Roughest nonconference schedules in 2026
- Thread starter jotapepe
- Start date
Rochester has 7A Moline (9-2 in '25) and 7A semi-finalist Batavia (10-3) Weeks 1 and 2.
I understand some other schools have a tougher schedule, but at this point for the Mustangs:
3: @ Wilmette Rambler
4: vs. Wheaton SF
5: vs. Chicago Iggy
6: @ Lombard Montini
7: @ Chicago Leo (not at Doyle Stadium)
8: vs. Lisle Benet
9: @ LGP Naz
3: @ Wilmette Rambler
4: vs. Wheaton SF
5: vs. Chicago Iggy
6: @ Lombard Montini
7: @ Chicago Leo (not at Doyle Stadium)
8: vs. Lisle Benet
9: @ LGP Naz
Seems like they're doing something right.
Last 4 seasons… 3 Semifinal and 1 Quarterfinal appearance.
Have to believe a state championship game is in the near future?
For Morris, that isn't the hardest they've ever had, given their historic strength. I know they recently played Joliet West, who, even if they've not often been that good, are still so much larger than Morris. Coal City is a good but significantly smaller school. Cahokia is a bit smaller and hasn't gone past the quarterfinals in a long time. Simeon is a good opponent but you always wonder about CPS teams. Lemont has lost in the first round the last three years and hasn't looked all that great in that time.
Not suggesting for a second that Morris has scheduled a bunch of cupcakes or is slouching in nonconference. They probably have trouble getting opponents. It's a strong schedule and they have found good people to play, especially making that long trip right before the playoffs. But I think Simeon has it harder in noncon play.
Not suggesting for a second that Morris has scheduled a bunch of cupcakes or is slouching in nonconference. They probably have trouble getting opponents. It's a strong schedule and they have found good people to play, especially making that long trip right before the playoffs. But I think Simeon has it harder in noncon play.
Hard to imagine as long as they stay on the north side of the bracket. Some team from the CCL will almost always be in their way. Not a dig on Morris, just some things that seem always to be true about this state.
Given the recent IHSA rulings - this better be the most entertaining weeks 1-3 we've ever seen.
If 5A just don’t be on Prov side of bracket next year.
Morris should be 4a. Montini would be the CCL team that may stand in their way.
Find it hard to believe Montini will be in 4a next year.
With that roster and that QB, if the IHSA doesn’t success factor them (don’t know the exact ruling on winning back to back championships in separate classes) I’d imagine they would petition up.
Montini will be 4A next year. They need to win the same class back to back to success factor up and they won't petition up.
Depends. What do they have coming back? Lost QB, RB1, and WR1. Who takes over for Varner at QB?
I was surprised to see they agreed to be at Cahokia in week 9. That has them on the road for the last 3 games of the year. Their last home game is 9/25 and wouldn't have another until potentially round 1.
Wouldn’t get too caught up in that. They seem to reload every year. Offensive production may be the best it’s been in school history as of late. Averaging what has to be close to 40 points a game since the Covid season. According to Max Preps.
I don’t think teams are lining up to play Morris. This may be a product of a lack of opponents. The Simeon game just got confirmed last week.
Not so sure about the offense being the best in school history, the teams in the early to mid 90's took advantage of a down Little 7 conference. The 1992 team is still top 20 all time in the state averaging 51.5 points per game.
The Cahokia game is a 2 year deal so I don't think they're scared of Morris. They played Sycamore last year.
MS has Batavia and Six Flags to start! Then Maine West and I believe Vernon Hills. How sad the CSL is for ducking the MSL and scheduling this garbage!
Agree to disagree. There is always an outlier and the 51.5 ppg was obviously a special season.
Over the last 5 years, I’ve never seen a Morris offense operate at such a high level as consistently as they are right now.
The scores and school records being broken annually back that up. Regardless of what you say happened 30 years ago.
At least per the IHSA's open date page it's about the only viable option in Illinois. Everyone else appears to be at least 6A or higher for week 2 openings.
All.... Cyclones I heard had contacted the Wildcats for a possible game with Wimington when both were looking to fill W1 and W2. Those two still showing open dates for the second one. SHG was looking for a two year deal but has since changed it to a one and done. Wilmintgton two year.... I believe the change for SHG was due to the old schedule when the season started the last week of August Belleville Althoff playing the Cycs A and H starting in 2027 week two. So if that is still on they only need to fill for this year. Ratsy
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Wilmington would be big time underdogs in this scenario, but it would be a great game to figure out where they need to improve. Might as well go for it, especially with the new expansion. I think the game against Morris this past year helped them in much the same way - so I guess playing SHG wouldn’t be out of the question.
Can't think of a worse place for a fan.
...or player. Not sure how they got away with building that stadium. It's a death trap waiting to happen.
One game added for St. Rita during Week 2, per poster UR57:
Week 1: ?
Week: @ Glenbard West
Week 1: ?
Week: @ Glenbard West
why do you say this? i googled the stadium, but never saw pictures of the field only the track. it didn't look like the best of neighborhoods.
Think you are looking at the wrong field. There is no track. There is a baseball and softball field combined with the football field.
Neighborhood is fine.
Problem is the FG poles are on the end line and a player could easily run into them. On top of that, there is a brick wall that is only a couple feet behind the east end zone.
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I’d love to see Geneva & Morris schedule a home and home for old times sake.
St. Rita's old stadium on 63rd St. had brick walls on three sides and a wire fence on the fourth. The goal posts in one end zone were flush against the wall.
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