1𝘼 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮: Preliminary Projections after tonight’s results. We will have our final projections tomorrow mid afternoon. Want to verify playoff points and get results from 2 games that finalize the 1A playoff teams seasons.
ᗰIᗪ-YEᗩᖇ ᖇEᑭOᖇT ᑕᗩᖇᗪ:
Maroa-Forsyth Trojans
Grade: A
Record: 5-0
Review: The Trojans are off to a hot start at 5-0. They have done almost everything right, a Sangamo title & 2A top seed will be on the line in the final week vs New Berlin.
Projection: 9-0 & Playoffs
2⃣0⃣2⃣4⃣
#IHSA
FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PAIRINGS🏈
🏈CLASS 1⃣A🏈
🏆1⃣A State Championship🦃
📅 Friday, November 29
⏰ 10:00 AM
🏟️ Hancock Stadium
📍 Illinois State University | Normal
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜 𝟙 𝕂𝕖𝕪 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙𝕦𝕡:
Lena-Winslow @ Morrison
This will be the game in 1A everyone will have their eyes on. Morrison’s 1st NUIC conf. game. We know it is only week one but this game could have serious impact on who wins the NUIC in 2024.
✅Our Pick: Lena-Winslow
2𝘼 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮: Preliminary Projections as of 9am Saturday. We will have our final projections mid afternoon. Want to verify playoff points and get results from 1 game that finalize the 2A playoff teams seasons.
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 9 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Tuscola vs Illini West
What a unique Thursday night game at SHG in Springfield. A pair of 5-3 teams look to improve their playoff seeding. Illini West has won 5 in a row, the Warriors have won 2 of their last 3.
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Tuscola
🏈 𝟴: 𝗞𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗲 (𝗪𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱) 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘀
Conf: Lincoln Trail (Small)
Enrollment: 236
Key Returns: Zeb Rashid, Alec Earley
Tidbits: With this schedule the Titians could go undefeated and challenge for a title run in 24’.
Projection: 9-0
Playoff Chances: 92%
ᗰIᗪ-YEᗩᖇ ᖇEᑭOᖇT ᑕᗩᖇᗪ:
Althoff Catholic Crusaders
Grade: A+
Record: 5-0
Review: The loaded Althoff squad has established themselves as state title contender. Wins over 8A Belleville East & 3A powerhouse Tolono is a big flex on the rest of 1A.
Projection: 9-0 & Playoffs
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 𝟻 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Tuscola @ LeRoy
LeRoy has done nothing put impress so far at 4-0. This week they face the Warriors of Tuscola that has not given up more than 24 points in a game. Can LeRoy remain unbeaten as they play host to Tuscola?
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: LeRoy
ᗰIᗪ-YEᗩᖇ ᖇEᑭOᖇT ᑕᗩᖇᗪ:
Casey-Westfield Warriors
Grade: A-
Record: 5-0
Review: The Warriors are eyeing the perfect season, they have a couple of challenges in the last 4 games. A high playoff seeding is on the horizon for the Warriors.
Projection: 8-1 & Playoffs
𝒲𝑒𝑒𝓀 𝟤 𝒦𝑒𝓎 𝑀𝒶𝓉𝒸𝒽𝓊𝓅: Downs (Tri-Valley) @ LeRoy
A pair of HOCI teams due battle Friday, Downs from the large side & LeRoy from the small side. Both teams are considered favorites in their perspective sides. Who wins the bragging rights?
𝓞𝓾𝓻 𝓟𝓲𝓬𝓴: Downs
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 𝟻 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Farmington @ Elmwood-Brimfield
The game of the week in the Lincoln Trail Large division is a matchup between two unbeatens. The winner will have the upper hand at challenging Macomb for the conference crown.
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Farmington
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜 𝟙 𝕂𝕖𝕪 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙𝕦𝕡:
Bridgeport @ Casey-Westfield
Two playoff teams from last year will square off in opening week action at Casey. Casey-Westfield is a preseason top 10 team & many are anxious to see what the season holds for them.
✅Our Pick: Casey-Westfield
ᗰIᗪ-YEᗩᖇ ᖇEᑭOᖇT ᑕᗩᖇᗪ:
LeRoy Panthers
Grade: A+
Record: 5-0
Review: What a start to the season for the Panthers at 5-0. Impressive wins including huge win over Tri-Valley. Run the table and they become the
#1
seed in the north.
Projection: 9-0 & Playoffs
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 7 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Tuscola @ Heyworth
A pair of teams in the HOCI small conference division jockeying for a playoff spots in this one. Heyworth Hornets have their backs against the wall and must find a way to win their final three games.
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Tuscola
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 𝟺 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: LeRoy @ Heyworth
LeRoy has established themselves as the team to beat not only in the HOIC but also a top team in all of Central Illinois. Can the
@Hornets_FB
bounce back this week as they host the Panthers of LeRoy?
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: LeRoy
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 8 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: GCMS @ LeRoy
The HOCI small conference will be decided in this game of unbeatens. LeRoy looks to have the upper hand in this one but GCMS would like to make us think otherwise. Winner will be the conference champion.
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: LeRoy
2A Pʅαყσϝϝ Bɾαƈƙҽƚσʅσɠყ: Week 9 Projections with enrollment cutoff 406.5.
Make or Break Games This Week:
East Alton -WR @ *Red Bud*
Ridgeview-Lexington @ *Mackinaw-Deer Creek*
** Teams with 4 wins who need
#5
to make playoffs.
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 6 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Du-Pec @ Lena Winslow
The NUIC title could very well be decided this Friday night. The
#1
team in 1A Lena Winslow takes on the Rivermen from Du-Pec. Both squads are at 5-0. This could be a game for the ages in the NUIC.
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Du-Pec
ᗰIᗪ-YEᗩᖇ ᖇEᑭOᖇT ᑕᗩᖇᗪ:
Farmington Farmers
Grade: A+
Record: 5-0
Review: The sky is the limit for the Farmers. They are our pick as one of the serious state 2A title contenders. A couple of not so easy games remain but should prevail in them.
Projection: 9-0 & Playoffs
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 7 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Warrensburg @ LeRoy
The Panthers are bidding for top seed in 1A. Cardinals on the other hand are much improved from last year with only 1 loss. Warrensburg will have to have the perfect game plan to stay with LeRoy.
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: LeRoy
𝒲𝑒𝑒𝓀 𝟤 𝒦𝑒𝓎 𝑀𝒶𝓉𝒸𝒽𝓊𝓅: El Paso (Gridley) @ Casey-Westfield
This is a great non-conference game for teams nearly halfway across the state from each other. El Paso took down Reed-Custer in week one and the Warriors beat Red Hill.
𝓞𝓾𝓻 𝓟𝓲𝓬𝓴: Casey
🏈 𝟮: 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗮-𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀
Conf: Northwest Upstate Illini
Enrollment: 239.50
Key Returns: Jaylen Rakiwska, Cobryn Lynch
Tidbits: NUIC powerhouse lost many seniors but reloads every year & will be a team to beat in November
Projection: 9-0
Playoff Chances: 96%
𝒲𝑒𝑒𝓀 𝟤 𝒦𝑒𝓎 𝑀𝒶𝓉𝒸𝒽𝓊𝓅: Fulton @ Lena-Winslow
No one had the Steamers shutting out Forreston on their bingo cards. Fulton will look to keep the momentum going at Lena-Winslow this week. This game winner becomes the favorite in the NUIC.
𝓞𝓾𝓻 𝓟𝓲𝓬𝓴: Lena-Winslow
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 𝟹 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Eureka @ Mackinaw (Deer Creek)
Next matchup keeps us in the HOIC large division. A pair of unbeatens on the season face off in Mackinaw. The Chiefs have put up a couple of convincing wins in the first two weeks.
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Mackinaw
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 8 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Tolono (Unity) @ PBL
Tolono is looking for win
#5
and their ticket to the 3A playoffs. Can the Panthers rebound this week against a good Rockets team that’s number of wins don’t show how good they are.
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Tolono (Unity)
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜 𝟙 𝕂𝕖𝕪 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙𝕦𝕡:
Warrensburg-Latham @ Tuscola
Both Tuscola and Warrensburg-Latham were in that four to five win category last year with Tuscola edging the Cardinals in week 8 to secure a playoff spot. Both squads would love a week 1 win.
✅Our Pick: Tuscola
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 𝟺 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Stockton @ Fulton
Fulton looks to get back on track after 2 straight losses to Lena and Eastland-Pearl City. Stockton on the other hand is looking to make a statement with a win against Fulton.
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Stockton
🏈 𝟭𝟬: 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘆 (𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱) 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝘀
Conf: Little Illini
Enrollment: 231.50
Key Returns: Nolan Clement QB, Ryan Richards WR/PR
Tidbits: Warriors have alot of returners, pushing towards a conf. title & deep playoff run.
Projection: 8-1
Playoff Chances: 83%
𝘞𝘦𝘦𝘬 8 - 1𝘈 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺
Let’s have some fun! We are in the later part of the season. This is when it starts to get fun, here are our playoff projections. 🏈
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 𝟺 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Forreston @ Eastland-Pearl City
Forreston & EPC are fighting mid pack of the conference. Forreston looks to rebound after a loss to Galena. EPC enters this week coming off a big win over Fulton.
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Eastland-Pearl City
🏈 𝟳: 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀
Conf: Northwest Upstate Illini
Enrollment: 286.50
Key Returns: Colton Bielema, Brady Anderson
Tidbits: Mustangs move to the NUIC this year, will look to mix it up towards the top & a postseason berth.
Projection: 7-2
Playoff Chances: 70%
𝘞𝘦𝘦𝘬 7 - 1𝘈 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺
Let’s have some fun! We are in the later part of the season. This is when it starts to get fun, here are our playoff projections. 🏈
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 7 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Wethersfield/Annawan @ Farmington
The Titans come in 4-2 & not as healthy as they would like to be coming into a tough matchup against the 6-0 Farmers. Great cross conference matchup in the Lincoln Trail.
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Farmington
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 𝟻 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Camp Point @ Brown County
The defending state champs enter the week 3-1 & looking to continue their dominance in the WIV. The 2-2 Hornets have only given up 22 total points this year. Don’t sleep on this game!
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Camp Point
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 6 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Stockton @ Forreston
The Blackhawks still have an open path to the playoffs but this is a must have game to make it easier for them. Forreston (1-4) has their backs to the wall with Lena & Du-Pec in front of them yet.
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Stockton
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 𝟹 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Galena @ Forreston
Week in & week out there is always a stellar matchup in the NUIC. This week it will be between Galena & Forreston. You never know who can win in the NUIC from week to week. Keep your 👀on this one.
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Forreston
🏈 𝟯𝟬: 𝗧𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝘀
Conf: Heart of Central Illinois
Enrollment: 279
Key Returners: Dylan Graves QB, Parker James WR
Tidbits: Storied program led by Jr QB will look to compete in new conference & push towards a playoff run.
Projection: 6-3
Playoff Chances: 62%
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 9 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Bloomington CC vs Prairie Central
The Saints are looking for win number 6 this week before the 2A playoffs. Prairie Central is sitting at 4 wins & needs that 5th win to get in the mix for a at-large playoff bid.
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Bloomington CC
🏈𝟯𝟰: 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘄 (𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗸) 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳𝘀
Conf: Heart of Central Illinois
Enrollment: 299
Key Returners: Chuck Hathaway, Shaun Dennison
Tidbits: A battle tested Chiefs team will be on edge of a playoff berth at season end.
Projection: 4-5
Playoff Chances: 47%
𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜 𝟙 𝕂𝕖𝕪 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙𝕦𝕡:
Maroa-Forsyth @ Athens
This matchup is the 2A game of the week for sure. Two of the top teams in the state will go head 2 head. This game should not disappoint our week 1 appetite for some good high school football.
✅Our Pick: Maroa-Forsyth
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 7 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: PBL @ Monticello
PBL comes in at 6-0, much improved, & looking for a good playoff seeding. Monticello has been flawless besides the week 1 loss to St. Joseph. Can PBL stay unbeaten against a good Sages team?
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Monticello
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 𝟺 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Morrison @ Du-Pec
Du-Pec enters the week 3-0 after a shutout win over Dakota. After starting the season 0-2 the Mustangs, who were a pre-season favorite to challenge in the NUIC, will look for another big win this week.
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Du-Pec
🏉BONUS: 𝗣𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 (𝗗𝘂-𝗣𝗲𝗰) 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻
Conference: Northwest Upstate Illini
Enrollment: 449.50
Key Returns: Cooper Hoffman, Justin Anderson
Tidbits: Du-Pec will look to challenge Lena-Winslow for the NUIC & make playoffs.
Projection: 7-2
Playoff Chances: 78%
𝒲𝑒𝑒𝓀 𝟤 𝒦𝑒𝓎 𝑀𝒶𝓉𝒸𝒽𝓊𝓅: Camp Point Central @ Hardin (Calhoun)
The defending state champs will have a more challenge Friday in matchup against top 10 ranked Hardin (Calhoun). This WIVC crossover match is a must see 1A game this week
𝓞𝓾𝓻 𝓟𝓲𝓬𝓴: Camp Point Central
What a wild ending at Routt!!
Routt makes a field goal for the win, it’s taken away from encroachment penalty. Routt misses the 2nd attempt and CPC holds on for 22-21 win! 😱
𝒲𝑒𝑒𝓀 𝟤 𝒦𝑒𝓎 𝑀𝒶𝓉𝒸𝒽𝓊𝓅: Eureka @ Peru(St. Bede)
Eureka will look to pick up another win this week but the Bruins of Peru (St. Bede) need a win in to keep playoff visions on track. We will be watching to see if the Hornets can win on the road.
𝓞𝓾𝓻 𝓟𝓲𝓬𝓴: Eureka
1𝘼 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮: Preliminary Projections after tonight’s results. We will have our final projections tomorrow mid afternoon. Want to verify playoff points and get results from 2 games that finalize the 1A playoff teams seasons.
ᗰIᗪ-YEᗩᖇ ᖇEᑭOᖇT ᑕᗩᖇᗪ:
St. Joesph-Ogden Spartans
Grade: A
Record: 5-0
Review: The Spartans are looking real good so far this year. Still a couple tough conference games ahead in the 2nd part of season. Could be an undefeated regular season.
Projection: 9-0 & Playoffs
𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 6 𝙺𝚎𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚙: Fulton @ Galena
The Steamers find themselves in a pressure cooker with only 2 wins after week 5. The Pirates on the other hand only need 2 more victories to see the post season. NUIC is full of meaningful games this week
𝙾𝚞𝚛 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔: Galena
🏈 𝟭𝟯: 𝗟𝗲𝗥𝗼𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀
Conf: Heart of Central Illinois
Enrollment: 226.50
Key Returns: Landon Welte, Bo Zeleznik
Tidbits: Another great season on horizon, Panthers hoping for a deeper playoff run in 24’.
Projection: 8-1
Playoff Chances: 71%
🏈 𝟭: 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀
Conf: WIV (North)
Enrollment: 247.5
Key Returns: Elijah Genenbacher, Kadin Niekamp
Tidbits: The speed palace at Camp Point will try to repeat as state champ after they win the WIV.
Projection: 9-0
Playoff Chances: 96%
1A Pʅαყσϝϝ Bɾαƈƙҽƚσʅσɠყ: Week 9 Projections with enrollment cutoff 296.5.
Make or Break Games This Week:
Salt Fork @ *Clifton Central*
Pleasant Hill @ *Brown County*
Christ the King @ *Chicago Hope*
** Teams with 4 wins who need
#5
to make playoffs.
We will dissect the drama and get the newest projections out as soon as we can, know this, the defending state champs Wilmington for sure will be in 3A.
Playoff Implication Games today:
🔘(1pm) Greenfield-Northwestern at Jacksonville-Routt - Routt is looking for that 5 win to become playoff eligible.
🔘(7pm) Villa Grove @ Sangamon Valley - Storm at Sangamon Valley is looking for that 5th win to become playoff eligible.