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2026 open dates

J

jotapepe

Junior
Jul 20, 2021
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For non-CPS teams, I have the following open dates (or at least weeks where I can't figure out games):

Week 1
I think actually open - Lockport, IC Catholic, Glenbard West, Mount Carmel, Fenwick, Nazareth, East St. Louis, Woodstock, Montini, Christ the King, Westmont, Shelbyville, JCA
I think filled but I can't find them - Lake Forest, Proviso West, Zion-Benton, Proviso East, Deerfield, Marion, North Chicago, Leo, Chicago Hope, Sparta, Madison, Carterville

Week 2
I think actually open - Aurora Christian, Conant, Brother Rice, Buffalo Grove, Fremd, Mount Carmel, Crete-Monee, Nazareth, Carbondale, JCA, Woodstock North, Montini, SHG, QND, IC Catholic, Roxana, Wilmington, Westmont, Schaumburg, East St. Louis
I think filled but I can't find them - Waukegan, Schaumburg, Proviso East, Proviso West, Deerfield, Hillcrest, North Chicago, Murphysboro, Massac County, Dupo, Glenbrook South, Rolling Meadows

Week 3
I think actually open - Edwardsville, Belleville West, East St. Louis, Carbondale, Taylorville, Roxana, Sparta, Madison
I think filled but I can't find them - Schaumburg, Marion, Buffalo Grove

Week 4
I think actually open - Westmont

Week 5
I think actually open - Salem, Carterville, Westmont, St. Teresa, Madison
I think filled but I can't find them - Urbana

Week 6
I think actually open - Roxana, Tuscola, Madison

Week 7
I think actually open - Carbondale, Salem, Herrin, Roxana

Week 8
I think actually open - Marion, Carbondale, Salem, Massac County, Westmont, St. Teresa
I think filled but I can't find them - Thornton

Week 9
I think actually open - Civic Memorial, Taylorville, Herrin, Breese Central, Roxana, Westmont, Wesclin, Madison


NOTES:
- There are rumors of Mount Carmel and East St. Louis playing each other, I would assume in Week 2, but to my knowledge that has not been confirmed.
- Marion and Carterville played each other in Week 1 last year, which I assume will happen again this year, but I have no proof. Same with Christ the King-Proviso West, Lake Forest-Deerfield, Zion-Benton-North Chicago, and Sparta-Madison.
- For Week 2, the same would go for Buffalo Grove-Fremd, Waukegan-North Chicago, and Proviso East-Proviso West.
- Westmont didn't have a full schedule last year and I doubt that will change this year.
- For Week 5, Urbana-St. Teresa would make a lot of sense. Salem-Carterville likewise. I could see a Madison-Westmont game happening.
- Roxana's schedule isn't public but I know they're having trouble finding games.
- For Week 7, any combination of those four would seem to make sense.
- For Week 8, I expect that Marion-Carbondale would happen. Salem-Massac County could be reasonable, and Westmont-St. Teresa isn't the most ridiculous game.
- For Week 9, most of those teams will probably sort themselves out.
- I am hearing strong rumors of one team not listed here canceling its season.
 
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C

cornerrat#1

Senior
Jul 1, 2025
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All.... I have mentioned before I think it would be cool if SHG renewed it's non con rivalry from the past with Montini. Unfortunately the Cyclones are looking just for a one and done in week two. They also would prefer at home since they already have five on the road. The reason being and although the il.8to18 schedule doesn't reflect the new early starts for 2027 a two season (w2) gig with Belleville Althoff. By the way it was my undertanding that Coach Frazier contacted SHG for the series.

The Cycs very early in this process reached out to a bunch of teams and are still waiting on responses. It's getting pretty late in the scheduling game and many schools might just have to settle on who is left. Better then having no game..... Ratsy
 
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J

jotapepe

Junior
Jul 20, 2021
240
213
43
cornerrat#1 said:
All.... I have mentioned before I think it would be cool if SHG renewed it's non con rivalry from the past with Montini. Unfortunately the Cyclones are looking just for a one and done in week two. They also would prefer at home since they already have five on the road. The reason being and althoughthe il.8to18 schedule doesn't reflect the new early starts for 2027 a two season (w2) gig with Belleville Althoff. By the way it was my undertanding that Coach Frazier contacted SHG for the series.

The Cycs very early in this process reached out to a bunch of teams and are still waiting on responses. It's getting pretty late in the scheduling game and many schools might just have to settle on who is left. Better then having no game..... Ratsy
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A definite issue for them. I would suggest a QND at SHG game, even though they are playing in conference, but that would leave QND with two lengthy trips in nonconference and, if my information is correct, away games in the first five weeks. Otherwise, Roxana, Wilmington, IC Catholic, or even Crete-Monee could be viable for the Cycs.
 
R

Roamin' Catholic

Junior
Jul 3, 2025
299
283
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jotapepe said:
A definite issue for them. I would suggest a QND at SHG game, even though they are playing in conference, but that would leave QND with two lengthy trips in nonconference and, if my information is correct, away games in the first five weeks. Otherwise, Roxana, Wilmington, IC Catholic, or even Crete-Monee could be viable for the Cycs.
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Potentially 3 games against the same opponent? No thanks. I would hope no one is that desperate yet.

The real question for SHG is "why haven't you called your good buddies at Cathedral yet?" What the Football Elite club's of Indianapolis, St. Louis, and Chicago haven't sent you exclusive offers yet? Still geographically located outside the conference setup you so badly want to be a part of? Pretty crazy thought though, ratsy. 3 games is all you need now and the CCL powers that be (some on that list) STILL don't see the need to drive down 55 to lil ole Springfield to prove anything to you or your program. QND's been there buddy... you get over it eventually.

For some of us, though, the anxiety over filling a football schedule is much less. I don't think since QND was a member of the Lincoln Trails they've had a schedule completely full before April. And we haven't been involved with that since somewhere around 1995-1998. Yet, every season we've played 9 games against 9 different teams. History tells me we'll be ok.

The rat did mention he hoped the league would beef up their non-conf schedules though at some point. Not exactly sure sitting here in late February hoping for 2A Wilmo was what he meant... but hey, at least they're winners.
 
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S

SiuCubFan8

All-Conference
Jul 27, 2007
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St. Francis will be away @ New Palestine High School in Indiana week 1.
New Palestine state championships: 2014 (4A), 2018 (5A), 2019 (5A), 2024 (4A), 2025 (5A)
 
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S

skinsfootball

Freshman
Jul 29, 2018
44
64
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Is Wilmington supposed to be down this year or what? Would expect tougher non-cons. That may be one of the softer schedules in the state. Coal City game could be within 3 scores but even that’s doubtful. They haven’t had any issues with them lately.
 
D

Doctor_D

All-Conference
Oct 9, 2016
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skinsfootball said:
Is Wilmington supposed to be down this year or what? Would expect tougher non-cons. That may be one of the softer schedules in the state. Coal City game could be within 3 scores but even that’s doubtful. They haven’t had any issues with them lately.
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Wilmington has a few very good players coming back, but they lose quite a bit. Kettman was a Mt Rushmore type and their line was probably their best ever, graduating 4/5 there including three 3 year starters. The lower levels were not very successful either this past season.

To be fair, the original non conference schedule originally also had Lena-Winslow, but that got scrapped due to moving the season up one week. Lena had a commitment with an out of state team that they couldn’t move. Still open with Bishop Mac who was good last year and definitely seems to be on the way back up after a few down years.

Coal City should be very good next year. They return a lot of key players. Henline and Natyshok will be a big problem for the conference.
 
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skinsfootball

Freshman
Jul 29, 2018
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Doctor_D said:
Wilmington has a few very good players coming back, but they lose quite a bit. Kettman was a Mt Rushmore type and their line was probably their best ever, graduating 4/5 there including three 3 year starters. The lower levels were not very successful either this past season.

To be fair, the original non conference schedule originally also had Lena-Winslow, but that got scrapped due to moving the season up one week. Lena had a commitment with an out of state team that they couldn’t move. Still open with Bishop Mac who was good last year and definitely seems to be on the way back up after a few down years.

Coal City should be very good next year. They return a lot of key players. Henline and Natyshok will be a big problem for the conference.
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Interesting. Do not know much about Coal City. Would you expect them to give Morris a good game this year?
 
D

Doctor_D

All-Conference
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skinsfootball said:
Interesting. Do not know much about Coal City. Would you expect them to give Morris a good game this year?
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I don’t know a ton about what Morris has coming back. I think they lose a lot of their skill kids including the Varners and Curran.
I expect Coal City to be improved from last year. Henline is a legit QB and Natyshok is a burner. Not sure about their line, but they always seem to find some big strong kids. Very good wrestling team too, which often translates well to football.
Morris certainly should be considered the favorite against an IC8 team, but I think Coal City has enough to at least keep it interesting for a while.
 
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Patrick Devitt

Patrick Devitt

Freshman
Sep 13, 2025
46
51
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I have a smaller school looking for opponents Week 5 & Week 8. Preferably 1A-3A.

If anyone has anything let me know
 
AlabamaTimberwolf

AlabamaTimberwolf

Senior
Aug 7, 2024
713
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Doctor_D said:
Wilmington has a few very good players coming back, but they lose quite a bit. Kettman was a Mt Rushmore type and their line was probably their best ever, graduating 4/5 there including three 3 year starters. The lower levels were not very successful either this past season.

To be fair, the original non conference schedule originally also had Lena-Winslow, but that got scrapped due to moving the season up one week. Lena had a commitment with an out of state team that they couldn’t move. Still open with Bishop Mac who was good last year and definitely seems to be on the way back up after a few down years.

Coal City should be very good next year. They return a lot of key players. Henline and Natyshok will be a big problem for the conference.
Click to expand...
Most of the underclassmen stay on the varsity and get plenty of minutes so judging the JV results in this situation isn't sound! Also going against the starters in practice is a battle everyday... That builds growth and toughness! Wilmo will be just fine!
 
T

Topiarydan1

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Jul 9, 2001
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I'd love to see a Rice vs Crete-Monee (I think their coach is a Rice alum) or even Rice vs JCA
 
R

Roamin' Catholic

Junior
Jul 3, 2025
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Patrick Devitt said:
I have a smaller school looking for opponents Week 5 & Week 8. Preferably 1A-3A.

If anyone has anything let me know
Click to expand...
See ya week 1 Decatur-ites.. this time full-bore for realsies!

Pop Tv Bro GIF by Nightcap
 
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