Toggle sidebar

Early CCL Division Predictions

S

SiuCubFan8

All-Conference
Jul 27, 2007
5,874
3,693
113
With camps starting and the fact that I'm just bored cause my Cubs cannot hit with runners in scoring position, here are my thoughts on CCL Divisions as we sit today.

Blue
MC - Heavy favorite, tons of talent, interested in how they perform in the non-con. Who plays QB?
BR - Tons of talent, does FR QB take the reigns as season goes on?
LA - Down year last year for them, not short on talent. Old reliable HC back in charge. I could easily see them flipping with BR. QB decision will be interesting.
Marist - Always has talent, gonna be tough road in blue, gonna have to pick up wins in crossovers and non-con.

Green
Montini - Best QB in state back plus a key transfer at WR, steps into green but had a dog fight of a div last year. Tough call with them or Naz, I'll go with Bronco.
Naz - Could have put them at top, tons of high level talent returning and new QB from cheeseland.
SF - A good amount returning from state championship team, added some impact transfers specifically QB/WR. A notch below Bronco and Naz but could spoil the party.
Rita - Had to put someone here, have lost some kids to transfer but still has talent. They will beat a pain to play, could easily swap with SF.

Orange
PC - Heart breaking loss in championship in 5A last year, gonna be motivated with a ton of talent returning. 5A favorites and maybe my most confident div winner so far.
Fen - Lost a good amount but also returns a Theis brother. I expect them to be good, we will so how good.
Carmel - Lost top QB and a few others from a very good group. They still have talent but losing Taylor is a tall task.
Iggy - I can see them bumping up to 3rd here or even 2nd, always seems to be solid, will beat you if you are not on your game/focused.

White
IC - A ton of talent coming back, Bowen is going to be a menace for the next two years.
STL - Already had a very talented group and then the news of a few Rita kids heading there way makes them #2 in my book. D looks to be huge stregth.
JCA - Will be a solid and physical team, certainly can beat IC or STL but a notch below for me right now.
DePaul - They have gotten hit by the transfers bug the past few off seasons. Could find themselves in 3rd if things don't line up right for JCA.

Purple
Benet - 1st year bump with new coach? They always seem to have some players, I expect new coaching staff and new program excitement to lead them to the top.
St. Pats - Gonna go with Pats here, Z has had them on the right track it seems.
ND - Easily could see them at #2 and maybe even in the top spot.
Marmion - I honestly wasn't sure what to do with them, seem to always have size. They have just kinda been a middling program recently.

Red
Marian - Should do well in red, has some good athletes, always seems to lose some kids to the other southside privates.
Viator - Can Robbie turn the ship? I'll head a few minutes from my house to watch them take on Sparty in the fall.
Leo - They are always tough it seems, low numbers but always has some talent sprinkled in.
De La Salle - Rebuilding...

Fire away!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: tuccs, DMurph11, Zibby999 and 7 others
P

pjjp

All-Conference
Aug 26, 2001
5,695
2,955
113
Nice analysis. Just some general comments.
Loyola could surprise with the return of Holocek as HC, but I can’t see them overtaking either MC or Rice, which are arguably the two best teams in the state. I think this could be Rice’s year to beat MC.

The Green is loaded. Might be the most competitive division. I agree with the Montini pick. How good is the new Naz QB? They could win the division. Anyone could beat anyone in a given week. Great matchups.

Provi should be very good. Not sure what to make of Fenwick or Carmel. How good is the new QB at Carmel?

IC and STL should battle for the top spot in the White. JCA and DePaul will battle for third. Will JCA continue to evolve the offense?

I like Pat’s chances in the Purple. Gotta give Benet’s new coach some time.

Marian or Viator in the Red as you said.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SiuCubFan8
S

SiuCubFan8

All-Conference
Jul 27, 2007
5,874
3,693
113
pjjp said:
Nice analysis. Just some general comments.
Loyola could surprise with the return of Holocek as HC, but I can’t see them overtaking either MC or Rice, which are arguably the two best teams in the state. I think this could be Rice’s year to beat MC.

The Green is loaded. Might be the most competitive division. I agree with the Montini pick. How good is the new Naz QB? They could win the division. Anyone could beat anyone in a given week. Great matchups.

Provi should be very good. Not sure what to make of Fenwick or Carmel. How good is the new QB at Carmel?

IC and STL should battle for the top spot in the White. JCA and DePaul will battle for third. Will JCA continue to evolve the offense?

I like Pat’s chances in the Purple. Gotta give Benet’s new coach some time.

Marian or Viator in the Red as you said.
Click to expand...
I wrote down Pat in purple first then changed my mind.
 
W

Wittymoniker1

All-Conference
Aug 6, 2007
5,421
1,819
113
pjjp said:
Nice analysis. Just some general comments.
Loyola could surprise with the return of Holocek as HC, but I can’t see them overtaking either MC or Rice, which are arguably the two best teams in the state. I think this could be Rice’s year to beat MC.

The Green is loaded. Might be the most competitive division. I agree with the Montini pick. How good is the new Naz QB? They could win the division. Anyone could beat anyone in a given week. Great matchups.

Provi should be very good. Not sure what to make of Fenwick or Carmel. How good is the new QB at Carmel?

IC and STL should battle for the top spot in the White. JCA and DePaul will battle for third. Will JCA continue to evolve the offense?

I like Pat’s chances in the Purple. Gotta give Benet’s new coach some time.

Marian or Viator in the Red as you said.
Click to expand...
PJJP,

What do you think of the Rita/PC matchup? I know it's early, and both have lost crucial WRs.
 
OnVikings!

OnVikings!

Junior
Nov 15, 2024
207
347
57
SiuCubFan8 said:
With camps starting and the fact that I'm just bored cause my Cubs cannot hit with runners in scoring position, here are my thoughts on CCL Divisions as we sit today.

Blue
MC - Heavy favorite, tons of talent, interested in how they perform in the non-con. Who plays QB?
BR - Tons of talent, does FR QB take the reigns as season goes on?
LA - Down year last year for them, not short on talent. Old reliable HC back in charge. I could easily see them flipping with BR. QB decision will be interesting.
Marist - Always has talent, gonna be tough road in blue, gonna have to pick up wins in crossovers and non-con.

Green
Montini - Best QB in state back plus a key transfer at WR, steps into green but had a dog fight of a div last year. Tough call with them or Naz, I'll go with Bronco.
Naz - Could have put them at top, tons of high level talent returning and new QB from cheeseland.
SF - A good amount returning from state championship team, added some impact transfers specifically QB/WR. A notch below Bronco and Naz but could spoil the party.
Rita - Had to put someone here, have lost some kids to transfer but still has talent. They will beat a pain to play, could easily swap with SF.

Orange
PC - Heat breaking loss in championship in 5A last year, gonna be motivated with a ton of talent returning. 5A favorites and maybe my most confident div winner so far.
Fen - Lost a good amount but also returns a Theis brother. I expect them to be good, we will so how good.
Carmel - Lost top QB and a few others from a very good group. They still have talent but losing Taylor is a tall task.
Iggy - I can see them bumping up to 3rd here or even 2nd, always seems to be solid, will beat you if you are not on your game/focused.

White
IC - A ton of talent coming back, Bowen is going to be a menace for the next two years.
STL - Already had a very talented group and then the news of a few Rita kids heading there way makes them #2 in my book. D looks to be huge stregth.
JCA - Will be a solid and physical team, certainly can beat IC or STL but a notch below for me right now.
DePaul - They have gotten hit by the transfers bug the past few off seasons. Could find themselves in 3rd if things don't line up right for JCA.

Purple
Benet - 1st year bump with new coach? They always seem to have some players, I expect new coaching staff and new program excitement to lead them to the top.
St. Pats - Gonna go with Pats here, Z has had them on the right track it seems.
ND - Easily could see them at #2 and maybe even in the top spot.
Marmion - I honestly wasn't sure what to do with them, seem to always have size. They have just kinda been a middling program recently.

Red
Marian - Should do well in red, has some good athletes, always seems to lose some kids to the other southside privates.
Viator - Can Robbie turn the ship? I'll head a few minutes from my house to watch them take on Sparty in the fall.
Leo - They are always tough it seems, low numbers but always has some talent sprinkled in.
De La Salle - Rebuilding...

Fire away!
Click to expand...
Pretty solid breakdown. Nice work.
Those blue v blue matchups and the blue/green crossovers are going to be some battles. Hoping for some great competition for everyone involved with the new alignments. The goal of the conference should always be to make each other better for the playoff push. I def like STLs new schedule after having to face three eventual state champs in the regular season last year😂.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jenny27 and SiuCubFan8
McCaravan

McCaravan

All-American
Feb 1, 2016
4,834
7,594
113
OnVikings! said:
Pretty solid breakdown. Nice work.
Those blue v blue matchups and the blue/green crossovers are going to be some battles. Hoping for some great competition for everyone involved with the new alignments. The goal of the conference should always be to make each other better for the playoff push. I def like STLs new schedule after having to face three eventual state champs in the regular season last year😂.
Click to expand...
Laurence seems to be looking really good on Defense but do they have a QB? Replacing Les production will be a main focus.
 
OnVikings!

OnVikings!

Junior
Nov 15, 2024
207
347
57
McCaravan said:
Laurence seems to be looking really good on Defense but do they have a QB? Replacing Les production will be a main focus.
Click to expand...
McCaravan said:
Laurence seems to be looking really good on Defense but do they have a QB? Replacing Les production will be a main focus.
Click to expand...
Will be difficult to replace Corey on both sides of the ball. Kid is an absolute BULL. Cut from the same cloth as those Thies boys at Fenwick. It’s a shame he is such a good baseball player because it’s a travesty that he is not playing division one football somewhere.

As far as QB, the rising junior that played varsity last year took 1/3 of the series last season as a soph. (2 QB system with some Les wildcat mixed in) I would imagine he is the heir apparent. The other rising junior that played QB on JV had a good sophmore year too. They also have the caboose of the Les family who plays qb as a rising soph.

I’m definitely excited to see what the revamped defense is capable of. Sean Rice is special. He’s probably the most highly recruited player that has come out of STL since their heyday in the 80s.

Really excited about the rising junior class. They have lost three games in two seasons, lost to BR as freshman, lost to BR and Pats as sophs (with a lot of sophs playing up on varsity).

Coach Swanson definitely has the ship moving in the right direction. When I talk to people in the building, they have nothing but positive things to say about him. Great numbers out for freshmen football this year as well as a ton of kids at their grade school camp. A lot of young and engaging coaches on the staff. Hoping that they can hang with some of the big boys of the CCL in the coming years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: McCaravan
McCaravan

McCaravan

All-American
Feb 1, 2016
4,834
7,594
113
OnVikings! said:
Will be difficult to replace Corey on both sides of the ball. Kid is an absolute BULL. Cut from the same cloth as those Thies boys at Fenwick. It’s a shame he is such a good baseball player because it’s a travesty that he is not playing division one football somewhere.

As far as QB, the rising junior that played varsity last year took 1/3 of the series last season as a soph. (2 QB system with some Les wildcat mixed in) I would imagine he is the heir apparent. The other rising junior that played QB on JV had a good sophmore year too. They also have the caboose of the Les family who plays qb as a rising soph.

I’m definitely excited to see what the revamped defense is capable of. Sean Rice is special. He’s probably the most highly recruited player that has come out of STL since their heyday in the 80s.

Really excited about the rising junior class. They have lost three games in two seasons, lost to BR as freshman, lost to BR and Pats as sophs (with a lot of sophs playing up on varsity).

Coach Swanson definitely has the ship moving in the right direction. When I talk to people in the building, they have nothing but positive things to say about him. Great numbers out for freshmen football this year as well as a ton of kids at their grade school camp. A lot of young and engaging coaches on the staff. Hoping that they can hang with some of the big boys of the CCL in the coming years.
Click to expand...
He's outstanding. He was liked very much at MC. Should the yearly rumor of Jordan Lynch leaving MC ever come true I'm sure he would be on the top of a short list to replace him. ***Hypothetical people he's not going anywhere!*** 😀
 
  • Like
Reactions: OnVikings!
McCaravan

McCaravan

All-American
Feb 1, 2016
4,834
7,594
113
Never thought Rita would come in last in any division your point is valid that they very well may with the teams they are playing. Looking at their schedule, depending on how Glenbard West is they could start 0-4 and possibly finish 3-6 and with this new system make the playoffs and depending on what class they opt for they could make a run.

Big question is what class will they go in. They have been in 7A. With BR and ESL and a possible lower seed do they opt for a lower class? They were 3A in Baseball. I'm guessing with their enrollment they could get 5A, they did in 2019 and made the Championship before losing to Hank Beaty and Rochester. Stay tuned I guess.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AlabamaTimberwolf
T

Topiarydan1

All-Conference
Jul 9, 2001
4,750
1,024
113
McCaravan said:
Never thought Rita would come in last in any division your point is valid that they very well may with the teams they are playing. Looking at their schedule, depending on how Glenbard West is they could start 0-4 and possibly finish 3-6 and with this new system make the playoffs and depending on what class they opt for they could make a run.

Big question is what class will they go in. They have been in 7A. With BR and ESL and a possible lower seed do they opt for a lower class? They were 3A in Baseball. I'm guessing with their enrollment they could get 5A, they did in 2019 and made the Championship before losing to Hank Beaty and Rochester. Stay tuned I guess.
Click to expand...
Rita playing 7A this year would be a very tough go. Especially with Rice-ESL there. Will be an interesting season for them. They gotta stay healthy or they'll be 3-6. Marist is another that could suprise people and go 6-3 or have a tough go and be 2-7
 
  • Like
Reactions: AlabamaTimberwolf and McCaravan
C

cornerrat#1

Senior
Jul 1, 2025
562
541
93
WizardofWashington said:
That will get them in the playoffs...which is an absolute joke
Click to expand...
All.... Not to the other play in teams that draw one of those two. Steve Soucie had a mock up of 2025 with the new playoff foremat. If I recall correctly not many but some 7-2 teams along with the others that have less wins would play in that week one game.

Now I would imagine St. Rita or Marist with two or three wins is going to have a bunch of playoff points and likely wouldn't draw any of those 7-2 teams but someone is going to have to play them. And that likely won't be pretty for them. Ratsy
 
W

Wittymoniker1

All-Conference
Aug 6, 2007
5,421
1,819
113
Topiarydan1 said:
Rita playing 7A this year would be a very tough go. Especially with Rice-ESL there. Will be an interesting season for them. They gotta stay healthy or they'll be 3-6. Marist is another that could suprise people and go 6-3 or have a tough go and be 2-7
Click to expand...
I think if ESL goes 7A, it will be "very tough" for BR as well? No?
 
W

Wittymoniker1

All-Conference
Aug 6, 2007
5,421
1,819
113
McCaravan said:
Never thought Rita would come in last in any division your point is valid that they very well may with the teams they are playing. Looking at their schedule, depending on how Glenbard West is they could start 0-4 and possibly finish 3-6 and with this new system make the playoffs and depending on what class they opt for they could make a run.

Big question is what class will they go in. They have been in 7A. With BR and ESL and a possible lower seed do they opt for a lower class? They were 3A in Baseball. I'm guessing with their enrollment they could get 5A, they did in 2019 and made the Championship before losing to Hank Beaty and Rochester. Stay tuned I guess.
Click to expand...
I thought classifying up was a two-year commitment, unless something has changed. This, I believe, would be Rita's second year of that commitment, so I think they'll be 7A this year.
 
W

Wittymoniker1

All-Conference
Aug 6, 2007
5,421
1,819
113
McCaravan said:
Never thought Rita would come in last in any division your point is valid that they very well may with the teams they are playing. Looking at their schedule, depending on how Glenbard West is they could start 0-4 and possibly finish 3-6 and with this new system make the playoffs and depending on what class they opt for they could make a run.

Big question is what class will they go in. They have been in 7A. With BR and ESL and a possible lower seed do they opt for a lower class? They were 3A in Baseball. I'm guessing with their enrollment they could get 5A, they did in 2019 and made the Championship before losing to Hank Beaty and Rochester. Stay tuned I guess.
Click to expand...
I think their enrollment right now would be 6A.
 
C

cornerrat#1

Senior
Jul 1, 2025
562
541
93
Wittymoniker1 said:
I think if ESL goes 7A, it will be "very tough" for BR as well? No?
Click to expand...
All.... Unless something has recently changed and I have not heard anything the Southwestern Conference has a rule that doesn't permit the Flyers to petition and play up into the class 7A or 8A playoffs. ESTL enrollment by the way has dropped from 1146.00 to 1078.00. Ratsy
 
Last edited:
4

4Afan

All-Conference
Sep 15, 2001
4,038
3,608
113
McCaravan said:
Big question is what class will they go in. They have been in 7A. With BR and ESL and a possible lower seed do they opt for a lower class? They were 3A in Baseball. I'm guessing with their enrollment they could get 5A, they did in 2019 and made the Championship before losing to Hank Beaty and Rochester. Stay tuned I guess.
Click to expand...
Quite possibly the most CCL post of all time
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: Cross Bones and McCaravan
AlabamaTimberwolf

AlabamaTimberwolf

Senior
Aug 7, 2024
759
488
63
Topiarydan1 said:
Rita playing 7A this year would be a very tough go. Especially with Rice-ESL there. Will be an interesting season for them. They gotta stay healthy or they'll be 3-6. Marist is another that could suprise people and go 6-3 or have a tough go and be 2-7
Click to expand...
Is EStL being pushed up to 7A under the success rule? Their "conference" ""supposedly"" won't let them play up 2 classifications otherwise!~
 
S

SiuCubFan8

All-Conference
Jul 27, 2007
5,874
3,693
113
Do they officially release who’s playing up after the deadline so teams can’t get cute? I know that doesn’t matter for teams in year two of playing up but just a thought I had.
 
C

cornerrat#1

Senior
Jul 1, 2025
562
541
93
4Afan said:
It's true
Click to expand...
All.... That is interesting. Other then coming across a podcast of a couple of guys talking about the Flyers upcoming game with the Caravan in which they also mention of hearing a rumor about ESTL petitioning up to 7A although they provided no specifics. That being the conference changing their mind.

Haven't come across any other media platforms on this subject. Source? Ratsy
 
McCaravan

McCaravan

All-American
Feb 1, 2016
4,834
7,594
113
cornerrat#1 said:
All.... That is interesting. Other then coming across a podcast of a couple of guys talking about the Flyers upcoming game with the Caravan in which they also mention of hearing a rumor about ESTL petitioning up to 7A although they provided no specifics. That being the conference changing their mind.

Haven't come across any other media platforms on this subject. Source? Ratsy
Click to expand...
My only info came from the thread started by Edgy back in March in which he says ESL is being allowed to and plans to petition up to 7A
 
  • Like
Reactions: cornerrat#1, 4Afan and SiuCubFan8
S

Silver Rain

All-Conference
Jun 6, 2022
1,354
1,476
78
If the Flyers do move up, I think it will be permanent, not merely an experiment. This will be good for everyone. Finally, whoever runs the SWC had a moment of clarity.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: AlabamaTimberwolf
M

mc140

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
8,817
2,894
113
Silver Rain said:
If the Flyers do move up, I think it will be permanent, not merely an experiment. This will be good for everyone. Finally, whoever runs the SWC had a moment of clarity.
Click to expand...

With the new playoff rules, how many of the SWC will now definitely be 8a? I know a few like Edwardsville were always on the cut line.
 
C

Cross Bones

All-Conference
Aug 19, 2001
53,010
4,078
113
Topiarydan1 said:
I think Rice playing other 8A teams like MC, LWE, Loyola and Marist will give them a good pre-7A playoff prep. Rice has 12-13 D1 guys on roster so about same as ESL so both stack up well against each other.
Click to expand...
Both BR and ESL are lucky a certain 4A team doesnt request up. Word on the streets is they are spanking our favorite 6A and 7A teams.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: PowerI66
D

Doctor_D

All-Conference
Oct 9, 2016
3,026
2,663
113
4Afan said:
Last year was the first year Abrams was a starter? Montini had 4 losses in 2023 and 2 losses in 2024.
Click to expand...
Pretty sure he transferred in for the 2024 season. I think the other kid started the first few games that year before Abrams took over.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 4Afan
S

Silver Rain

All-Conference
Jun 6, 2022
1,354
1,476
78
LWN_Pheonix said:
That 4A team is undefeated for a reason

in fact their starting QB has never lost a high school game
Click to expand...
MC would dismantle Montini like it did LWE. A complete embarrassment, 48-7, against another overrated quarterback. Emmett Dowling, POY.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom