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Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

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Index

Milford-Cissna Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 St. Anne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Girls Flag Football Bradley-Bourbonnais . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Bishop McNamara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Kankakee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Tackle Football Schedule WEEK 1

WEEK 3

THURSDAY, AUG. 20 Peotone at Eisenhower, 6 p.m. FRIDAY, AUG. 21 Kankakee at Edwardsville, 6 p.m., Bradley-Bourbonnais at TF North, 6:30 p.m., Bishop McNamara at Wilmington, 7 p.m., Coal City at Pontiac, 7 p.m., Canton at Herscher, 7 p.m., Johnsburg at Manteno, 7 p.m., Reed-Custer at Harvard, 7 p.m., Salt Fork at Clifton Central, 7 p.m., Georgetown-Ridge Farm at Momence, 7 p.m., Westville at Iroquois West, 7 p.m., Ashton-Franklin Center at St. Anne, 7 p.m., Christian Life at Hope Christian, 7 p.m. SATURDAY, AUG. 22 Hiawatha at Milford/Cissna Park, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 4 Bradley-Bourbonnais at Stagg, 6 p.m., Kankakee at Rich Township, 7 p.m., Christ the King at Bishop McNamara, 7 p.m., Coal City at Lisle, 7 p.m., Manteno at Herscher, 7 p.m., Wilmington at Peotone, 7 p.m., ReedCuster at Streator, 7 p.m., Clifton Central at Momence, 7 p.m., Seneca at Iroquois West, 7 p.m., St. Thomas More at St. Anne, 7 p.m., Flanagan-Cornell/ Woodland at Milford/Cissna Park, 7 p.m., Blue Ridge at Hope Christian, 7 p.m.,

WEEK 2

FRIDAY, AUG. 28 St. Anne at Galva, 6 p.m., Bradley-Bourbonnais at Thornwood, 7 p.m., Lincoln-Way East at Kankakee, 7 p.m., Herscher at Bishop McNamara, 7 p.m., Morris at Coal City, 7 p.m., Manteno at Plano, 7 p.m., St. Theresa at Reed-Custer, 7 p.m., Wilmington at Morrison, 7 p.m., Bismarck-Henning at Clifton Central, 7 p.m., Momence at Oakwood, 7 p.m., Iroquois West at Hoopeston, 7 p.m., Milford/Cissna Park at Peoria Heights, 7 p.m., Peotone at Marengo, 7:30 p.m., Hope Christian at TBA

WEEK 4

FRIDAY, SEPT. 11 Thornton at Kankakee, 6 p.m., Bradley-Bourbonnais at Lincoln-Way East, 6:30 p.m., Bishop McNamara at Chicago Christian, 7 p.m., Streator at Coal City, 7 p.m., Herscher at Wilmington, 7 p.m., Lisle at Peotone, 7 p.m., ReedCuster at Manteno, 7 p.m., Clifton Central at Georgetown-Ridge Farm, 7 p.m., Westville at Momence, 7 p.m., Iroquois West at Salt Fork, 7 p.m., Hope Christian at St. Thomas More, 7 p.m.

WEEK 5

FRIDAY, SEPT. 18 Hope Christian at St. Anne, 6:30 p.m., Milford/Cissna Park at Blue Ridge, 6:30 p.m., Kankakee at Lincoln-Way West, 7 p.m., Aurora Christian at Bishop McNamara, 7 p.m., Coal City at Reed-Custer, 7 p.m., Herscher at Lisle, 7 p.m., Wilmington at Man-

Girls Flag Football Schedule MONDAY, AUG. 24 Bishop McNamara at Rosary, 5:30 p.m. Andrew at Bradley-Bourbonnais, 6:45 p.m. WEDNESDAY, AUG. 26 Kankakee at Thornton, 5 p.m. Marist at Bradley-Bourbonnais, 6:45 p.m. FRIDAY, AUG. 28 Bishop McNamara at St. Edward, 5 p.m. MONDAY, AUG. 31 Stagg at Bradley-Bourbonnais, 6:45 p.m. TUESDAY, SEPT. 1 Timothy Christian at Bishop McNamara, 5:30 p.m. Bradley-Bourbonnais at Plainfield East, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2 Bradley-Bourbonnais at Homewood-Flossmoor, 5:45 p.m. Kankakee at Bloom, 6 p.m. FRIDAY, SEPT. 4 Kankakee at Rich Township, 5 p.m. SATURDAY, SEPT. 5 All-City at Bradley-Bourbonnais (Bradley-Bourbonnais, Bishop McNamara, Kankakee), 10 a.m. MONDAY, SEPT. 7 Kankakee at Thornwood, 5 p.m. TUESDAY, SEPT. 8 Bishop McNamara at Mahomet-Seymour, 6 p.m. Danville at Bradley-Bourbonnais, 6:45 p.m.

teno, 7 p.m., Peotone at Streator, 7 p.m., Clifton Central at Oakwood, 7 p.m., Momence at Hoopeston, 7 p.m., Andrew at Bradley-Bourbonnais, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY, SEPT. 19 Bismarck-Henning at Iroquois West, 6 p.m.

WEEK 6

FRIDAY, SEPT. 25 Bradley-Bourbonnais at Lockport, 6:15 p.m., St. Anne at Blue Ridge, 6:30 p.m., Bishop McNamara at Marian Central, 7 p.m., Thornwood at Kankakee, 7 p.m., Manteno at Coal City, 7 p.m., Streator at Herscher, 7 p.m., Reed-Custer at Peotone, 7 p.m., Lisle at Wilmington, 7 p.m., Momence at Iroquois West, 7 p.m., St. Thomas More at Milford/Cissna Park, 7 p.m., Hope Christian at Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland, 7 p.m., SATURDAY, SEPT, 26 Clifton Central at Carlinville, 1 p.m.

WEEK 7

FRIDAY, OCT. 2 Bradley-Bourbonnais at CreteMoneee, 6 p.m., Bloom at Kankakee, 6 p.m., Wheaton Academy at Bishop McNamara, 7 p.m., Peotone at Coal City, 7 p.m., Herscher at Reed-Custer, 7 p.m., Lisle at Manteno, 7 p.m., Wilmington at Streator, 7 p.m., Westville at Clifton Central, 7 p.m., Momence at Salt Fork, 7 p.m., Iroquois West at Georgetown-Ridge Farm, 7 p.m., St. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9 Mahomey-Seymour at Kankakee, 6 p.m. Lockport at Bradley-Bourbonnais, 6:45 p.m. FRIDAY, SEPT. 11 Thornton at Kankakee, 4 p.m. MONDAY, SEPT. 14 Crete-Monee at Kankakee, 4:30 p.m. Bradley-Bourbonnais at Lincoln-Way East, 6 p.m. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16 Bishop McNamara at Homewood-Flossmoor, 4:30 p.m. Lincoln-Way West at Bradley-Bourbonnais, 6:45 p.m.

Anne at Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland, 7 p.m., Hope Christian at Milford/Cissna Park, 7 p.m.,

WEEK 8

FRIDAY, OCT. 9 Kankakee at Crete-Monee, 6 p.m., Hope Academy at Bishop McNamara, 7 p.m., Coal City at Herscher, 7 p.m., Homewood-Flossmoor at Bradley-Bourbonnais, 7:30 p.m., Peotone at Manteno, 7 p.m., Reed-Custer at Wilmington, 7 p.m., Clifton Central at Hoopeston, 7 p.m., Bismarck-Henning at Momence, 7 p.m., Oakwood at Iroquois West, 7 p.m., Milford/Cissna Park at St. Anne, 7 p.m.

WEEK 9

FRIDAY, OCT. 16 Kankakee at Thornridge, 6 p.m., Bishop McNamara at St. Edward, 7 p.m., Wilmington at Coal City, 7 p.m., Herscher at Peotone, 7 p.m., Manteno at Streator, 7 p.m., Lisle at Reed-Custer, 7 p.m., Iroquois West at Clifton Central, 7 p.m., Aurora Central Catholic at Momence, 7 p.m., Galva at Milford/ Cissna Park, 7 p.m., Peoria Heights at Hope Christian, 7 p.m. Sandburg at Bradley-Bourbonnais, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY, OCT. 17 Westminster Christian at St. Anne, 2 p.m., , Week 10 (First round of IHSA Playoffs), Friday, Oct. 23, Hope Christian at Martinsville, 6 p.m., St. Anne at Peoria Heights, 6:30 p.m., Milford/Cissna Park at Cerro Gordo, 7 p.m.

MONDAY, SEPT. 21 Rich Township at Kankakee, 6 p.m. Bradley-Bourbonnais at Lincoln-Way Central, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23 Bradley-Bourbonnais at Sandburg, 6:30 p.m. THURSDAY, SEPT. 24 Bradley-Bourbonnais at Whitney Young, 6:30 p.m. FRIDAY, SEPT. 25 Thornwood at Kankakee, 5 p.m. MONDAY, SEPT. 28 Christ the King at Bishop McNamara, 7 p.m.

3 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

Bishop McNamara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Bradley-Bourbonnais . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Kankakee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Wilmington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Coal City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Herscher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Manteno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Peotone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Reed Custer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Clifton Central, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Momence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Iroquois West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Hope Christian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Bishop McNamara FIGHTIN’ IRISH

Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

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Bishop McNamara heads into 2026 with momentum, athleticism 2026 Outlook Head Coach: Greg Youngblood (2nd season) Career Record: 10-1 Conference: Chicagoland Christian Last Playoff: Class 3A Second Round, 2025 Best Playoff: Class 3A State Champs, 2015 2025 Record: 10-1 By MASON SCHWEIZER

Last August, Bishop McNamara was undergoing a bit of a football identity crisis. The Fightin’ Irish weren’t just welcoming their fourth head coach in less than four calendar years, they were undergoing a program-long three-year playoff drought and at risk of sending their first class through high school without experiencing the postseason once. This fall, they find themselves on the periphery of state title contention. In Greg Youngblood’s first season leading the program, the Irish had a generational type season. They had their first undefeated regular season in 27 years, won the Chicagoland Christian Conference for their first conference title in 14 years and snapped that three-year playoff drought. “Our guys are excited for sure to continue to build off last year, knowing that it’s a completely different year and we can’t rest on our laurels,” Youngblood said. “We lost a lot of guys but we feel good about the guys we have. There’s a lot of enthusiasm, but we’re not going to sneak up on anybody. It’s a fun, exciting challenge.” Although a stacked, battle-tested senior class has moved on, the Irish bring back one of the area’s most loaded lists of returning standouts, a list that grew by one with the transfer of Rontez Smith from Bradley-Bourbonnais, a wide receiver/defensive back who started each of the last two seasons across town. He comes over to form one of the state’s most gifted wide receiver duos with classmate Malachi Lee, a combo that could lead to the Irish throwing more out of their run-heavy spread look they showed a year ago. “That’s a great problem to have,” Youngblood said. “As a coach I’ve got to be able to use all those guys’ abilities,

but they’re playmakers. It’s great to put the ball in their hands, for sure.” There’s a new quarterback to distribute the ball too, Lee’s twin brother Micah. After playing in a backup quarterback role last fall, Youngblood has seen Micah Lee make the rise as both a player and leader to take command of the huddle. “He’s had a good summer, a really good focus, his skills are sharp,” Youngblood said. “I’m excited for him to have a really good year.” Seniors Jack Purcell and Rylan Barzantny and junior Bo Shalley will also see time both out wide and in the secondary, where the Lee twins both return as lockdown corners. In the backfield, the tandem of All-Stater Julius May and Jordan Callaway has junior Rhys Landsmann and senior Zane Gulley looking to fill the void. While both backs offer some similarities to the backfield before them, Youngblood wants his fresh backfield to know they don’t need to try and do what May and Callaway did to have success, they just have to be the best versions of themselves. “You can’t be them, but we should have confidence in who we are and just have to do our thing,” Youngblood said. “We might be different, but that doesn’t mean worse.” Up front, Cooper Austin is the lone senior that’s back as a starter, but juniors Mason Hemenover, Carson Kochenberger and Magnus Rohr all saw significant snaps as sophomores too. They’ll all see their share of time in the defensive trenches, where senior Robbie Smith returns as an interior force, with Smith looking at more offensive snaps this fall. Landsmann and senior Michael Clark are a pair of starting linebackers that return at the heart of a defense that allowed two touchdowns or less seven

Bishop McNamara’s Micah Lee, right, stiff arms Lawrencville’s Zachary Coffey during a game at Bishop McNamara Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. Mason Schweizer times last fall. Junior Max Kirchner has wowed Youngblood over the offseason and is in line for the third spot in the unit. Chicagoland Christian started in 2023, something the Irish look to change in 2026. But before their conference slate, not only do they have another rivalry game with Herscher in Week 2, but visit defending Class 2A State cham-

pion Wilmington to kick off the season. So the Irish know they have to be ready to roll from the jump. “We’ve talked to them about the respect we have for Wilmington, the discipline they have, the way they execute, their toughness,” Youngblood said. “It’s that type of game and they’re always going to be good.”

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BOILERMAKERS Bradley-Bourbonnais aims to keep consistency as new era begins 2026 Outlook Head Coach: Joe Kubal (1st season) Career Record: 0-0 Conference: SouthWest Suburban Last Playoff: Class 6A Second Round, 2025 Best Playoff: Class 7A Semifinalist, 2015 2025 Record: 9-2 By MASON SCHWEIZER

One of the most consistent large schools south of I-80 the last several seasons, there’s plenty of change coming to a Bradley-Bourbonnais program in search of its fifth straight playoff appearance, a feat the Boilermakers have only accomplished once before. Former assistant coach Joe Kubal replaces Mike Kohl, the school’s alltime wins leader, as head coach, and will also call the defense. Another assistant, Cornell Middlebrook, is running the offense. And while they’ve got some key players back, a deep senior class led by two-time All-State first-teamer and Daily Journal Player of the Year Lyzale Edmon has moved on. But Kubal and Middlebrook becoming old faces in new roles is also symbolic for the players they’re coaching, as they’ve got a handful of dependable veterans and several promising players being thrust into larger roles. Junior quarterback Jamir Burt is in the latter of those groups. A receiver last year, Burt slides over to command a new-look offense under Middlebrook’s guidance, one that will look to take advantage of Burt’s legs and arm alike. “Jamir is a gifted athlete,” Kubal said. “He has a really good mind as far as understanding the game. His biggest challenge is just throwing the ball. He hasn’t been the quarterback before. In our run game he’s meshed really well. He understands what we’re trying to do. Anything new, there’s challenges ahead. There are things he’s got to focus on and work hard at simply because he hasn’t done it yet.”

The best friend for any quarterback is a good running game, and coincidentally that’s something the Boilermakers figure to have thanks in large part to one of Burt’s best friends. Junior Ky’ren Edmon has been a backfield presence since day one of his freshman year and looks to inherit a larger piece of the pie this season. Edmon, who has offers from Ole Miss, Wisconsin and Ohio, ran for 892 yards and 12 touchdowns in more of a committee role last year. He’ll cede carries to teammates like Bishop McNamara transfer Christian Anderson, Nahzir Brown and Clark Six, another deep backfield. But he’ll also be in line for the largest workload of his prep career. “When you have one of the best running backs in the state of Illinois it certainly helps,” Kubal said. “It frees up space for our other athletes, and we’ve got some good ones outside of Ky’ren. He’s obviously going to touch the ball a lot and I can’t say enough about what he’s done coming into camp. He’s worked tremendously hard and really led by his actions.” Up front, All-Area tackle Joel Morrical has to be replaced, but seniors Tyrell Berry, Andrew Mathews and Kolten Byrne return, as does junior Caiden Goddard to make the offensive line the Boilers’ most experienced group on the field. “We’re very happy with the progression up front,” Kubal said. “The great thing about that offensive line is they’ve really stuck together in that weight room all summer. Every time I walked in there, every session, there they are

Bradley-Bourbonnais’ Jamir Burt runs for a first down during the Boilermakers’ victory over Stagg on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. Tiffany Blanchette and they’re pushing each other.” On the flip side, senior Jaiden Montgomery is the only starter on the defensive front, where sophomore Lincoln Middlebrook could be a difference maker at end. Classmate Jayden Cooper slides from inside linebacker to outside and figures to be one of the leaders Kubal can count on. The secondary brings back some experience, even with the transfer of third-year starting senior Rontez Smith to Bishop McNamara. Junior Kayden Bowens is back at cornerback, where senior Keshawn Tucker is also moving to. Senior free safety Rylon McCue is also back. Kubal has loved the progress the

Boilers made over the summer and early on in practice. They’ll look to keep that growth going during the season, one in which they have a full SouthWest Suburban Conference grind after merging with the DuPage Valley Conference the last two years. “It’s an adjustment to the point where we have to understand what we have to do to prepare the right way in order to compete in those games and win those games,” Kubal said. “It’s not something I have any control over, so ultimately we’ve got to worry about ourselves first and continue to get better in all aspects of the game day in and day out.”

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PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

Bradley-Bourbonnais

Kankakee KAYS

Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

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Kankakee, QB Phillip Turner ready to take next step in 2026 2026 Outlook Head Coach: Ed Hazelett (2nd season) Career Record: 7-4 Conference: Southland Last Playoff: Class 5A Second Round, 2025 Best Playoff: Class 5A Second place, 2021 2024 Record: 7-4 By MASON SCHWEIZER

One of the telltale signs that a program has leveled up is the feeling that any given year won’t be a rebuilding year as much as a retooling year. At Kankakee, that’s exactly how the Kays feel as they enter 2026 with senior leadership at key positions and several potential stars in the younger classes. For the third year in a row, Phillip Turner enters the season as Kankakee’s quarterback. He’s thrown for 2,607 yards and 32 touchdowns, with another 530 yards and nine scores on the ground, through two seasons. But the scary part for opposing defenses is that second-year coach Ed Hazelett believes he just started to see things really come into focus for Turner this summer. “This summer it’s clicked and I just see a totally different person,” Hazelett said. “Mentally, physically, the way he’s carried himself in the community, I couldn’t be more proud of Phil. We’re only going to go as far as he can take us.” His top two weapons are gone from last year in Cedric Terrell III and Zeke Sherrod, but a promising cluster of sophomores has off-the-charts potential. Davion White saw action last fall and is now being thrust into a key role, while George Noble’s one of the speediest athletes in the state and Isaiah Robinson has emerged with his athletic skillset over the summer. Senior David Andrade also returns after excelling at tight end last year. In the backfield, even more excite-

ment abounds. Junior Kymani Billings grew into a presence there last year, turning just 18 carries into 128 yards and three scores. He’ll have a more consistent role this fall. A pair of seniors also have the chance for some touches, as linebacker Zion Thomas will be more of a two-way player and Zayden Henley looks to get healthy after injury held him in check as a junior. As the Kays look for a seventh straight postseason, Hazelett believes this might be their biggest offensive line during that stretch. Junior Dameir Green is back for his third season as a starting guard, with senior Alex Thomas also returning as a starter. “We’re a lot bigger than we were last year weight-wise,” Hazelett said. “We’ve just got a lot of guys eager to play the position. They want to be nasty, they want to be offensive linemen. There’s nothing better in football than playing offensive line.” The defensive line returns a pair of stars in four-year starting tackle Jyheir Sutton, who gobbled up 36 tackles for loss last year, and sophomore Kendrick Crite back at end. At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Hazelett has seen Crite develop into a beast of an end over the offseason. “[Crite] has been on his little spring tour and was ripping on kids,” Hazelett said. “He’s been going to Big Ten camps and just dominating.” Senior Caden Benson is back at linebacker, serving as the quarterback of the defense. Thomas is also back at his spot to return a combined 122 tackles

Kankakee’s Kymani Billings deflects a tackle by Nazareth’s Emmett Hartnett during Kankakee’s 33-12 loss to Nazareth on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. Tiffany Blanchette (70 for Thomas, 52 for Benson) in the heart of the defense. Billings and White will be key figures in the secondary, as will senior safety Braden Jordan, someone Hazelett said is ready to break out and been one of the summer’s best kept secrets ahead of his final prep campaign. The Kays figure to continue to contend for the Southland title, seeing Crete-Monee take it from them after winning it the last two years. With a little more conference depth anticipated

this fall, as well as another tough nonconference slate that includes trips to Edwardsville and Lincoln-Way West and a Week 2 home game against Lincoln-Way East, Hazelett said they have to bring their A-game every week to be where they want to be at come the end of October. “Every week is important,” Hazelett said. “We’re not looking ahead to Week 2 or Week 3. We just try to take it one game at a time and want to go 1-0. If we keep stacking those 1-0s up we’ll be fine by the end of the year.”

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Defending state champion Wilmington re-tools with same high expectations 2026 Outlook Coach: Jeff Reents (33rd season) Career Record: 298-66 Last Playoff: Class 2A State Champions, 2025 Best Playoff: Class 2A State Champions, 2025 2025 Record: 13-1 By MASON SCHWEIZER

Perhaps the only athletic feat tougher than winning a championship is repeating that performance the next season. Defending Class 2A State champion Wilmington not only knows that, but it’s something the Wildcats embrace. “I think the kids have those expectations,” Wilmington coach Jeff Reents said. “They were excited to get going this summer. The enthusiasm has been high and we’re really happy with how the summer went. We had really good attendance, the kids are fired up and they want to make sure they continue that tradition.” The Wildcats earned their third state title in five years and fourth during Reents’ tenure last fall. They lost a senior class that included four Daily Journal All-Area first-team and All-Illinois Central Eight picks in running back/defensive back Ryan Kettman, offensive lineman/linebacker Zach Ohlund, offensive/defensive lineman Logan Van Duyne and quarterback/ defensive back Billy Moore, the former two of whom were also All-State picks. But it’s anything but a rebuilding year for the Wildcats. Junior Hunter Kaitschuck will move up a spot in the pecking order as the featured wing back after going for 990 yards and 21 touchdowns on just 74 carries last year. He’s got senior teammates Dane Van Duyne and Finn Bryant also back with him, as well as senior fullback Ryan Schraeger. With a boat load of seniors up front, including returning starting tight ends Declan Moran and Cooper Holman, the former of whom was an All-Area pick last fall, and tackle Will Wilson, as well as senior Nash Rink moving to guard, there figures to be plenty of room for the backfield to navigate once again in 2026.

Also factoring into the run scheme is senior quarterback Brysen Meents, whether that’s with the ball in his hands or as an extra blocker. Defensively, Moran is back at outside linebacker, where he recorded 71 tackles last year. He’s expected to be the ringleader of the unit this season, but a lot of the same faces making waves on offense will be out there defensively. Wilson and Schraeger provide experience up front while Kaitschuck and Rink add help to the linebacker unit. Reents is especially eager to see his secondary in action, particularly Bryant at cornerback and Meents roaming the field at safety. The Wildcats host Bishop McNamara and Wilmington’s Declan Moran, center left, zones in on El Paso-Gridley’s Aaden Adams, right, as he carries the ball visit Morrison before they in the Class 2A semifinal in November 2025. Nicholas Holstein start ICE play, a conference slate that ends with arch rival Coal City. And while the X’s and O’s will surely be important as the season goes, Reents said that like every year, the way this year’s team bonds and comes together will determine their ultimate fate, and it’s off to a good start. “We always talk about the high Country Chevrolet Berkot’s Super Foods expectations they have,” Reents said of Greif First Trust & Savings Bank his players. “I think along with that, the biggest thing we’ve had with those good Oak Orthopedics Crosswell Ford teams is that they were good on the field Riverside Healthcare and good off the field. They pulled for one another and were a true team. … Every kid wants to have a great season, but it’s one thing to talk about it and another to do it.”

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PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

Wilmington WILDCATS

Coal City COALERS

Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

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Coal City aiming to meet high expectations after consecutive lengthy playoff runs 2026 Outlook Coach: Francis Loughran (6th season) Career Record: 40-17 Last Playoff: Class 4A Quarterfinals, 2025 Best Playoff: Class 2A State Champions, 1993 2025 Record: 9-3 By ADAM TUMINO

Coal City has been one of the most consistently competitive programs in Class 4A since moving there in 2002, winning 72% of its games and making the postseason 21 times, including in all five seasons under current head coach Francis Loghran. But the Coalers have not hoisted a state trophy since they won a 2A title 33 years ago and have not been back to the finals since a second-place finish in 2004. The Coalers made a quarterfinal run a season ago and a semifinal run in 2024, but have now fallen to the eventual state champion in each of the last three postseasons. But it any Coal City team is to get back to the biggest stage, this might be the team to do it. “It all starts with them,” Loughran said of his title-hungry players. “We put it out there in the offseason what their goals are, and as coaches we try to remind them, ‘hey, these are your goals.’ It’s about putting the time and work into it. This group is going to compete each and every week, they’re going to work hard in practice. It’s about doing those things so on Friday’s we can play our best. If we do those things, I think we can achieve the goals they’ve set for themselves.” The Coalers bring back experience all over the field in 2026, and with three Daily Journal All-Area first team players back from last season in quarterback Connor Henline, running back Logan Natyshok and defensive tackle Emmett Easton, they are the only area team with multiple first teamers back on the roster. Henline threw for 2,035 yards and 29 touchdowns last season, Natyshok had 1,875 scrimmage yards and 30 touchdowns and Easton had 66 total tackles, including eight for loss and six sacks. Running back/linebacker Aiden

Scrogham brings lots of experience back as well, with Brady D’Orazio joining Easton at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Having all this experience back certainly puts Coal City in a good position to continue their winning ways. “Making that jump from sophomore to varsity can be t o u g h , ” Loughran said. “Some of those, having a taste of that last year, Coal City quarterback Connor Henline (13) passes as Streator defender Riley Stevens (12) tries to swat it down in they’re all stepSeptember 2025 at Doug Dieken Stadium in Streator. Katy Arnond ping into a role where they can help our younger guys and help our team with their play this year. It’s good to have guys with experience. The more we know in the beginning of the year, the quicker we can do things.” Coal City will close out the regular season at home against rival and defending state champion Wilmington, Country Chevrolet Berkot’s Super Foods a team the Coalers haven’t beaten since Greif First Trust & Savings Bank 2019. Things won’t start off easy either, Oak Orthopedics Crosswell Ford with the Coalers playing Morris in Week 2, the only team to beat WilmingRiverside Healthcare ton last season. Morris was the only team to beat Wilmington last season, and Coal City and Morris were the only two teams to score more than 20 points against the Wildcats.

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Herscher TIGERS

2026 Outlook Head Coach: Mike Mosier (5th season) Career Record: 13-24 Last Playoff: 3A First Round, 2025 Best Playoff: Class 3A State Runner-Up, 1998 2025 Record: 6-4 By ADAM TUMINO

The area’s longest playoff drought came to an end last season with the Tigers earning a spot in the 3A postseason for the first time since 2019, snapping a streak of six consecutive sub-.500 seasons in the process. Last season’s senior class accounted for the vast majority of the team’s production, so if the Tigers want to earn another spot in this season’s expanded playoff field, some new faces will have to step up. Head coach Mike Mosier said his young and relatively inexperienced roster is ready to try and follow up last season’s success, albeit without talented 2026 seniors like quarterback Tanner Jones, offensive lineman and linebacker Tanner Hull and jack-of-alltrades Mason Roberts. Despite losing a large senior class, Mosier said he has been happy with how the program’s less-experienced players have risen to the challenge so far, whether they’ve played high school football before or not. “We’re young, but we’re getting it fast,” he said. “They’re excited coming in, and we have a whole new focus. “...One of our biggest standouts is a senior who’s played soccer for three years and decided to come over and play football, and that’s Brock Berns. He’s had a sensational summer so far in everything he’s done. For the junior

newcomers, Dalton Grob has been very big filling up Tanner Jones’ shoes at quarterback. He’s had a really, really good summer so far for us. And Drew Wenzelman on the defensive side has shown a lot of promise for us as a junior.” Mosier said returnering seniors like receiver Gaige Brown, who was third on the team with 201 receiving yards a season ago, and experienced linemen Mason Zirkle and Brayden Crews have been helpful in getting the junior class up to speed, and as the season progresses, Mosier said he just wants to see the team continue to develop. “I just want to see us keep competing and getting better,” he said. “We’re young, but I really like the vibe that they have. They work hard, they run hard and they do everything at top speed. We just want to keep growing from there.” The Tigers finished third in the ICE standings a season ago, with wins like Week 3’s 28-23 victory over Manteno on a last-second goal-line stand and Week 7’s 19-13 overtime win over Reed-Custer helping get them over the playoff threshold. Two of their losses came to Bishop McNamara, one in the playoffs, The Tigers will face the rival Fightin’ Irish again in Week 2 as part of a tough early-season slate that is followed up with a home game with Manteno and road game at Wilmington.

Herscher’s Gaige Brown, right, nearly intercepts a pass intended for Bishop McNamara’s Malachai Lee, center, in the end zone during Bishop McNamara’s 38-14 victory in the IHSA Class 3A first round playoff game in October 2025. Tiffany Blanchette

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PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

Herscher turning to new faces after snapping lengthy playoff drought

Manteno PANTHERS

Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Manteno brings back plenty of talent despite big change at quarterback 2026 Outlook Coach: RJ Haines (21st season) Career Record: 121-113 (98-94 at Manteno) Last Playoff: Class 4A First Round, 2025 Best Playoff: Class 4A Quarterfinals, 2014 2025 Record: 6-4 By ADAM TUMINO

While ICE rivals like Coal City, Peotone and Reed-Custer are bringing back senior quarterbacks with some varsity experience in 2026, Manteno finds itself in the position of replacing Connor Harrod, their own experienced, senior quarterback from a season ago, who helped lead the Panthers to consecutive playoff appearances his final two years. No matter who is under center, veteran head coach and IHSFCA Hall of Famer RJ Haines said there’s enough talent on the field to support that quarterback transition. “We’ve still got guys competing for spots, we’ve got a lot of guys that can play, so we’re just looking for guys who can go out there and compete,” he said. “Franklin Jordan and Nick Honkisz are two of our better leaders. Some guys that are up and coming who maybe weren’t in the headlines last year, like David Asher and Jack Gotkowski, are going to fill some big roles for us in the defensive secondary and on offense.” Jordan was the team’s leading tackler last season, and Honkisz was its second-leading rusher behind Harrod, posting 594 rushing yards on 104 carries. Returning first-team All-ICE offensive and defensive lineman Joe Coley, who had 34 total tackles and five tackles for loss last season, speedy wide receiver/defensive back Briggs Cann and experienced tight end/linebacker Shaun Chantome give the Panthers the pieces to battle through a competitive

conference. “Wilmington and Coal City are obviously the cream of the crop, but for the rest of us, I think it’s really good football,” Haines said. “I don’t see anything being different than it has been. I think it’s going to be competitive. There’s a lot of g r e a t Manteno’s Nicholas Honkisz, left, carries the ball on a play as Herscher’s Aleksander Draper, right, moves in for the coaches in our tackle attempt in a game in September 2025. Nicholas Holstein league and everyone does a good job of prepping their kids and getting them ready for Friday, and there’s a lot of talent in our conference. “...But I’m glad the offseason is over. We’re ready to go.” Berkot’s Super Foods Oak Orthopedics Manteno had its share of ICE battles a season ago, including a five-point loss Riverside Healthcare Country Chevrolet to Herscher in the conference opener in First Trust & Savings Bank Destination Yoga Week 3 and five-point wins over ReedCuster in Week 4 and Peotone in Week 8 Crosswell Ford Greif in the latest edition of the Rumble on Route 50.

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Peotone BLUE DEVILS

2026 Outlook Coach: Apolstolos Tsiamas (12th season) Career Record: 55-48 Last Playoff: Class 3A First Round, 2024 Best Playoff: Class 3A Second Round, 2023 2025 Record: 3-6 By ADAM TUMINO

Peotone and head coach Apostolos Tsiamas have won with inexperienced teams in the past, but with a juniorheavy roster a season ago, the Blue Devils came up a bit short of the program’s recent standard. Three onescore losses kept the Blue Devils out of the postseason for the first time in seven years, but heading into 2026, those younger players from a season ago are back with lots of experience under their belts from those competitive games. Of the team’s major offensive contributors among skill players a season ago, only one was a senior. Back are four of the team’s five leading rushers, including leading rusher and leading receiver Nick Cronin and starting quarterback Alex Chenoweth. Leading tacklers Declan McMaster and Eli Chenoweth are back to help anchor a defense that Tsiamas said will need to take a major step forward, but thanks to that experience and a few promising newcomers, he thinks they’re primed for a bounceback season. “We’ve got a lot of kids back from last year’s team, and we were super young last year, so that transition phase into the summer has been a lot smoother this year,” Tsiamas said. “Alex Chenoweth, our quarterback, he’s going to be a four-year varsity player this year. He’s been outstanding from a leader-

ship perspective and is one of the better athletes on our team. We’ve got Nick Cronin back whose going to play running back and linebacker, and he’s been phenomenal as well. And Declan McMaster has taken some really nice steps here these last two years.” Alex Chenoweth threw for 565 yards and six touchdowns last season while running for 265 more yards. Cronin ran for 505 yards and six touchdowns on 102 carries and had 221 receiving yards and four more touchdowns on just 10 catches. Both were factors on defense as well, with Chenoweth having 38 tackles and Cronin leading the team with two interceptions. Other senior twoway threats like Eli Chenoweth and Tyler Walker figure to be key contributors, while lineman Jake Voss looks to impact the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball as well. While last season’s youth may have hindered the Blue Devils at times, it has now allowed them to head into 2026 as an experienced and confident group. “Last year our youth kind of showed,” Tsiamas said. “We’ve had other seasons where we were kind of young like that, but last year it just didn’t materialize for whatever reason, and that’s something that we’ve really tried to stress to those kids that have come back. “...Our seniors have done a really good job of leading by example. We’ve

Peotone’s Nick Cronin breaks away for a touchdOwn during the Blue Devils’ 25-20 loss to Manteno in October 2025 in the annual Rumble on Route 50 rivalry game. Tiffany Blanchette got a nice junior class behind them that’s following their lead, but we’ll go

as our seniors go. So far, so good with them.”

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PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

Peotone looking for bounceback year after missing playoffs for first time since 2018

Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

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Reed-Custer COMETS

Reed-Custer looking to continue upward trajectory in 2nd year under Joe Turek 2026 Outlook Coach: Joe Turek (2nd season) Career Record: 4-5 Last Playoff: Class 3A State Quarterfinal, 2022 Best Playoff: Class 3A State Quarterfinal, 2022 2025 Record: 4-5 By ADAM TUMINO

Heading into last season, ReedCuster was coming off its third one-win season in the last six years. In came new head coach Joe Turek, who brought along over a decade of experience with the JV and sophomore teams at Lincoln-Way East. They may have finished below .500 for the 14th time in the last 16 seasons, but under Turek, Comets started heading in the right direction. Looking to continue that trend for another season is a group of key returning players. This experience, especially at key positions, has Turek feeling good

about where things are at. “We’ve got a solid group of guys who made an impact last year as young kids, and now they’re one year older and they’re going to be taking on leadership-type roles,” Turek said. “Jesse Tresouthick has been great, Kaiden Klein, Nate Vogler, Eddie Bryan. Those four guys have kind of tried to pave the way with their work ethic and what they’re doing, just building off what they did last year as young guys.” Tresouthick, the team’s quarterback, is back as a senior while receivers/defensive backs Klein and Bryan have built on their sophomore seasons

in 2026 to take on leadership roles as juniors this season, and should give Tresouthick some reliable options to throw to. Vogler brings his experience back to the fullback/linebacker positions while fellow senior Alejandro Fierro will anchor offensive and defensive lines that are otherwise breaking in some new faces like Jon Claassen and Hayden Garcia, both of whom have impressed Turek so far with their offseason work. Easing the entire offseason process, and helping the Comets get ready for Week 1, is the fact that this offseason is Turek’s second with the program. That familiarity he has with the players and staff, and the familiarity they have with him, has allowed things to develop in a more natural way. “Year two is obviously way more comfortable,” he said. “I’m getting to

know the guys, getting to know them as people, seeing them grow and mature instead of me being a stranger to them. We’ve gotten closer together, and that kind of just happens naturally over time. Just overall, the relationships were pretty much brand new in June and now I’ve been around everyone in the program for quite some time it feels like.” The Comets got off to a solid 2-1 start last season, and with their first three opponents combining for four wins in 2025, another hot start could be in the books. Should the Comets then look to finish over .500, they would likely need to flip the result of last season’s 26-21 loss to Manteno or their 19-13 overtime loss to Herscher.

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13 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

Central COMETS

Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Clifton Central to lean on experienced senior skill group in year 2 under Jeff Perzee 2026 Outlook Head Coach: Jeff Perzee (2nd season) Career Record: 9-2 Last Playoff: Class 2A Second Round Best Playoff: Class 2A Semifinals, 2012 2025 Record: 9-2 By ADAM TUMINO

When IHSFCA Hall of Famer Brian Spooner retired following the 2024 season, Clifton Central turned to 1994 grad Jeff Perzee to run the program. It didn’t take the Comets very long to respond to the change in leadership as they posted their winningest season and picked up their first playoff win since 2019’s quarterfinal run. Heading into year two of the Perzee era, the Comets have plenty of firepower at their disposal for a solid follow up season. While sophomore quarterback Cash Minard is taking over for single-season passing yards and touchdowns record holder Brady Shule, and the young signal caller will have nearly all of Shule’s targets to lean on in receivers Derek Meier, Kaden Neveu and Andrew Rohlwing. “We’re really excited about our skill kids,” Perzee said. “It’s going to take time for Cash and them to get in rhythm and really trust each other, but they’re definitely coming a long way. Our senior leadership is really working with Cash and helping him not get down when he makes mistakes. It’s definitely a huge asset having our skill kids all back, and we’re looking forward to them having huge senior years.” Meier had 38 catches for 590 yards and eight touchdowns while also having 181 yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. Neveu missed three games but still had 30 catches for 611 yards and

nine touchdowns. Senior Mayson Mitchell will also return to football after two years away, giving Minard another athletic target. Leading rusher Everett Bailey back will be back after taking last season off of wrestling to focus on bulking up for a senior season as the team’s primary running back. Jake Thompson was second-team All-VVC as an offensive and defensive lineman last season, recording 41 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, one sack and one pick six on the defensive end. A pair of early home games will be followed by four straight road games in November. The Comets then come back to Clifton for a homecoming clash with Westville, the team that handed them their lone VVC loss a season ago. Perzee said he expects the conference to be highly competitive once again, especially top-end teams like defending conference champion Westville, but he and his team are ready to go. “We’re ready for some real football,” he said. “Summer is a grind. Our kids were down at times, and we like to push them a little bit. “...Our goal is 9-0 and conference champs, which has never happened for us in the Vermilion Valley. But we also know the top end of our conference is pretty tough because a lot of those teams have a lot of returning guys too. It’s going to be a fun, exciting season.”

Clifton Central senior quarterback Brady Shule hands off to Everett Bailey during Dwight’s 43-14 victory over Clifton Central in second round playoffs in November 2025. Jake Carr

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Momence REDSKINS

2026 Outlook Head Coach: Wayne Walker (11th season) Career Record: 46-46 Last Playoff: Class 2A First Round, 2024 Best Playoff: Class 2A semifinalist 1991 2025 Record: 4-5

By ADAM TUMINO

Momence missed out on the playoffs by the narrowest of margins last season. A win in either a one-point, overtime loss to Oakwood on opening night and a two-point loss to Salt Fork in Week 6 would have put Momence in its third straight postseason. Instead, those two heartbreaking losses kept Momence at home in November. A roster with a decent mix of two and threeyear varsity players and talented newcomers is now leading the way for a team hoping to earn a spot in the expanded 2026 postseason field. “Our biggest goal this year is getting back to the playoffs,” head coach Wayne Walker said. “Claw, scratch, whatever we’ve got to do to win the games we should be winning and fighting in the other games, and they should all be battles. “...Even in those tight games, they’re going to prove this year that whatever bind we get in we can fight through it and be a better football team in that situation.” Momence also said goodbye to fouryear starting quarterback Erick Castillo after last season. Taking Castillo’s place is junior Greyson Cantwell, and although he didn’t play much in his first two seasons behind Castillo, he still made an impact. He came in for an injured Castillo in the team’s playoff loss to Dwight in 2024 and threw a

touchdown on his first drive. Cantwell has completed nine of the 19 passes he’s thrown in varsity play for 120 yards and that touchdown as a freshman. While Castillo leave big shoes to fill, Walker said that Cantwell has shown that he’s willing and able to try and fill them. “When we had him as a freshman and he came into that playoff game with Dwight and threw a touchdown on his first or second play, we knew we had something good here,” Walkers said. “We saw it at JV too, and this summer he’s grown even more and gotten a little bit thicker. With his ability to take over the huddle right now, he’s doing really good.” Cantwell will have fellow junior Jayden Dau to throw to, coming off a season where he had 44 catches for 816 yards. Especially with a young and inexperienced quarterback, having a reliable receiver like Dau is a benefit, even more so considering the large number of freshman skill players that will contribute at the varsity level this season. “Jayden coming back, that’s been a big blessing, especially with him only being a junior,” Walker said. “We’ve had some young freshmen stepping into roles at the receiver position, and with his leadership he’s getting those guys ready for what we’re trying to do on our routes, with blocking and all that different stuff.”

Clifton Central’s Evan Cox runs through tackles during the Comets’ 24-6 victory over Knoxville in the Class 1A first-round playoff game in November 2025. Nicholas Holstein

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PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

Momence has sights set on return to postseason after disappointing finish to 2025

Iroquois West RAIDERS/ Hope Christian EAGLES

Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

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Iroquois West sees numbers surge in support of experienced returning group 2026 Outlook Head Coach: Tim Hamilton (4th season) Career Record: 4-23 Last Playoff: Class 1A First Round, 2022 Best Playoff: Class 1A State Champions, 2003 2025 Record: 1-8 By ADAM TUMINO

Under coach Tim Hamilton, Iroquois West has spent the last three seasons trying to build back following consecutive playoff appearances in 2021 and 2022. The Raiders went 3-6 in Hamilton’s first season in 2023, down to 0-9 in 2024 and then up to 1-8 a season ago. But after seeing participation numbers dwindle in recent years, and seeing VVC rival Watseka forced to pull back to a JV-only schedule in 2026, the Raiders got some much-needed reinforcements this season.

“Our numbers are up this year,” Hamilton said. “We’re up to about 37, which is about 10 players more than we had last year, or the last two years actually. We’ve got some more competition and things are looking good.” Having more players to turn to is a nice bonus, but since the roster was smaller the last few years, the team’s upperclassmen have been able to gain more experience than they otherwise might have. With them leading the way, it allows the newcomers to have an example to follow as they get up to

speed at the varsity level. “The one big thing is that our team, while we’re still young, we’ve been very young in the past,” Hamilton said. “Our seniors have been playing since they were sophomores, and our juniors, they played last year as sophomores. So the experience, everyone knows what to do more. Our attitude is really good. We’re putting in a new offense this year and the kids have reacted really well to it.” Key returners include junior quarterback/linebacker Aayden Miller and senior lineman Drew Talbert. Miller threw for 120 yards and ran for 200 more as a sophomore while leading the team with 58 total tackles. Talbert was close behind with 55 total tackles. Each had three tackles for loss and a sack, tying them with junior lineman Grant Frisbie for the most among returning players. Offensive and defensive lineman Noah Shrove, a junior, and Adam

Hall, a senior, join Miller, Talbert and Frisbie as team captains. Aaron Songer, a senior in 2026 and a four-year varsity player, is the team’s leading returning receiver, recording 93 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns a season ago. “[Miller] has been a really good leader,” Hamilton said. “The kid has an unbelievable arm, plus he can run the ball really well, so we’re looking for big things from him. Our line is more established, and we’re not playing freshmen and sophomores. But we’re in a very competitive conference, so each game is going to be a dogfight for us.” The Raiders’ lone win last year came in Week 1 against Hoopeston, a team they will now play in Week 2 after opening the season against defending VVC champions Westville.

Hope Christian ready to throw hat in the ring of Illinois 8-man football landscape 2026 Outlook Head Coach: Tracey Erickson (1st season) Career Record: N/A Conference: Illinois 8-Man Football Association Last Playoff: N/A Best Playoff: N/A 2025 Record: N/A By ADAM TUMINO

There have been a lot of changes recently for Hope Christian Academy. Formerly Kankakee Trinity Academy, the school underwent a renaming and rebranding earlier this year. The athletic department got a new logo and color scheme to go with these changes, as well as a new program set to debut this fall. Hope Christian became the third Daily Journal area school to field an 8-man football program, joining original Illinois 8-Man Football Association program Milford/Cissna Park and a St. Anne program that was brought back in 2023. Leading the way as this fledgling program gets off the ground is coach Tracey Erickson. A 1977 Bradley-Bourbonnais grad and 1981 Olivet Nazarene grad, Erickson played football at both schools. While most of his

coaching experience has come with baseball, he said he’s excited to get back to the gridiron with the Eagles, even if the process of building a program from scratch has presented plenty of challenges. “The problem is when you launch a new program, everything is new,” he said. “You’re not bringing people back from the year prior, so everything has to be learned, mostly the plays and defensive strategies. There’s a lot there to get done in a short time, but I think we’re doing pretty well. “...I haven’t done a lot of coaching as far as football goes, but I’ve done a lot of coaching as far as baseball goes. But I know football and I know how to coach.” A member of the school board at Hope Christian and the grandfather of students at the school, Erickson

coached baseball at Trinity when the school had a team and has served as an assistant at his alma mater Olivet Nazarene. Erickson said he expects juniors Xavier Grimmett, a Bradley-Bourbonnais transfer, Tyler Huizinga, Jeremiah Blanchette, Jayden Stewart and Jackson Wood all to make an impact this season and beyond as the program continues to grow, and he’s excited to see what they do once games begin. “We’re looking to just being able to compete,” he said. “We had a dream last year that we neede to have a football team this year, so we got into this 8-man

Illinois league. We’re just excited about having the chance to compete against some of the other schools, including private schools and public schools that have 8-man football teams. “...But we’ll have to wait and see. We don’t know what we have until we know what we have.” The Eagles will make their football debut at home in Week 1 against Christian life. They will match up with their fellow local 8-man teams later on, visiting St. Anne in Week 5 and hosting Milford/Cissna Park in Week 7.

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BEARCATS

Milford/Cissna Park keeps expectations high with plans on continuing playoff streak 2026 Outlook Coach: Clint Schwartz (15th season) Coach Record: 78-57 Conference: Illinois 8-Man Football Association Last Playoff: I8FA First Round, 2025 Best Playoff: I8FA State Champs, 2018 2025 record: 6-4 By MASON SCHWEIZER

The first-ever I8FA State champs in 2018 and finalists again a year later, Milford/Cissna Park has yet to miss an 8-Man postseason. That’s a streak they plan on continuing in 2026 with hopes on not just making the playoffs, but making a run at that state championship. That’s the expectation from his players that longtime coach Clint Schwartz has grown to love about his program, even before they joined the 8-Man game. “We talk about how in our last few years of 11-Man it wasn’t always the prettiest football that was happening, but we’ve always had resilient kids and kids that were willing to do whatever the coaches asked them to do,” Schwartz said. That kind of laid the foundation for when we transitioned over to 8-Man football. … They enjoy - it’s not pressure - but the expectation of having success and they understand that that means you can’t just show up when the season starts.” For just the second time since joining the I8FA, the Bearcats will have to replace a two-year starting quarterback in All-Stater Dierks Neukomm. Schwartz said that Neukomm’s shoes won’t be able to be filled by just one person, and as they near the start of the season, the battle for QB1 between senior Jace Comstock and sophomore Maddox Muehling is still ongoing. “They know what comes along with [playing quarterback and the competition],” Schwartz said. “There’s a whole lot of conversations between me and

them and they’re both enjoying it so far. I think we’ll be fine no matter which way we go. Both kids are happy with whoever does (win the job). They just want what’s best for the team.” Whoever starts the season under center will have some fun weapons at their disposal, particularly the senior duo of running back Mario Martinez and running back/wide receiver Skyler Estay, with Martinez the thunder and Estay the lightning of the duo. They’ll be running behind an almost entirely new offensive line anchored by seniors Mario Grimaldo, Braden Forbes and Noah Brittenham. “Those guys have stepped up and they’re excited,” Schwartz said. “They do a good job of being leaders, which is a fun part of having an older group. We might not have a lot of seniors, but all Milford-Cissna Park’s Skyler Estay runs the ball against St. Anne defenders during St. Anne’s seven of them on our roster are going to 61-28 victory over Milford-Cissna Park in October 2025. Michael Savoie see a lot of playing time.” Martinez, Forbes and senior Lucas Summers look to lead the defense at middle linebacker, with Estay returning on the outside in a hybrid role. And whichever side of the ball they’re on, it’s that senior leadership Schwartz and the Bearcats are counting on. “It goes back to those expectations, Country Chevrolet Berkot’s Super Foods and our kids had a really good offseaGreif First Trust & Savings Bank son,” Schwartz said. “Now that footOak Orthopedics Crosswell Ford ball’s officially started our kids have had some really good practices and it’s Riverside Healthcare just fun to see that every year. It’s fun to see who’s going to step up. Luckily our guys have been willing to rise to the challenge and it’s just a fun thing to see, especially as a coach.”

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PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

Milford-Cissna Park

St. Anne CARDINALS

Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

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St. Anne looks to keep things rolling after back-to-back postseason appearances 2026 Outlook Head Coach: Alan Rood (4th season) Career Record: 31-18, 20-11 at St. Anne Conference: Illinois 8-Man Football Association Last Playoff: I8FA Quarterfinals, 2025 Best Playoff: I8FA Quarterfinals, 2025 2025 Record: 9-2 By MASON SCHWEIZER

As St. Anne prepares for its fourth season back on the gridiron, this fall is the first time in more than 50 years that every player in the program has seen football a part of the school’s identity since their freshmen year. That means 2026 is the first time that the team’s seniors have had a full fouryear experience, and that’s something coach Alan Rood will rely on as the Cardinals look for their third straight postseason with an 18-player roster. “Theyre working hard, they have positive energy and that’s what it’s about,” Rood said. “We’re here to continue to prove. Our goal is to continue to prove and to hold that tradition alive for another year, and that’s what these seniors are really buying.” The Cardinals boast four four-year players in offensive/defensive linemen Mason Romein and Raymond Grant, quarterback/running back/linebacker Damarius Lucas and running back/ linebacker Gavin Threm. They have a total of nine seniors, including Daily Journal All-Area honorable mention two-way lineman Jyimere Thomas, giving the Cardinals a ton of experienced size in the trenches. And while players like Lucas and Threm have made the most of their opportunities the past few years, they’re being thrust into much larger roles after a special class graduated that fall and left plenty of reps up for grabs. That all begins under center, where Grant Pomaranski started the last two years prior to his graduation. Lucas and junior Evan Harpster have spent the

summer battling to take over the position. While Harpster brings more experience as the backup quarterback last year, Rood’s taken note of Lucas’ dedication. “Damarius has excelled pretty well at it because he’s been a student of the game all these years,” Rood said. “He’s wanted to learn as much as he could, so I think that’s helping him out.” Threm slides to the backfield after playing most of last year out wide, with junior John Fifer also expected to shoulder some of the workload and senior Anthony Lopez taking on H-back duties. Look for sophomore Trey Huffman to get his first action at receiver. While they’ll look to rotate and stay fresh, look for several Cardinals to see plenty of two-way action, including their linemen. Lucas, Fifer, Harpster and junior Gavin Romein expect to play at the outside linebacker spots while Threm and Lopez will lead the defense from the middle. While depth will be a challenge as the wear and tear of a season builds up, Rood said his roster is well-versed in covering multiple positions, and although they’re small in roster size, his Cardinals have some pretty legit talent as they look for a third straight quarterfinals appearance. “A lot of guys are starters and then backups at other positions,” Rood said. “ … Not every guy can play every position. But we’ve got 10-11 guys with experience and some others that aren’t quite ready to play varsity football yet.”

St. Anne’s Gavin Threm looks to run the ball against Milford-Cissna Park defenders during St. Anne’s 61-28 victory over Milford-Cissna Park on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Michael Savoie

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19 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

Bishop McNamara FIGHTIN’ IRISH

Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Bishop McNamara becomes latest to join girls flag football field 2026 Outlook Coach: Tyler Pavesich (1st season) Career Record: 0-0 Last Playoff: N/A Best Playoff: N/A 2025 record: N/A

By MASON SCHWEIZER

As girls flag football has quickly proven to be a smashing success through its first two years in Illinois, one of the state’s most recognizable names from the traditional 11-Man game is joining the fold this fall. Bishop McNamara is now a part of the girls flag football scene after flirting with the idea for a couple years. They may still be finding their footing, but head coach Tyler Pavesich has loved the enthusiasm and eagerness his team has shown through summer camp and the first few days of practice. And while being a part of something so new has given him a bit of nerves, Pavesich said there’s no anxiety from his players, just pure joy to be the first team in school history. “Excitement for me is probably 80 (percent) and nerves 20,” Pavesich said. “I think the girls are just fully excited. There’s no nervousness at all.” They haven’t been together long enough for a true grasp on who might start where, but the Fightin’ Irish have found a pair of quarterbacks to build off of in sophomore Elle Weber and freshman Ashia Sims. Outside of that, finding specific spots for players to thrive in is something Pavesich expects to come in due time on both sides of the ball. With so many similar positions on the field — all players aside from the quarterback can go out

for a pass — the first-year head coach has noted that it could be intangibles that end up deciding who become the team’s difference makers. “They can pretty much all be interchangeable,” Pavesich said. “It’s just who’s got the greatest skillset and who actually has the kind of effort as the X-factor to want to go in there and make some plays. It’s not really like, oh, this person is going to be a running back, this person’s going to be a receiver. There’s no line. We have a center who can snap and go run a route as well. It’s just finding who wants it more than the other girl.” Pavesich said he’s already seen great leadership qualities out of the Hansen Bella Galloway, left, looks to run past Bridget Hansen at Bishop McNamara’s girls flag football sisters, senior Bridget and sophomore camp in July 2026. Mason Schweizer Leah, sophomore Ramseigh Turro and freshman Brynn Cryer. With so much youth looking to contribute right away, Pavesich knows that not only is the 2026 season important in the moment, but also in the future. “It would be great to have playoffs and win a bunch of games,” Pavesich said. “But right now we’re just starting to build the program pretty much from ground zero. I hope we win some games, Country Chevrolet Berkot’s Super Foods but I hope we start to build a new legacy Greif First Trust & Savings Bank for the school and create some initiative for more girls to come out next year, Oak Orthopedics Crosswell Ford and maybe we can be more competitive Riverside Healthcare with other schools as we start to build the program even further.”

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BOILERMAKERS

Bradley-Bourbonnais keeps majority of core together and expectations high 2026 Outlook Coach: Mark Kohl (1st season) Career Record: 0-0 Last Playoff: IHSA Regional semifinals, 2025 Best Playoff: IHSA State fourth place, 2024 2025 Record: 14-3 By MASON SCHWEIZER

After finishing fourth at the inaugural IHSA State Finals in 2024, Bradley-Bourbonnais entered last season with almost its entire team back and some lofty expectations. And although they lost some core seniors, including the program’s first two college players in Lily Argyelan and Audrey Conradi, and were upset in the regional semifinals as a No. 1 seed, a huge chunk of that core is back once again. And they’re keeping those expectations sky high. New head coach Mark Kohl, who called the offense the last two years, and his Boilermakers hit the ground running at summer camp last month and are primed for year three. After posting a combined 31-7 record the first two years, they don’t anticipate that changing much in 2026. “It’s exciting to have the opportunity to take over the program,” Kohl said. “It’s been a really fun two years getting the program off the ground and we have a lot of really quality athletes coming back on defense and offense seniorwise, and girls that are now back for their third year.” Elise Munsterman won the starting quarterback job as a freshman two years ago, and after totaling 6,366 yards and 66 touchdowns as an underclassmen, has a real shot at hitting 100 career touchdown passes as a junior. The players who caught all 29 of Munsterman’s touchdowns last year are all back, led by senior wideout and defensive back Kylie Stanek, who led the Boilers with 954 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2025. Classmates Amber

Melchor, Georgia Kohl, Shannon Lee and Alayna Sykes also bring back serious pass-catching prowess, while speedster Nevaeh Brown (1,305 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns in 2025) is a home run threat as both a runner and receiver. Avery Moutrey is the only one of the Boilers’ top five flag pullers returning from last year, but the senior was the lone member of the 2025 team to eclipse 100 flag pulls with 107. She’ll look to lead the defense once again in 2026, but for the first time in the program’s young history, the Boilers will also look for their top players to see serious playing time on both sides of the ball. “We didn’t really have that philosophy our first year as a program, and then last year we sort of platooned as well; if you played offense you didn’t play defense and if you played defense you didn’t play offense,” Mark Kohl Bradley-Bourbonnais’s Elise Munsterman looks for an open teammate during a varsity flag said. “When I became the head coach football Romeoville Regional semifinal game against Plainfield Central at Romeoville in October the first thing I did was make the deci- 2025. Laurie Fanelli sion to have my best seven on the field at all times. We’re excited and the girls are excited. The talent up north, a lot of those good teams play girls both ways.” As the 2026 campaign nears, not only do the Boilers believe they can make their second state trip in three years because of their talent, but also their Berkot’s Super Foods First Trust & Savings Bank cohesiveness. Greif Bradley Bourbonnais “I feel like once you get to know your Oak Orthopedics Community High School teammates and build connections with Riverside Healthcare Country Chevrolet them, to keep building off that is so State Farm Todd Arseneau Crosswell Ford much easier when you already mesh together,” Stanek said. “If you just keep meshing and keep working to make each other better, it’s just a lot easier.”

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PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

Bradley-Bourbonnais

Kankakee KAYS

Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

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Kankakee looks to keep building program under new coach Jevon Wesby 2026 Outlook Coach: Jevon Wesby (1st season) Career Record: 0-0 Last Playoff: IHSA Regional semifinals, 2025 Best Playoff: IHSA Sectional semifinals, 2024 2025 Record: 8-6

By ADAM TUMINO

After winning a sectional title in the inaugural IHSA girls flag football postseason in 2024, the Kays had things come to an end a bit earlier last season, falling on their home field to Yorkville in the regional semifinals. With the program’s first head coach, Marques Lowe, no longer with the program, the Kays turn to Jevon Wesby to take the reins from season three onward. An assistant coach under Kurt Weigt with the girls basketball program and with over two decades of coaching experience with basketball and football so far, Wesby said his experience with many of the athletes he’s now coaching in football makes this transition easier. “The last two years I was doing a little flag football with the park district, and I’ve been coaching football for 22 years,” he said. “Here I’ve coached basketball for 16 years, and it’ll be 17 if I coach this year. So I have a good relationship with the team and with the girls, and have a good rapport with a lot of them. With me having knowledge of football and watching the team, I thought it was a good opportunity to step in and get the girls on the right path.” He followed the team last year, in part because his daughter Jasyia Wesby and stepdaughter Amielya Taylor were both on the team as freshmen. Jasyia was the team’s leading receiver a season ago with 29 catches for 540 yards

and nine touchdowns. Her three interceptions were tied for the most on the team. Taylor is expected to take on a larger role as a sophomore this season. Some key pieces have moved on, including second-leading rusher Taniyah Sherman (710 yards, three touchdowns) and defensive standout Damariana Tooles (100 flag pulls, 36 sacks). Making up for these absences is the return of dual threat quarterback London Stroud, who threw for 1,792 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior last season while running for a team-high 1,177 yards and 11 more touchdowns. Center Lamaryah Smith is also back after finishing second on the team in every receiving category while also going 8 of 15 through the air for 79 yards. “London, who I’ve been working with in basketball a lot, is a good quarterback who’s going to throw the ball for us,” he said. “There’s actually three quarterbacks that we’re trying to get developed, but London, Lamaryah and Amielya Taylor will all contribute with passing the ball. But hopefully we can get everyone moving at the same speed and find out who’s going to be that number one.” The Kays will head into the season, and the early-season All-City matchups September 5 against Bradley-Bourbonnais and Bishop McNamara, after winning their first All-City title over Bradley-Bourbonnais last season.

Kankakee’s Jasyia Wesby runs in a touchdown during the Kays’ 40-26 victory over Plainfield South in October 2025. Tiffany Blanchette

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PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

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Daily Journal / shawlocal.com/daily-journal • Saturday, August 22, 2026

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