2024 Football Preview

The scrimmages are done. Teams have been able to get a look at teams besides themselves, identify relative strengths and weaknesses, and prepare for when the games affect their record starting Aug. 30 (29 for Freeburg). Here's how we think it'll go this season. Teams are listed alphabetically.

Althoff:

Ceiling: 9-0; Floor: 6-3; Prediction: 9-0

Players To Watch: RB/DB Dierre Hill (Sr.) [Oregon], WR/DB Charleston Coldon (Sr.) [Boston College], DL/OL Jason Dowell (Sr.) [Mizzou]

Key Games: vs. Belleville East, @ Unity (Tolono), vs. Kaneland

This is (on paper) one of the most talented squads ever to come out of the tradition-rich program that the Crusaders are. To put it bluntly, anything less than a State Championship game appearance would be a disappointment. With that being said, they simply need to take it one game at a time, because nothing is guaranteed in high school sports.

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Alton:

Ceiling: 2-7; Floor: 0-9; Prediction: 0-9

Players to Watch: QB Riley Smith (Jr.), WR Ka'Nye Lacey (Sr.)

Key Games: @ Triad, @ Belleville West

This Redbird program is on the rise, and we think that growth (which is the ultimate goal in high school football) is coming in a positive way. While they face a challenging non-conference schedule and the competitive Southwestern Conference, these experiences will undoubtedly contribute to the team's growth, regardless of the immediate results in the win-loss column.

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Marquette Catholic:

Ceiling: 3-6; Floor: 0-9; Prediction: 1-8

Player to Watch: QB Jack Rea (Jr.)

Key Games: @ EA-WR, vs. Perryville, MO

Much like their co-tenants at Public School Stadium, the Explorers are a young team who are heading in the right direction. They have some games against some very strong opponents, but also have some games that they will be very competitive in. 

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Belleville East:

Ceiling: 7-2; Floor: 4-5; Prediction: 6-3

Players to Watch: WR Kiethen Jones (Sr.), DT Jonathan Rulo (Jr.)

Key Games: @ Collinsville, @ Althoff

The Lancers have had a solid run of success the past few seasons, and we believe that the success will continue this year. There are some key pieces from last year's team to replace, and how the new players adjust to the varsity level will determine how much success they will have. 

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Belleville West:

Ceiling: 4-5; Floor: 1-8; Prediction: 3-6

Players to Watch: QB Bernard Chapman (Jr.), WR De'Shawn Gage (Sr.)

Key Games: @ Mascoutah, vs. Alton

The Maroons had their best season since 2019 last year, and the opportunity to continue that trend will be fuel to motivate the team to potentially more success. 

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Breese Central:

Ceiling: 8-1; Floor: 6-3; Prediction: 8-1

Players to Watch: QB/DB Preston Baker (Sr.), RB/DB Kaden Rakers (Sr.), LB/WR Jackson Kampwerth (Jr.)

Key Games: vs. Highland, vs. Roxana

There is plenty of returning talent for the Cougars this season, and we think that a conference title and playoff success are certainly achievable this year. 

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Cahokia:

Ceiling: 7-2; Floor: 5-4; Prediction: 6-3

Players to Watch: RB/DB Correyontae Midgett (Sr.), DE Isaac Phipps (Sr.), WR Hartles Holman (So.)

Key Games: vs. Mt. Vernon, @ Sycamore

The Comanches have a new coach this year, with former All-State QB Darien Donald taking over at his alma mater. Some key pieces return, which we think will help them to another playoff appearance.

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Carlyle:

Ceiling: 5-4; Floor: 2-7; Prediction: 3-6

Player to Watch: RB/LB Brody Diekemper (Sr.)

Key Games: vs. Dupo, @ Wesclin

A lot of key pieces are gone from last year's squad, but the Indians' distinct double-wing offense will help them control the clock against most of their opponents

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Chester:

Ceiling: 8-1; Floor: 5-4; Prediction: 7-2

Players to Watch: QB Zain Al-Jassim (Sr.), LB Ethan Colvis (Jr.), DB Cayden Brunkhorst (Sr.)

Key Games: vs. Red Bud, vs. Waterloo

We're pretty high on the Yellow Jackets this year, with a Cahokia (Illinois) title and playoff success certainly achievable.

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Civic Memorial:

Ceiling: 3-6; Floor: 2-7; Prediction: 3-6

Players to Watch: QB Jack Piening (Sr.), RB/LB Jacob Flowers (Jr.), WR Parker Parnell (Jr.)

Key Games: vs. Jersey, vs. Pontiac

Plenty of returners for the Eagles this year. MVC schedule will provide plenty of challenge for the Eagles. 

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Collinsville:

Ceiling: 8-1; Floor: 5-4; Prediction: 7-2

Players to Watch: TE/DE Devin Habermehl (Sr.) [NIU], ATH Chase Reynolds (Sr.), LB Michael Tongay (Sr.)

Key Games: vs. Belleville East, @ Althoff

The Kahoks should be pretty competitive in their independent. Some production to replace on the offensive end, we'll see how well some new faces produce.

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Columbia:

Ceiling: 5-4; Floor: 1-8; Prediction: 2-7

Players to Watch: QB/DB Mason Voegele (Sr.), DB Keegan Thompson (Jr.), RB/LB Sam Denny (Jr.)

Key Games: @ Mater Dei, vs. Freeburg

Most likely another rebuilding year, but return enough for us to expect them to be better. We'll see how well they compete with the top half of the Cahokia (Mississippi)

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Dupo:

Ceiling: 6-3; Floor: 3-6; Prediction: 4-5

Players to Watch: QB/DB Deegan Prater (Jr.), LB Logan Lambert (Sr.), WR Thinh Staggs (Jr.)

Key Games: vs. Wesclin, @ Carlyle

Solidly in the mid-pack of the Cahokia (Illinois), in our opinion. Talent at the skill positions give them the potential to contend for a conference title.

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East St. Louis:

Ceiling: 7-2; Floor: 5-4; Prediction: 6-3

Players to Watch: ATH Charles Bass (Sr.) [Mizzou], RB TaRyan Martin (Sr.) [Kent State], LB Mekhi Mixon (Grambling), DL Keylan LaGrant 

Key Games: vs. Loyola Academy, vs. Edwardsville

Probably the most talented team in the area. Can they bring another State Title back to the City of Champions? National-level non-conference schedule will provide some challenge.

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Edwardsville:

Ceiling: 8-1; Floor: 6-3; Prediction: 8-1

Players to Watch: DE Iose Epenesa (Sr.) [Iowa], WR Devyon Hill-Lomax (Jr.), LB Noah Ramirez (Sr.)

Key Games: @ East St. Louis, vs. DeSmet, MO

Have the #1 player in the State, some other talent as well. Can they get the elusive SWC title?

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Freeburg:

Ceiling: 7-2; Floor: 6-3; Prediction: 7-2

Players to Watch: WR Weston Jarvis (Sr.), DL Camden Stafko (Sr.), RB Jase Brentlinger (Sr.)

Key Games: vs. Breese Central, @ Salem

Lost a lot of offensive production, new guys will need to step in to fill those roles.

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Granite City:

Ceiling: 1-8; Floor: 0-9; Prediction: 0-9

Players to Watch: WR Zaiden Kelley (Sr.), RB/LB Ryan Brokaw (Jr.), K Abby Knight (Sr.)

Key Games: @ Centralia, vs. Collinsville

Will a new coach be able to establish some success for the Warriors? We think it can come eventually, but it may be a multi-year process.

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Highland:

Ceiling: 8-1; Floor: 7-2; Prediction: 8-1

Players to Watch: QB Blake Gelly (Jr.), LB Ethan Greenwald (Sr.), RB/DB Tyson Rakers (Sr.)

Key Games: vs. Mahomet-Seymour, vs. Triad

Return several key pieces from a conference championship last year. May be able to make a deep run in the playoffs. 

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Jersey:

Ceiling: 5-4; Floor: 3-6; Prediction: 3-6

Players to Watch: ATH Jaxon Brunaugh (Sr.), LB Gage Walker (Sr.), WR/DB Jude Jones (Jr.)

Key Games: vs. Freeburg, @ Waterloo

 

The Panthers return some pieces from last year. Can they improve enough to make a playoff push? Strength of schedule is pretty high for a 4A team.

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Madison:

Ceiling: 2-7; Floor: 1-8; Prediction: 1-8

Players to Watch: ATH Isiah Williams (Jr.), WR/OLB Alex Kennedy (Sr.), WR/DB Tarion Wilbourn (Jr.)

Key Games: @ Sparta, @ Westmont

Return some talent, especially at the skill positions. Experience will help against a fairly tough schedule.

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Mascoutah:

Ceiling: 3-6; Floor: 2-7; Prediction: 3-6

Players to Watch: QB Baruk Jonsson (Sr.), DB Camren Reed (Jr.), WR/DB Wyatt Stoltz (Jr.)

Key Games: vs. Belleville West, vs. Civic Memorial

Can the Indians rebound to be a contender in the Mississippi Valley again? Some returning talent helps the answer to that question to be more positive.

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Mater Dei:

Ceiling: 6-3; Floor: 5-4; Prediction: 5-4

Players to Watch: RB Deacon Hagan (Sr.), DL Chandler Toennies (Sr.), DB Carter Murphy (Sr.)

Key Games: vs. Breese Central, vs. Effingham

Historically a strong program, the Knights do graduate a significant amount of production from last year. Can they reload and make a push for playoff success?

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O'Fallon:

Ceiling: 5-4; Floor: 4-5; Prediction: 5-4

Players to Watch: WR Omar Mims (Sr.), LB Drake Mosley (Sr.), DL Harold Johnson (Sr.)

Key Games: vs. Troy Buchanan (MO), @ Belleville East

After an offseason that saw some significant changes, the Panthers will look to move forward and compete in the very tough Southwestern Conference. A playoff berth would be a good way to start the new era.

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Red Bud:

Ceiling: 7-2; Floor: 6-3; Prediction: 6-3

Players to Watch: QB Dylan Oliver (Sr.), RB/LB Lucas Schwartzkopf (Sr.), DL Zach Manning (Sr.)

Key Games: @ Wesclin, @ Chester

Always a contender in the Cahokia (Illinois), the Musketeers should challenge for another conference title. Some production will have to come from new faces for that to happen.

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Roxana:

Ceiling: 9-0; Floor: 8-1; Prediction: 8-1

Players to Watch: RB Andruw Ellis (Sr.) [NIU], DE Sean Maberry (Jr.), DB Zeb Katzmarek (Sr.)

Key Games: @ Jersey, @ Breese Central

After a fantastic season last year, the Shells will look to replicate that success (or at least come close to it). Can the returners keep the fuel burning for this year?

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Salem:

Ceiling: 3-6; Floor: 1-8; Prediction: 2-7

Players to Watch: RB Jeremiah Rinehart (Sr.), LB Kolsyn Quinn (Sr.), DB Trey Clark (So.)

Key Games: @ Centralia, @ Columbia

The Wildcats lose some key production from last year, but do return some intriguing underclassmen who had some success at the varsity level last year. It may be a rebuilding year in Marion County, but the future does look bright for them.

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Sparta:

Ceiling: 1-8; Floor: 0-9; Prediction: 0-9

Players to Watch: RB Artez Richardson (Sr.), LB Quintin Littlepage (Sr.), DT Jaden Nation (Jr.)

Key Games: vs. Madison, @ Red Bud

Football is back for the Bulldogs! This is a positive development for both the student-athletes and the Sparta (and Steeleville) communities. How competitive they are on the field is a unknown quantity, but simply playing the game at the varsity level is a cause for celebration this year.

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Triad:

Ceiling: 6-3; Floor: 5-4; Prediction: 6-3

Players to Watch: QB Isaac Ackerman (Sr.), DE Owen Lightner (Sr.), WR Ian Dempsey (Sr.)

Key Games: @ Highland, vs. Collinsville

The Knights should be, as per usual, a contender in the MVC. Another playoff appearance is an expectation.

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Waterloo:

Ceiling: 6-3; Floor: 2-7; Prediction: 5-4

Players to Watch: RB Derez Sayles (Jr.), LB Justin Manning (Sr.), WR Chris Pete (Sr.)

Key Games: vs. Jersey, @ Triad

A team that can not be underestimated, with a decent number of skill players back. A tough schedule will show how talented they are.

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Wesclin:

Ceiling: 5-4; Floor: 3-6; Prediction: 5-4

Players to Watch: QB Christian Lopez (Jr.), LB Caleb Ferris (Jr.), DE Lino Garcia (Jr.)

Key Games: @ Dupo, vs. Carlyle

We think the Warriors will take a small step back, but should still be competitive for a playoff spot. There will be some new faces to keep an eye on offense.

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East Alton-Wood River:

Ceiling: 1-8; Floor: 0-9; Prediction: 0-9

Players to Watch: QB Nick Winchester (Jr.), LB Drake Champlin (Sr.), RB Ronan Winters (So.)

Key Games: @ Clinton, vs. Marquette

Some pieces do return for the Oilers, which will provide some optimism. Can they improve from last year's mark?

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Thank you all for reading our football preview! We will be releasing our pre-season polls on our X (Twitter) and Facebook pages Monday morning.