Q of the Week: Who is your Sleeper Team To Watch for 2025?

cenrik

Freshman
Apr 26, 2024
54
58
18
Will they be jumping 3 or 4 classes next year? That’s a decent gap in playoff competition, maybe calling them a sleeper isn’t that crazy?
We're ready for the challenge. However, it will be a historic step up in competition. Cause to be the best, you gotta beat the best.
 

cenrik

Freshman
Apr 26, 2024
54
58
18
All.... A big jump for DePaul this year. The old two season enrollment average which was 833 with the waiver has expired. The new one year enrollment for the school is 1342 and that will be multiplied which comes to 2,214.30. As an example last year among the postseason qualifiers that would of put the Rams in class 8A as one of the smallest among the 32.

Every year throughout the eight classes there are teams that are right on the enrollment "bubble" which before those 256 qualifiers are announced result in two possibilities class wise for a school. It looks like the Rams will be one of them. Of note one needs to understand that when the Ihsa comes out May 1st and puts everyone in a class that doesn't necessary mean that is where a school will play if making the playoffs. For many yes but not those on enrollment cut lines.

Best case scenario would be of course DePaul ends up in class 7A. Unfortunately for Rams fans one might not be able to get an accurate picture or guess till late in the regular season where you land. Ratsy
7A is where the Rams will find a natural position to compete. 3 classes up is fair enough. 8A will feel like making an example of IHSA'a new rule adjustments.
 

cenrik

Freshman
Apr 26, 2024
54
58
18
I’m saying for the upcoming season. I know a few teams were moving up because of enrollment and success factor but I thought I read somewhere some teams were moving down because of wavier or new enrollment. If BR is 5A they would have to be favorites in my opinion

I also think St Patrick’s is a sleeper, new staff and they have the kids
St Pats QB1 doesn't wanna come back. Basketball is his priority. So I hear.
Do you know if this means 4a for hoops next year?
4A for hoops for sure. A 3peat is the ultimate success factor IMO.
 

JCHillmen

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2001
3,377
1,350
0
There will be a battle of Hilltoppers in Week 2. JCA plays at GW. Sounds like the Glen Ellyn Hilltoppers will be favored.
With 8 games currently scheduled, I am really hoping for a softie to open week 1. Of the 8 scheduled games, I only see one "for sure" game where JC is favored. They are for sure dogs against MC, Marist, and probably Naz and PC as well. That is four games as an underdog plus, I agree that GW is a tossup at best and likely GW will be favored. That leaves only ND and Fenwick as games the Hilltoppers "may" be favored in with DLS as the only one they will definitely be favored in.

I know they can and hopefully will pull some upsets, but anything other than Our Lady of Perpetual Losses for week 1 would be overscheduling in my opinion.

PC is my sleeper team for the upcoming season, though Glenbard West may be an even better choice for sleeper pick. They lost 5 games last year, but most of them were close games against teams that advanced deep into 7A and 8A. Would have loved to see JC schedule a program like that with last year's group with all the returning talent. This team will have like 5 returning starters and the overall schedule is already a bear.
 
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cornerrat

All-Conference
Aug 1, 2009
2,368
1,727
0
With 8 games currently scheduled, I am really hoping for a softie to open week 1. Of the 8 scheduled games, I only see one "for sure" game where JC is favored. They are for sure dogs against MC, Marist, and probably Naz and PC as well. That is four games as an underdog plus, I agree that GW is a tossup at best and likely GW will be favored. That leaves only ND and Fenwick as games the Hilltoppers "may" be favored in with DLS as the only one they will definitely be favored in.

I know they can and hopefully will pull some upsets, but anything other than Our Lady of Perpetual Losses for week 1 would be overscheduling in my opinion.

PC is my sleeper team for the upcoming season, though Glenbard West may be an even better choice for sleeper pick. They lost 5 games last year, but most of them were close games against teams that advanced deep into 7A and 8A. Would have loved to see JC schedule a program like that with last year's group with all the returning talent. This team will have like 5 returning starters and the overall schedule is already a bear.
All.... Here is one although these lists can be notorious for not being updated. Horlick H.S. out of of Racine, Wisconsin looking for a varisty game on 8-29. A school of about 1350 that went 7-4 last year. About a two hour drive. Fwiw calpreps for 2024 showing a 42-7 Hilltopper victory if they would of met. Ratsy
 

MsDavis10

Sophomore
Nov 9, 2019
145
156
43
A lot of PC love. Can anyone expand on their story? I see their two award winners from this past season will have graduated.
 

LWN_Pheonix

Senior
Oct 30, 2023
762
632
93
DGN
6 senior starters that have played on varsity since their sophomore year

2 years año they lost in the finals

This is their last shot… mark my words, they are putting in the work this summer
 
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K3D88

Redshirt
Oct 30, 2024
10
7
3
Zero research done but here are a few sleepers/team you'd prefer not to run into come playoff time:
8a: Marist
7a: DGN / Batavia
6a: Naz/ESL
5a: Rochelle
4a: St Laurence
 

OnVikings!

Junior
Nov 15, 2024
163
286
57
Zero research done but here are a few sleepers/team you'd prefer not to run into come playoff time:
8a: Marist
7a: DGN / Batavia
6a: Naz/ESL
5a: Rochelle
4a: St Laurence
StL’s days of 4A football are over. Vikings will be in 6A or 7A this year. No more waiver and enrollment has gone up by 300-400 students since the last two year cycle.
 
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DMurph11

Senior
May 16, 2012
499
726
93
Zero research done but here are a few sleepers/team you'd prefer not to run into come playoff time:
8a: Marist
7a: DGN / Batavia
6a: Naz/ESL
5a: Rochelle
4a: St Laurence
Rochelle’s coach has done a truly fantastic job with that program but they lost a ton of seniors from last year’s squad.

I’d slot them as a sleeper in ‘26.
 

crazylegs777

Senior
Oct 18, 2023
755
596
0
I like Harold, but he’s got his hands full at DLS. Gonna be tough to right that ship but I guess the only direction they can go is up. It’s crazy to me how fast things went south over there.
Argo dropped them but DLS got Reavis now
 

chakazulu89

Senior
May 2, 2020
293
431
38
Chaka, how U feeling about Rita? From reading some comments on this board about Marist and BR, will she start the year 0 - 3?
@Wittymoniker1 I think the biggest question mark will be on defense. I know they return some key players on offense. Will they use Walter on both sides of the ball? I know of a transfer that has come in that will help the dline. I see 6-3 or 7-2.
 
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tomloner reborn

All-Conference
Sep 21, 2004
1,989
1,432
65
Chaka, how U feeling about Rita? From reading some comments on this board about Marist and BR, will she start the year 0 - 3?
@Wittymoniker1 I think the biggest question mark will be on defense. I know they return some key players on offense. Will they use Walter on both sides of the ball? I know of a transfer that has come in that will help the dline. I see 6-3 or 7-2.
With the veteran QB, a sold RB and WR's the offense can go a long way of helping defense by minimizing the 3 and outs on offense. If the QB can manage the offense w/o trying to do too much by himself this team should be a solid contender in the playoffs. He needs to be the general on the field. St. Rita has a history of starting seniors at QB. Because of injuries he went thru trial by fire his sophomore year. A three year starter at QB is anomaly at St. Rita.

As far as a player going both way was frowned upon for years. I feel they need to put the best 11 on the field this year.
 

chakazulu89

Senior
May 2, 2020
293
431
38
With the veteran QB, a sold RB and WR's the offense can go a long way of helping defense by minimizing the 3 and outs on offense. If the QB can manage the offense w/o trying to do too much by himself this team should be a solid contender in the playoffs. He needs to be the general on the field. St. Rita has a history of starting seniors at QB. Because of injuries he went thru trial by fire his sophomore year. A three year starter at QB is anomaly at St. Rita.

As far as a player going both way was frowned upon for years. I feel they need to put the best 11 on the field this year.
@tomloner from what I recall in recent years past, Kyle James and BJ Hall both did it and they were successful.
 
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Wittymoniker1

All-Conference
Aug 6, 2007
5,331
1,782
113
@Wittymoniker1 I think the biggest question mark will be on defense. I know they return some key players on offense. Will they use Walter on both sides of the ball? I know of a transfer that has come in that will help the dline. I see 6-3 or 7-2.
Thank U for the response. I hope they can get to 8 - 1. If Walter can handle it, then why not?
 
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Wittymoniker1

All-Conference
Aug 6, 2007
5,331
1,782
113
With the veteran QB, a sold RB and WR's the offense can go a long way of helping defense by minimizing the 3 and outs on offense. If the QB can manage the offense w/o trying to do too much by himself this team should be a solid contender in the playoffs. He needs to be the general on the field. St. Rita has a history of starting seniors at QB. Because of injuries he went thru trial by fire his sophomore year. A three year starter at QB is anomaly at St. Rita.

As far as a player going both way was frowned upon for years. I feel they need to put the best 11 on the field this year.
Great reading your thoughts, TL. Hope you're feeling good. Thank U.

Btw, I feel the QB will surpass all expectations and be very impressive this year. Just got a good feeling.
 

eagles2k3

All-Conference
Dec 26, 2003
1,922
1,212
0
There were some parents of an undefeated Bartlett Frosh team consistently posting updates in the fall of 05. They had their ups and downs but by the end of it they lost in Semis as Seniors.
I think the best part about this was the weekly Saturday afternoon Bartlett Freshman update. “The Bartlett Freshman beat Elgin 66-0 to move to 8-0”

Honestly if you ask the veteran posters on here that has to be one of top 5 most memorable posts in Edgy history. This was 20 years ago!!! It was fun following that group in the playoffs in fall 2008. They were a really good team.

I’d say Sako’s bar is also in the mix for best posts in Edgy history. I don’t remember who was the original poster but it was a year where MC was under .500 with close losses to good teams and was dropping out of the rankings.