The big news is that Decatur Eisenhower will not be playing varsity football this season. As of now, Chatham has been able to schedule Rock Island for Week 5, and Lincoln has been able to schedule Hillsboro for Week 7. Non-Conference opponents Mascoutah and Mt Zion along with CS8 opponents Rochester, U High, MacArthur, Southeast, and Lanphier have yet to schedule replacement contests and there are only limited options. Some will likely turn into forfeits.
Leading Returning QBs
Brinkman-SHG (2,453 yards/24 TDs), Venvertloh-QND (1,762/30), Leonard-ROCH (1,549/12), and Kirby-U HIGH (1,209/16).
Leading Returning Rushers
Brown- DMAC (1,417 yards/16 TDs), Brinkman-SHG (909/17), J.Jackson-JAX (834/5), Groesch-SHG (714/16), and Richmond-LANPH (646/8).
Leading Returning Receivers
Swaney-ROCH (755 yards/5 TDs), Wolters-SHG (727/9), Groesch-SHG (264/2), Cox-ROCH (251/4), Gade-ROCH (216/2), and Jenkins-SPRING (216/1).
West Division
1- SHG (8-4 last year, 4A Quarterfinals)
The decision to insert Cam Brinkman at QB halfway through his Sophomore year paid huge dividends in '25, and he should only be better in his 3rd year as a starter. Also returning for the Cycs are important skill players RB-LB Mikey Groesch and WR Andrew Wolters. One of the biggest Offensive Lines in recent history should also allow the Cyclones to compete with 7A Lincoln Way Central and 6A Joliet Catholic the first two weeks of the season. Key Game: Week 2 at Joliet Catholic. A road win against the Hilltoppers would be a major confidence boost leading into the Conference schedule.
2- QND (7-3, 4A 1st Round)
QND loses a lot of skill players from last year but return QB John Venvertloh who was very impressive as a Junior and trailed only Chatham's Colten Knoedler in TD passes. QND has done very well in its 1st two years in the CS8 and should be a tough out again this season. Key Game: Week 8 at Chatham Glenwood. The Raiders would have been underdogs against Chatham in both '24 and '25 but get to face them in a rebuilding season. A road win would go a long way in solidifying the Raiders playoff position.
3- Jacksonville (6-5, 4A 2nd Round)
Along with the CS8's 3rd leading returning rusher in Jeremiah Jackson, the Crimsons also bring back Darren Henry (608/9) and Terrion Jackson (585/6). That's over 2,000 yards in returning rushing along with 20 TDs. Jacksonville will have a new QB and only threw the ball about 50 times last season, so expect opposing defenses to crowd the line. Key Game: Week 4 against QND. The Raiders won 28-0 last season, but the Crimsons get a Home game and the team's talent level should be closer than last year.
4- Springfield (5-5, 5A 1st Round)
Replacing 3-year starting QB Brody Scheffler and WR Kale Thurman will be difficult. The Senators were able to win several shootouts last year because of their big play passing capability. The Defense struggled last season, giving up 35 ppg. Returning RBs Ed Horton and Bryce Bryant may lead to more of a rushing attack than in '25. Key Game: Week 3 vs Jacksonville. Springfield won 28-17 last year but are now likely the underdog.
5-Lanphier (1-8)
Lanphier broke a several season losing streak last year by knocking off Lincoln in Week 1. That ended up being their only Win on the season, but they were also competitive against both Southeast and Eisenhower. QB Camarie Richmond, who accounted for 11 TDs last year, returns and teams with experienced QBs generally improve. Key Game: Week 4 vs Southeast. The battle of the North End vs the East Side.
6- Southeast (3-6)
The Spartans went from 2-7 to 3-6 in Coach Nate Borders second season but were blown out in every game they lost and only beat 1-win teams Lincoln, Lanphier, and Eisenhower. Key Game: Week 9 vs Lincoln. A Home victory by the Spartans might put them into the expanded playoff field.
East Division
1- Rochester (12-2, 4A Finals)
After splitting time at QB almost equally with Tanner Beal, J.P. Leonard should get the vast majority of the snaps this season. He probably has the most Receiving options in recent history, with 7 or 8 capable of making plays. Scoring should not be an issue. The major question is whether the Defense, which gave up 35, 42, and 47 points in the last three playoff games can hold better offenses down to an extent this season. Key Game: Week 2 vs Batavia. This game against the 7A semifinalist from last year will be an early marker of where the Rockets stand going into Conference play.
2- Decatur MacArthur (5-5, 5A 1st Round)
Other than SHG, Mac returns the most All Conference players (7) this season. RB Cayden Brown ran for over 1,400 yards last year and returns. QB play is a bit of unknown as several played last season due to injuries. Mac has a pretty favorable schedule and should start out 3-0 and get both Chatham and Springfield at Home. Key Game: Week 5 at U High. Mac won at home last year 28-27 in OT. This would be a big road win if the Generals can pull it off.
3- Chatham (10-1, 6A 2nd Round)
The Titans have a new Coach, possibly a new Offense, and must replace almost all their starters from last season, including 3-year QB Colten Knoedler, RB Grady Mueller, and WR Blake Lehnen. How quickly the new team will develop is anyone's guess but there will be some dropoff for at least a season. Key Game: Week 7 at MacArthur. The Titans routed the Generals last season 49-0 but Mac has won at home against the Titans in the past.
4- U High (5-5, 5A 1st Round)
After going to the 4A semifinals in '24, the Pioneers came back to earth a bit last year but still qualified for the 5A playoffs. Kudos to them for scheduling two good non-conference games against Rochelle and Mahomet. The improvement of their returning QB will say a lot about how the Pioneers season goes. Key Game: Week 3 vs Chatham. U High upset Chatham at home in '24, while the Titans avenged that loss last year 42-0.
5-Lincoln (1-8)
The Railers have a new Coach and a new offense and hope to move in the direction of their '23 and '24 teams that went 5-5 and 4-5. Moving away from the Double Wing is probably a good idea as Lincoln just did not have the athletes to execute it last year. Key Game: Week 1 against Peoria Manual. This is a golden opportunity to get the new Coach a win in his 1st game at Home as Manual was 0-9 last year and gave up over 40 points 8 times.
Leading Returning QBs
Brinkman-SHG (2,453 yards/24 TDs), Venvertloh-QND (1,762/30), Leonard-ROCH (1,549/12), and Kirby-U HIGH (1,209/16).
Leading Returning Rushers
Brown- DMAC (1,417 yards/16 TDs), Brinkman-SHG (909/17), J.Jackson-JAX (834/5), Groesch-SHG (714/16), and Richmond-LANPH (646/8).
Leading Returning Receivers
Swaney-ROCH (755 yards/5 TDs), Wolters-SHG (727/9), Groesch-SHG (264/2), Cox-ROCH (251/4), Gade-ROCH (216/2), and Jenkins-SPRING (216/1).
West Division
1- SHG (8-4 last year, 4A Quarterfinals)
The decision to insert Cam Brinkman at QB halfway through his Sophomore year paid huge dividends in '25, and he should only be better in his 3rd year as a starter. Also returning for the Cycs are important skill players RB-LB Mikey Groesch and WR Andrew Wolters. One of the biggest Offensive Lines in recent history should also allow the Cyclones to compete with 7A Lincoln Way Central and 6A Joliet Catholic the first two weeks of the season. Key Game: Week 2 at Joliet Catholic. A road win against the Hilltoppers would be a major confidence boost leading into the Conference schedule.
2- QND (7-3, 4A 1st Round)
QND loses a lot of skill players from last year but return QB John Venvertloh who was very impressive as a Junior and trailed only Chatham's Colten Knoedler in TD passes. QND has done very well in its 1st two years in the CS8 and should be a tough out again this season. Key Game: Week 8 at Chatham Glenwood. The Raiders would have been underdogs against Chatham in both '24 and '25 but get to face them in a rebuilding season. A road win would go a long way in solidifying the Raiders playoff position.
3- Jacksonville (6-5, 4A 2nd Round)
Along with the CS8's 3rd leading returning rusher in Jeremiah Jackson, the Crimsons also bring back Darren Henry (608/9) and Terrion Jackson (585/6). That's over 2,000 yards in returning rushing along with 20 TDs. Jacksonville will have a new QB and only threw the ball about 50 times last season, so expect opposing defenses to crowd the line. Key Game: Week 4 against QND. The Raiders won 28-0 last season, but the Crimsons get a Home game and the team's talent level should be closer than last year.
4- Springfield (5-5, 5A 1st Round)
Replacing 3-year starting QB Brody Scheffler and WR Kale Thurman will be difficult. The Senators were able to win several shootouts last year because of their big play passing capability. The Defense struggled last season, giving up 35 ppg. Returning RBs Ed Horton and Bryce Bryant may lead to more of a rushing attack than in '25. Key Game: Week 3 vs Jacksonville. Springfield won 28-17 last year but are now likely the underdog.
5-Lanphier (1-8)
Lanphier broke a several season losing streak last year by knocking off Lincoln in Week 1. That ended up being their only Win on the season, but they were also competitive against both Southeast and Eisenhower. QB Camarie Richmond, who accounted for 11 TDs last year, returns and teams with experienced QBs generally improve. Key Game: Week 4 vs Southeast. The battle of the North End vs the East Side.
6- Southeast (3-6)
The Spartans went from 2-7 to 3-6 in Coach Nate Borders second season but were blown out in every game they lost and only beat 1-win teams Lincoln, Lanphier, and Eisenhower. Key Game: Week 9 vs Lincoln. A Home victory by the Spartans might put them into the expanded playoff field.
East Division
1- Rochester (12-2, 4A Finals)
After splitting time at QB almost equally with Tanner Beal, J.P. Leonard should get the vast majority of the snaps this season. He probably has the most Receiving options in recent history, with 7 or 8 capable of making plays. Scoring should not be an issue. The major question is whether the Defense, which gave up 35, 42, and 47 points in the last three playoff games can hold better offenses down to an extent this season. Key Game: Week 2 vs Batavia. This game against the 7A semifinalist from last year will be an early marker of where the Rockets stand going into Conference play.
2- Decatur MacArthur (5-5, 5A 1st Round)
Other than SHG, Mac returns the most All Conference players (7) this season. RB Cayden Brown ran for over 1,400 yards last year and returns. QB play is a bit of unknown as several played last season due to injuries. Mac has a pretty favorable schedule and should start out 3-0 and get both Chatham and Springfield at Home. Key Game: Week 5 at U High. Mac won at home last year 28-27 in OT. This would be a big road win if the Generals can pull it off.
3- Chatham (10-1, 6A 2nd Round)
The Titans have a new Coach, possibly a new Offense, and must replace almost all their starters from last season, including 3-year QB Colten Knoedler, RB Grady Mueller, and WR Blake Lehnen. How quickly the new team will develop is anyone's guess but there will be some dropoff for at least a season. Key Game: Week 7 at MacArthur. The Titans routed the Generals last season 49-0 but Mac has won at home against the Titans in the past.
4- U High (5-5, 5A 1st Round)
After going to the 4A semifinals in '24, the Pioneers came back to earth a bit last year but still qualified for the 5A playoffs. Kudos to them for scheduling two good non-conference games against Rochelle and Mahomet. The improvement of their returning QB will say a lot about how the Pioneers season goes. Key Game: Week 3 vs Chatham. U High upset Chatham at home in '24, while the Titans avenged that loss last year 42-0.
5-Lincoln (1-8)
The Railers have a new Coach and a new offense and hope to move in the direction of their '23 and '24 teams that went 5-5 and 4-5. Moving away from the Double Wing is probably a good idea as Lincoln just did not have the athletes to execute it last year. Key Game: Week 1 against Peoria Manual. This is a golden opportunity to get the new Coach a win in his 1st game at Home as Manual was 0-9 last year and gave up over 40 points 8 times.
Last edited:
