2025 Conference Preview: Central State 8
Make sure and check out the latest 2025 Conference Preview. EDGYTIM digs deeper and looks into the Central State 8 Conference for the upcoming 2025 IHSA Football season. You can always come inside the Football Message Boards and talk IHSA Football 365 days a year.
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2025 EDGYTIM.com Central State 8 East Predicted Finish
Central State 8 East
Glenwood $ *
U High *
$ indicated conference champion * indicates IHSA playoff qualifier
2025 EDGYTIM.com Central State 8 West Predicted Finish
Sacred Heart Griffin Cyclones $ *
$ indicated conference champion * indicates IHSA playoff qualifier
EDGYTIM Top 5 Games in the Central State 8
Glenwood at Edwardsville August 29th– Another great early season showdown between two very strong programs. Glenwood welcomes back a ton of key names from a season ago while the Tigers are reloading.
Bloomington at U High September 5th– Sort of reminds me of the old school Twin Cities Classic here. Back in the day ISU would host high school football for an entire day featuring all of the Normal/Bloomington schools. Bloomington has been starting to climb back up the Big 12 ranks, while U High is coming off a strong 2024 season.
Glenwood at Rochester September 19th– Pretty easy to say this one has real potential to become the Central State 8 East championship game. Glenwood took advantage of Rochester QB injury issues last season for the lopsided win. Can the Rockets get payback?
More Top Games
Quincy Notre Dame at Sacred Heart Griffin September 19th– These are two of the better Catholic high school programs not located in Chicagoland. SHG seems to be on the way back as a program under John Allison. QND is playing terrific football under Jack Cornell and the Raiders welcome back 12 starters this season.
Jacksonville at MacArthur October 17th– Both schools have a history of playing some close and also some wild games over the years. Jacksonville is looking to go back to the state playoffs in 2025 and the Crimsons have a strong senior class that’s logged a ton of varsity reps. MacArthur and veteran head coach Derek Spates always has soeed and athletes on both sides of the football. This late season conference showdown could be a dandy and I’m guessing also will have playoff implications.
Toughest Schedules in the Central State 8?
Sacred Heart Griffin and Rochester– SHG kicks off the 2025 season hosting St. Louis area power CBC then in Week 2 will play at Mascoutah. The Cyclones then finish the regular season with hosting Springfield, at Glenwood then Rochester at home in Week 9.
Rochester also has a solid non conference slate taking on Gibson Southern from Indiana in Week 1. The Rockets then hit the road in Week 2 at Mt. Zion against a Braves team that will again have some big time play makers and a potent offense led by Mt. Zion 4 star TE/DE JC Anderson (Ole Miss).
Sleeper Teams to Watch in the Central State 8?
U High and Jacksonville– U High and head coach Brody Walworth is coming off a strong 2024 season with a 10-3 record. The Pioneers will need to reload in some key spots including needing 5 starters on the offensdive line. U High has been on the rise and look to have enough in the tank to challenge all comers. U High senior LB Griffin Meyer is a key name to watch along with senior big back Rhett Lynch. Jacksonville veteran head coach Mark Grounds will lean on an experienced team this season. The Crimsons feature a senior class that has several multi-year starters back this fall.
2025 CS8 MVP Candidates
Glenwood senior QB Colton Knoedler is coming off a strong two year run as the Titans starting quarterback. Knoedler has strong and accurate arm along with a high football IQ. Knoedler’s overall athletic ability and skills are also a plus and his legs and ability to get away from pressure is key. The Titans also have some additional names to watch including senior OL/DL Cody Moss along with senior WR Blake Lehnen.
Rochester was showing off three separate quarterbacks and head coach Derek Leonard insist that he will be using multiple quarterbacks. Rochester senior QB/S Tanner Beal has the look and game as more of a pocket passer. Beal was impressive this summer in camps. Rochester junior QB JP Leonard is more of a dual threat quarterback with good knowledge of the Rockets system. Rochester has additional names to watch including senior OL/DL Dylan Durocher, WR/S Eli Cox and RB Kaden Stout.
Sacred Heart Griffin head coach John Allison will look towards QB Cam Brinkman to again lead the Cyclones offensive attack. Brinkman was able to see his game improve considerably last season and is in line for another big season. SHG senior OL Cian Mahoney (NIU) leads a strong and much bigger Cyclones offensive line.