#1 in the state?

LHSTigers94

All-Conference
Oct 25, 2004
3,171
2,429
93
Now see if only every other supporter would just feel the same way about only being the best in 6a. I could get behind that. I’d even agree you are the best in 6a by a country mile. No need to pound chests on losing 3 times and beating up southwest conference teams. Just own the fact you dominate

You are being an ******* trying to be cute. Not one ESL supporter have pounded their chest about out of state nothing. Nor has anyone bragged on the conference. That’s some BS that you subscribe to.
You are being an ******* trying to be cute. Not one ESL supporter have pounded their chest about out of state nothing. Nor has anyone bragged on the conference. That’s some BS that you subscribe to.
 

McCaravan

All-American
Feb 1, 2016
4,533
7,195
113
Geneva wr Corp was better and qb was equal. Stop it
Their one receiver? I won't be as rude to tell you to "Stop it" for saying that you're team would have trouble covering 2 Nationally ranked receivers that have been given 5 and 4 Star ratings respectively so we can just agree to disagree
 
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PowerI66

Junior
Jul 10, 2025
466
385
63
Their one receiver? I won't be as rude to tell you to "Stop it" for saying that you're team would have trouble covering 2 Nationally ranked receivers that have been given 5 and 4 Star ratings respectively so we can just agree to disagree
I watched a decent amount of Geneva last year, and MC this year. MCs WR core is much better top to bottom, and they are going to get better. Sorry @ODERTY1
 

jha618

All-Conference
Jan 1, 2018
3,322
3,896
113
Their one receiver? I won't be as rude to tell you to "Stop it" for saying that you're team would have trouble covering 2 Nationally ranked receivers that have been given 5 and 4 Star ratings respectively so we can just agree to disagree
Idk if I would say they would have trouble. Raheem Floyd is the best cb in the state and Lofton is a borderline 4* db with atleast a half dozen p5 offers.

Burrell/Thornton v Floyd/Lofton
Gomiller/Baker v Harrington/??

It would def be an exciting matchup.
 

McCaravan

All-American
Feb 1, 2016
4,533
7,195
113
Idk if I would say they would have trouble. Raheem Floyd is the best cb in the state and Lofton is a borderline 4* db with atleast a half dozen p5 offers.

Burrell/Thornton v Floyd/Lofton
Gomiller/Baker v Harrington/??

It would def be an exciting matchup.
The entire MC secondary returns next year. Harrington, Saldana, Rogers and Winters
 

McCaravan

All-American
Feb 1, 2016
4,533
7,195
113
Wasnt trying to insinuate MC didnt have anyone behind Harrington. Just not that familiar with their roster.
Understood. Just filling you in.

MC freshman went 9-0. QB was Thomas Elliott, younger brother of Jack. Very similar style of play, Thomas was actually further along as a Freshman then Jack was but Thomas had really good receivers on the freshman team. He will be on Varsity next year but not sure he will be ready to man the ship at QB as a Sophomore
 
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pjjp

All-Conference
Aug 26, 2001
5,589
2,847
113
You don’t think you’re gonna get rid of your daddy that easily do you? JCA still could catch Naz in a crossover.
Very true. There are levels to the CCL. Naz is on a different level than JCA. They are the logical choice to compete with MC, Rice and LA.
 
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JFelice

Senior
Sep 8, 2014
3,152
554
113
Very true. There are levels to the CCL. Naz is on a different level than JCA. They are the logical choice to compete with MC, Rice and LA.
It’s all in good fun, I respect JCA more than anyone. I needed to talk a little trash lol, ESL folk are having all the fun.
 

JFelice

Senior
Sep 8, 2014
3,152
554
113
Very true. There are levels to the CCL. Naz is on a different level than JCA. They are the logical choice to compete with MC, Rice and LA.
Naz is not on a level as those programs. Marist is the logical choice, I’m sorry they don’t like it.
 

anon4ever

Redshirt
Oct 28, 2025
7
7
3
Naz is not on a level as those programs. Marist is the logical choice, I’m sorry they don’t like it.
I must be missing something, isn't Naz ranked, depending on the publication, either no. 3, 4 or 5 in the State of Illinois. How are they not on the levels of the schools in the Blue?
 

tuccs

Senior
Sep 30, 2011
776
779
93
I must be missing something, isn't Naz ranked, depending on the publication, either no. 3, 4 or 5 in the State of Illinois. How are they not on the levels of the schools in the Blue?
Success wise they are close to those programs but geographically traditionally and enrollment wise Marist is closer, I agree.
 

JFelice

Senior
Sep 8, 2014
3,152
554
113
I must be missing something, isn't Naz ranked, depending on the publication, either no. 3, 4 or 5 in the State of Illinois. How are they not on the levels of the schools in the Blue?
Naz has 375ish boys in their school. They’ve had success sure but the grinder of playing in the Blue is a little obscene for a program with a bunch of 3 way kids. Would Naz be up for it? Of course they would they’re not ducking anyone but that’s an unrealistic ask. Playing 1 game vs MtC, BR or Loyola is one thing, taking that beating week in and week out with kids play O, D and ST isn’t a recipe to sustained success or health. Just one persons opinion. There’s a reason though that a 4th team doesn’t stick around long in the Blue.
 

SiuCubFan8

All-Conference
Jul 27, 2007
5,395
3,330
113
Naz has 375ish boys in their school. They’ve had success sure but the grinder of playing in the Blue is a little obscene for a program with a bunch of 3 way kids. Would Naz be up for it? Of course they would they’re not ducking anyone but that’s an unrealistic ask. Playing 1 game vs MtC, BR or Loyola is one thing, taking that beating week in and week out with kids play O, D and ST isn’t a recipe to sustained success or health. Just one persons opinion. There’s a reason though that a 4th team doesn’t stick around long in the Blue.
Marist, if they stayed they would end up successful. Lets not act like BR is MC or LA( wasn't saying you were BTW). Yes, BR is a great team this year but Marist can certainly be on their level in a season or 3.
 

refreff01

Redshirt
Sep 2, 2025
37
40
18
Naz has 375ish boys in their school. They’ve had success sure but the grinder of playing in the Blue is a little obscene for a program with a bunch of 3 way kids. Would Naz be up for it? Of course they would they’re not ducking anyone but that’s an unrealistic ask. Playing 1 game vs MtC, BR or Loyola is one thing, taking that beating week in and week out with kids play O, D and ST isn’t a recipe to sustained success or health. Just one persons opinion. There’s a reason though that a 4th team doesn’t stick around long in the Blue.
SR and Marist are the only schools that have the football depth to handle that grind with LA, MC and BR currently. SI, NAZ, Fenwick, etc. can compete but not through a 7 week schedule and then trying to find 2 OOC games to soften the blow.

Go look at MC's schedule. If they win out there is no doubt it was a weekly grind but they have the talent and depth to handle it and over come obstacles. They are actually alone in that regard this year and looks like next.
 

SiuCubFan8

All-Conference
Jul 27, 2007
5,395
3,330
113
SR and Marist are the only schools that have the football depth to handle that grind with LA, MC and BR currently. SI, NAZ, Fenwick, etc. can compete but not through a 7 week schedule and then trying to find 2 OOC games to soften the blow.

Go look at MC's schedule. If they win out there is no doubt it was a weekly grind but they have the talent and depth to handle it and over come obstacles. They are actually alone in that regard this year and looks like next.
LA will be just fine next year.
 

refreff01

Redshirt
Sep 2, 2025
37
40
18
Marist, if they stayed they would end up successful. Lets not act like BR is MC or LA( wasn't saying you were BTW). Yes, BR is a great team this year but Marist can certainly be on their level in a season or 3.
BR's new coach seems to have the program in a very stable spot. They and LA have only played in the Blue. Lynch is looking like they will not be moving any time soon. The key to remaining in the Blue is not the blue games its the crossovers against teams that can jump up and get you like when St I and SF did it recently. A couple injuries and a tough OOC road and 5 wins becomes very difficult, see LA this year.
 

SiuCubFan8

All-Conference
Jul 27, 2007
5,395
3,330
113
BR's new coach seems to have the program in a very stable spot. They and LA have only played in the Blue. Lynch is looking like they will not be moving any time soon. The key to remaining in the Blue is not the blue games its the crossovers against teams that can jump up and get you like when St I and SF did it recently. A couple injuries and a tough OOC road and 5 wins becomes very difficult, see LA this year.
I know that.
 

pjjp

All-Conference
Aug 26, 2001
5,589
2,847
113
Marist has the football numbers and enrollment for the Blue. But, they didn’t make the playoffs 2 of the last 3 years playing in the third division. Not sure how anyone could justify a 2-level bump based on their recent performance.
 
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Snetsrak61

Senior
Aug 16, 2008
1,175
645
113
Marist has the football numbers and enrollment for the Blue. But, they didn’t make the playoffs 2 of the last 3 years playing in the third division. Not sure how anyone could justify a 2-level bump based on their recent performance.
I think it hits at a core question of how things should be organized (both on a conference level and I think you could extend it to things like IHSA class and success factor/waiver). Are you a "1st division / blue" based on leading metrics that are comparable or it is based on results? Equal opportunity or equal chances?
 
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pjjp

All-Conference
Aug 26, 2001
5,589
2,847
113
I think it hits at a core question of how things should be organized (both on a conference level and I think you could extend it to things like IHSA class and success factor/waiver). Are you a "1st division / blue" based on leading metrics that are comparable or it is based on results? Equal opportunity or equal chances?
Very true. I’ve never been 100% clear on the criteria for division placement.
 
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SiuCubFan8

All-Conference
Jul 27, 2007
5,395
3,330
113
Marist has the football numbers and enrollment for the Blue. But, they didn’t make the playoffs 2 of the last 3 years playing in the third division. Not sure how anyone could justify a 2-level bump based on their recent performance.
Numbers, facilities, coach...those are the reasons in theory.
 

Silver Rain

All-Conference
Jun 6, 2022
1,258
1,393
78
I said weeks ago when first asked that the season top 5 from the times/trib is currently "better" based on strength opponent playoff berths, records, etc. Then I said once ESL wins they will be in the Top 5 probably top 3. BECAUSE they would be the 6A champ with 3 losses to nationally ranked teams and would have dominated the rest of 6a. It would be hard for me to give them the nod over a team with few losses that played stiffer competition. If MC doesn't win I would give ESL #1 if MC wins though its just tough for me to not give it to an undefeated catholic league team that also traveled out of state to take on another state's best.

Naz and JCA have played in the past two state championships and beat fellow conference members that are at the 7 and 8a classification. Naz, JCA, Fenwick, Franny, IC and many more would have the same success ESL has in the Southwest. You cannot genuinely tell me that the CCL/ESCC isn't head and shoulder above everyone else.

They have 9 teams playing for a chance to play in 5 different classes.

If you take a second to actually read what I am typing you will see it's not just bigger = better its never been only bigger = better that was one piece of the puzzle but there was more to it.

Now see if only every other supporter would just feel the same way about only being the best in 6a. I could get behind that. I’d even agree you are the best in 6a by a country mile. No need to pound chests on losing 3 times and beating up southwest conference teams. Just own the fact you dominate 6a
tuccs, you are tenacious. If I ever need a lawyer, I'm calling you, whether you went to law school or not.
 

jha618

All-Conference
Jan 1, 2018
3,322
3,896
113
Naz and JCA have played in the past two state championships and beat fellow conference members that are at the 7 and 8a classification. Naz, JCA, Fenwick, Franny, IC and many more would have the same success ESL has in the Southwest. You cannot genuinely tell me that the CCL/ESCC isn't head and shoulder above everyone else.
Not many swc matchups with those teams as they are 5a/6a schools and swc is all 7a/8a. But they have matched up against a few metro east teams in recent years. Jca lost to mascoutah when jca was a ccl champion. PC played a competitive game vs triad a few years ago. Mascoutah and triad in the s7 arent on the same level as good swc teams. A bad St. Marys team took IC to overtime last year. Fenwick and ESL had a common opponent in back to back weeks (Fenwick lost, ESL won by 2 scores). Sure the CCL/ESCC is good but I dont see those specific teams being anywhere near dominating the SWC like ESL has.
 

JFelice

Senior
Sep 8, 2014
3,152
554
113
Marist has the football numbers and enrollment for the Blue. But, they didn’t make the playoffs 2 of the last 3 years playing in the third division. Not sure how anyone could justify a 2-level bump based on their recent performance.
I refuse to believe Marist is in the 3rd tier. Why would they have dropped from the 1st to 3rd tier? Why would Ignatius move up from the 3rd tier to the Blue? I think they changed the name, Naz’s division became the green from the Orange but I don’t think it actually became the 2nd tier. I could be wrong but I can’t wrap my head around the Marist/Ignatius moves.