplified version of the wishbone the Titans plan on mixing in often different spread formations.
Speaking of the wishbone on that media day 1450 had yesterday and the short conversation they had with Coach Dambacher Ruppert brought up the word is out on running the bone. Jim has mentioned on air the last couple of weeks don't believe everything you hear. Coach didn't comment on that as both of them chuckled. Getting back to interview business Coach Damacher was asked have they decided on a qb yet. Nope. Harken Clutts the sophomore and Michael Young the junior are still going at it. Ratsy
Speaking of the wishbone on that media day 1450 had yesterday and the short conversation they had with Coach Dambacher Ruppert brought up the word is out on running the bone. Jim has mentioned on air the last couple of weeks don't believe everything you hear. Coach didn't comment on that as both of them chuckled. Getting back to interview business Coach Damacher was asked have they decided on a qb yet. Nope. Harken Clutts the sophomore and Michael Young the junior are still going at it. Ratsy
Oh... Well... Lincoln trying to spread it out against anyone not Ike will end up getting clobbered by 35! They don't have the Jimmy's and Joe's that Rochester, SHG, Chatham, QND, etc., have!!! Im shocked that they don't have the vision at Lincoln. Hmmmm... Hard to be upbeat about Lincoln and the Spread... Thanks for the update!!!
