2011 Conference Makeup and Conference Predictions

* - Co-op Team (excluding Leyden, Morton, Lockport, and Bloom Township)

Note: I have a feeling that there are more co-op programs than listed on IHSA's website.

Apollo
Preseason Pick: Mt. Zion

Effingham Flaming Hearts 869
Charleston Trojans 833
Salem Wildcats 795
Mt. Zion Braves 760
East Richland Tigers 636
Paris Tigers 622
Robinson Maroons 504
Newton Eagles 460

Big Northern East
Preseason Pick: Richmond-Burton

Burlington Central Rockets 1059
Marengo Indians 832
Richmond-Burton Rockets 788
Harvard Hornets 700
Genoa-Kingston Cogs 661 (BNW)
North Boone Vikings 536

Big Northern West
Preseason Pick: Stillman Valley

Rock Falls Rockets 676 (NCIC)
Stillman Valley Cardinals 615
Winnebago Indians 557
Byron Tigers 556
Oregon Hawks 529
Rockford Lutheran Crusaders 366

Big Rivers
Preseason Pick: Morrison

Erie-Prophetstown Panthers 529*
Kewanee Boilermakers 510
Newman Central Catholic Comets 419
Bureau Valley Storm 377
Morrison Mustangs 349
Riverdale Rams 334
Fulton Steamers 309
St. Bede Bruins 295
Amboy Clippers 294
Marquette Crusaders 183

Big Twelve
Preseason Pick: Danville

Normal Ironmen 1864
Danville Vikings 1700
Normel West Wildcats 1649
Bloomington Purple Raiders 1492
Centennial Chargers 1383
Champaign Central Maroons 1238
MacArthur Generals 1212
Urbana Tigers 1079
Eisenhower Panthers 1065
Mattoon Green Wave 1031

Black Diamond
Preseason Pick: Johnston City

Sesser-Valier Red Devils 496*
Eldorado Eagles 449*
Christopher-Ziegler-Royalton Bearcats 444*
Elverado-Trico Falcons 444*
Fairfield Mules 422
Carmi-White County Bulldogs 385
Hamilton County Foxes 374
Johnston City Indians 353
Vienna Eagles 353
Chester Yellow Jackets 337

Cahokia
Preseason Pick: Breese Central

Freeburg Midgets 655
Columbia Eagles 635
Breese Central Cougars 598
Red Bud Musketeers 434
Wesclin Warriors 400
Carlyle Indians 385
Dupo Tigers 313

Central State Eight
Preseason Pick: Sacred Heart-Griffin

Springfield Seantors 1563
Glenwood Titans 1346
Springfield Southeast 1328
Sacred Heart-Griffin Cyclones 1312
Lanphier Lions 1239
Jacksonville Crimsons 985
Taylorville Tornadoes 898
Lincoln Railsplitters 855
Rochester Rockets 684

Central Suburban North
Preseason Pick: Highland Park

Maine West Warriors 2363
Niles North Vikings 2096
Glenbrook North Spartans 2014
Highland Park Giants 1996
Maine East Blue Demons 1958
Deerfield Warriors 1707

Central Suburban South
Preseason Pick: Maine South

Waukegan Bulldogs 4282
New Trier Trevians 4167
Evanston Wildkits 2858
Maine South Hawks 2602
Glenbrook South Titans 2561
Niles West Wolves 2480

Chicago Catholic Blue
Preseason Pick: Mount Carmel

Loyola Academy Ramblers 3430
Brother Rice Crusaders 2944
Mount Carmel Caravan 2607
St. Rita Mustangs 2343
Providence Catholic Celtics 1968

Chicago Catholic Red
Pre Season Pick: Leo

St. Ignatius Wolfpack 1375
St. Joseph Chargers 675
Gordon Tech Rams 650
Leo Lions 282
Hales Franciscan Spartans 256

Chicago Catholic White
Preseason Pick: Fenwick

Fenwick Friars 1973
De La Salle Meteors 1879
St. Laurence Vikings 1182
Lake Forest Academy Caxys ???
Bishop McNamara Fightin' Irish 668

Big Shoulders
Preseason Pick: Taft

Taft Eagles 2574
Schurz Bulldogs 2232
Lincoln Park Lions 2230
Steinmetz Silver Streaks 1902
Foreman Hornets 1843
Mather Rangers 1621
Clemente Wildcats 1580
Prosser Falcons 1418

Great Lakes
Preseason Pick: Westinghouse

Westinghouse Warriors 1118
Bowen Boilermakers 967
Payton Grizzlies 895
Phillips Wildcats 865
Lindblom Eagles 741
Agricultural Science 593
Phoenix Military Academy Firebirds 438
Dyett Eagles 434

Second City
Preseason Pick: Kenwood

Kelly Trojans 3092
Kenwood Broncos 1632
DuSable Panthers 1232
Urban Prep Charter Lions 1042
Chicago Academy Cougars 500
Uplift Titans 472
Douglass Tigers 393
Austin Polytechnic Tigers 362

Windy City
Preseason Pick: Manley

Perspectives Warriors 2518*
Hyde Park Thunderbirds 1622
Little Village Phoenix 1454
Gage Park Fighting Owls 1291
South Shore Tars 1250
Marshall Commandos 802
Manley Wildcats 700
TEAM Englewood Eagles 452

Heartland
Preseason Pick: Brooks

Senn Bulldogs 1114
Brooks Eagles 769
Hope Mighty Eagles 704
Harper Cardinals 692
Carver Challengers 550
Collins Academy Warriors 427

Land of Lincoln
Preseason Pick: Julian

Harlan Falcons 1327
Julian Jaguars 1243
King Jaguars 939
Fenger Titans 891
Clark Eagles 850
Raby Raiders 560

Prairie State
Preseason Pick: Morgan Park

Bogan Bengals 1811
Hubbard Greyhounds 1697
Amundsen Vikings 1645
Morgan Park Mustangs 1506
Orr Spartans 1007
Robeson Raiders 976

Red Bird
Preseason Pick: Simeon

Lane Indians 4168
Curie Condors 3662
Simeon Wolverines 2620
Dunbar Mightymen 2524
Whitney Young Dolphins 1953
Chicago Vocational Cavaliers 1463

Inter City 1
Preseason Pick: Lake View

Lake View Wildcats 1562
Roosevelt Rough Riders 1444
Kelvyn Park Panthers 1414
Sullivan Tigers 828
Marine Military Academy Bulldogs 381
UCCS/Woodlawn Warriors 318

Inter City 2
Preseason Pick: Washington

Kennedy Crusaders 1628
Washington Patriots 1434
North Lawndale Phoenix 882
Corliss Trojans 751
Tilden Blue Devils 644
Chicago Military Academy-Bronzeville Eagles 519
Hirsch Huskies 503

Inter City 3
Preseason Pick: UIC

UIC Charter 1305
Comer Catamounts 690
Pritzker Jaguars 680
Noble Street Golden Tigers 596
Rauner Wildcats 588
Golder Panthers 546
Rowe-Clark Masai Lions 538

Inter City 4
Preseason Pick: Farragut

Noble Street/Chicago Bulls 1723
Juarez Eagles 1665
Farragut Admirals 1567
Muchin Mountain Lions 1058
East Garfield Park Lions 956
Crane Cougars 798

Corn Belt
Preseason Pick: Pontiac

University Pioneers 1006
Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs 872
Pontiac Indians 801
Rantoul Eagles 756
Bloomington Central Catholic Saints 657
Eureka Hornets 647*
Prairie Central Hawks 623
Olympia Spartans 563

DuPage Valley
Preseason Pick: Glenbard North

West Aurora Blackhawks 3425
Naperville North Huskies 3176
Naperville Central Redhawks 2921
Glenbard North Panthers 2638
Glenbard East Rams 2497
Wheaton-Warrenville South Tigers 2315
Wheaton North Falcons 2181
West Chicago Wildcats 2212

East Suburban Catholic
Preseason Pick: Joliet Catholic

Marist RedHawks 2968
Marian Spartans 2503
Carmel Corsairs 2246
Benet Redwings 2216
St. Viator Lions 1716
St. Patrick Shamrocks 1678
Notre Dame Dons 1646
Nazareth Roadrunners 1360
Joliet Catholic Hilltoppers 1160

Fox Valley Fox
Preseason Pick: Crystal Lake Central

Crystal Lake Central Tigers 1574
Grayslake North Knights 1522
Grayslake Central Rams 1333
Hampshire Whip-Purs 1062 (BNE)
Woodstock Blue Streaks 1005
Woodstock North Thunder 899
Johnsburg Skyhawks 817

Fox Valley Valley
Preseason Pick: Prairie Ridge

Dundee-Crown Chargers 2546
McHenry Warriors 2492
Jacobs Golden Eagles 2268
Huntley Red Raiders 2244
Crystal Lake South Gators 1935
Cary-Grove Trojans 1802
Prairie Ridge Wolves 1689

Heart of Illinois
Preseason Pick: Lexington

El Paso-Gridley Titans 351
Fieldcrest Knights 350
Tri-Valley Vikings 330
Tremont Turks 325
Deer Creek-Mackinaw Chiefs 311
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Falcons 289
Heyworth Hornets 274
LeRoy Panthers 251
Blue Ridge Knights 245
Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland Falcons 241*
Fisher Bunnies 181
Ridgeview Mustangs 178
Lexington Minutemen 168

Interstate Eight Large
Preseason Pick: Sandwich

Sandwich Indians 746
Peotone Blue Devils 670
Manteno Panthers 655
Coal City Coalers 642
Herscher Tigers 634
Plano Reapers 611

Interstate Eight Small
Preseason Pick: Wilmington

Lisle Lions 559
Reed-Custer Comets 554
Westmont Sentinels 546
Wilmington Wildcats 463
Seneca Fighting Irish 450
Dwight Trojans 291

Lincoln Trail
Preseason Pick: Mercer County

Mid-County Cougars 472*
Mercer County Golden Eagles 380
Stark County Rebels 310
West Central Heat 307
Annawan-Wethersfield Titans 299*
Ridgewood Spartans 279*
United Red Storm 257
Midland Falcons 255
Princeville Princes 222
West Prairie Cyclones 181

Little Illini
Preseason Pick: Casey-Westfield

Flora Wolves 552*
Marshall Lions 406
Lawrenceville Indians 374
Casey-Westfield Warriors 323
Cumberland Pirates 292
Edwards County Lions 273
Red Hill Salukis 271
Palestine Pioneers 216*
Oblong Panthers 177

Little Okaw Valley
Preseason Pick: Arcola

Cerro Gordo Broncos 241*
South Piatt Wildcats 240*
Arthur-Lovington Knights 191*
Arcola Purple Riders 190
Villa Grove Blue Devils 175
Heritage Panthers 156
Tri-County Titans 149*
Martinsville Bluestreaks 110

Metro Suburban
Preseason Pick: Glenbard South

Fenton Bison 1445
Riverside-Brookfield Bulldogs 1433
Glenbard South Raiders 1391
Elmwood Park Tigers 995
Ridgewood Rebels 857

Mid-Illini
Preseason Pick: Metamora

Pekin Dragons 1975
Washington Panthers 1188
East Peoria Raiders 1139
Dunlap Eagles 1112
Limestone Rockets 1110
Morton Potters 996
Metamora Redbirds 935
Canton Little Giants 707

Mid State Six
Preseason Pick: Quincy (Notre Dame)

Richwoods Knights 1487
Peoria Lions 1390
Manual Rams 936
Notre Dame Irish 796
Illinois Valley Central Grey Ghosts 732
Notre Dame Raiders 668

Mid-Suburban East
Preseason Pick: Prospect

Prospect Knights 2116
Buffalo Grove Bison 2085
Elk Grove Grenadiers 2012
Hersey Huskies 1986
Wheeling Wildcats 1826
Rolling Meadows Mustangs 1826

Mid-Suburban West
Preseason Pick: Fremd

Barrington Broncos 3015
Fremd Vikings 2693
Palatine Pirates 2592
Schaumburg Saxons 2335
Conant Cougars 2242
Hoffman Estates Hawks 1897

Mississippi Valley
Preseason Pick: Waterloo

Triad Knights 1198
Mascoutah Indians 1041
Highland Bulldogs 992
Jersey Panthers 925
Waterloo Bulldogs 891
Civic Memorial Eagles 790

North Suburban Lake
Preseason Pick: Stevenson

Warren Blue Devils 4417
Stevenson Patriots 4183
Zion-Benton Zee-Bees 2743
Lake Zurich Bears 2200
Mundelein Mustangs 2176
Libertyville Wildcats 1991
Lake Forest Scouts 1729

North Suburban Prairie
Preseason Pick: Vernon Hills

Round Lake Panthers 1884
Grant Bulldogs 1746
Lakes Eagles 1358
Antioch Sequoits 1356
Wauconda Bulldogs 1332
Vernon Hills Cougars 1325
North Chicago Warhawks 806

North Eastern Athletic
Preseason Pick: Rockford Christian

CICS/Longwood 896
Rockford Christian Royal Lions 379
Christian Life Eagles 238
North Shore Country Day Raiders 201
Christian Liberty Chargers 177
Luther North Wildcats 175
Hiawatha Hawks 160
Chicago Hope Academy 137
Alden-Hebron Giants 123
Mooseheart Red Ramblers 115

NIC-10
Preseason Pick: Boylan Catholic

Harlem Huskies 2446
Hononegah Indians 2223
Guilford Vikings 2063
Boylan Catholic Titans 1955
Auburn Knights 1910
Jefferson J-Hawks 1824
Belvidere North Blue Thunder 1544
Rockford East E-Rabs 1444
Freeport Pretzels 1254
Belvidere Bucs 1185

Northern Illinois Big 12 East
Preseason Pick: Kaneland

DeKalb Barbs 1687
Yorkville Foxes 1535
Kaneland Knights 1310
Sycamore Spartans 1159
Rochelle Hubs 961
Morris Redskins 960

Northern Illinois Big 12 West
Preseason Pick: Geneseo

Ottawa Pirates 1421
LaSalle-Peru Cavaliers 1199
Sterling Golden Warriors 1026
Streator Bulldogs 913
Geneseo Maple Leafs 902
Dixon Dukes 870

Northwest Upstate Illini Northwest
Preseason Pick: Lena-Winslow

West Carroll Thunder 410
Pecatonica Indians 318
Lena-Winslow Panthers 299
South Beloit Sobos 297
Dakota Indians 254
Forreston Cardinals 252
Galena Pirates 247
Polo Marcos 227
Eastland Wildcatz 179

Northwest Upstate Illini Upstate
Preseason Pick: East Dubuque

Ashton-Franklin Center Raiders 217
East Dubuque Warriors 202
Durand Bulldogs 198
Stockton Blackhawks 170
Aquin Catholic Bulldogs 153
River Ridge Wildcats 151
Orangeville Broncos 142
Warren Warriors 128
Milledgeville Missiles 116

Okaw Valley Black
Preseason Pick: Unity

Clinton Maroons 583
Monticello Sages 555
St. Teresa Bulldogs 488
Unity Rockets 455
Sullivan Redskins 368
Shelbyville Rams 336

Okaw Valley Blue
Preseason Pick: Tuscola

Warrensburg-Latham Cardinals 335
Maroa-Forsyth Trojans 341
Meridian Hawks 340
Argenta-Oreana Bombers 328
Central A&M Raiders 277
Tuscola Warriors 276

Prairie State
Preseason Pick: North Mac

Staunton Bulldogs 452
North Mac Panthers 447
Gillespie Miners 401
South Fork Ponies 308*
Nokomis Redskins 232
Bunker Hill 222
Pawnee Indians 176
Mt. Olive Wildcats 153

Prairieland Black
Preseason Pick: Lewistown

Abingdon Commandos 243
Peoria Heights Patriots 233
Bushnell-Prairie City Spartans 223
Lewistown Indians 216
Cuba Wildcats 168
Astoria Rebels 123

Prairieland Blue
Preseason Pick: Beardstown

Beardstown Tigers 437
Farmington Farmers 423
Elmwood-Brimfield Trojans 404*
Rushville-Industry Rockets 340
Knoxville Blue Bullets 339
Havana Ducks 332

Sangamo
Preseason Pick: Auburn

Pleasant Plains Cardinals 461
New Berlin Pretzels 435*
Riverton Hawks 435
Auburn Trojans 430
Williamsville Bullets 429
Athens Warriors 401*
PORTA Bluejays 375
Sangamon Valley Storm 322*

Sangamon Valley
Preseason Pick: Clifton Central

St. Thomas More Sabers 578
Watseka Warriors 499
St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans 496
Paxton-Buckley-Loda Panthers 450
Iroquois West Raiders 437*
Momence Redskins 394
Clifton Central Comets 354

South Central
Preseason Pick: Greenville

Roxana Shells 628
East Alton-Wood River Oilers 618
Hillsboro Hilltoppers 561
Greenville Comets 554
Southwestern Piasa Birds 507
Marquette Explorers 488
Vandalia Vandals 472
Pana Panthers 463
Litchfield Purple Panthers 457
Carlinville Cavaliers 409

South Seven
Preseason Pick: Mt. Vernon

Mt. Vernon Rams 1260
Carbondale Terriers 1135
Marion Wildcats 1115
Centralia Orphans 1027
Cahokia Comanches 979
Althoff Catholic Crusaders 754

South Suburban Blue
Preseason Pick: Lemont

T.F. South Rebels 2002
T.F. North Meteors 1682
Lemont Indians 1474
Oak Forest Bengals 1474
Bremen Braves 1353
Hillcrest Hawks 1305
Tinley Park Titans 1261

South Suburban Red
Preseason Pick: Richards

Eisenhower Cardinals 2092
Shepard Astros 2035
Richards Bulldogs 1876
Reavis Rams 1850
Oak Lawn Spartans 1825
Argo Argonauts 1748
Evergreen Park Mustangs 873

SIRR Mississippi
Preseason Pick: DuQuoin

Anna-Jonesboro 530
Carterville Lions 500
Nashville Hornets 478
DuQuoin Indians 423
Pinckneyville Panthers 411
Sparta Bulldogs 390

SIRR Ohio
Preseason Pick: Harrisburg

Herrin Tigers 694
Massac County Patriots 632
Murphysboro Red Devils 629
Harrisburg Bulldogs 589
Benton Rangers 576
Frankfort Redbirds 534

Southland
Preseason Pick: Crete-Monee

Bloom Township Blazing Trojans 3325
Crete-Monee Warriors 1667
Rich Central Olympians 1513
Rich South Stars 1344
Kankakee Kays 1186
Rich East Rockets 1157

Southwest Prairie
Preseason Pick: Minooka

Minooka Indians 2497
Plainfield South Cougars 2450
Plainfield Central Wildcats 2174
Oswego Panthers 2126
Oswego East Wolves 2075
Plainfield North Tigers 1849
Romeoville Spartans 1794
Plainfield East Bengals 1755

Southwest Suburban Blue
Preseason Pick: Homewood-Flossmoor

Lockport Porters 3758
Sandburg Eagles 3582
Bolingbrook Raiders 3575
Joliet Central Steelmen 2866
Homewood-Flossmoor Vikings 2843
Joliet West Tigers 2761
Lincoln-Way East Griffins 2254
Lincoln-Way Central Knights 1958

Southwest Suburban Red
Preseason Pick: Thornton

Stagg Chargers 2483
Andrew Thunderbolts 2292
Thornton Wildcats 2147
Bradley-Bourbonnais Boilermakers 2029
Thornwood Thunderbirds 1982
Lincoln-Way North Phoenix 1792
Thornridge Falcons 1517
Lincoln-Way West Warriors 1284

Southwestern
Preseason Pick: East St. Louis

Belleville East Lancers 2692
O'Fallon Panthers 2489
Edwardsville Tigers 2368
Belleville West Maroons 2281
Alton Redbirds 2039
Collinsville Kahoks 1999
Granite City Warriors 1931
East St. Louis Flyers 1564

Suburban Christian Blue
Preseason Pick: Marmion Academy

Marmion Academy Cadets 1640
St. Francis Spartans 1262
Marian Central Catholic Hurricanes 1181
Montini Broncos 1153
Wheaton Academy Warriors 1046
St. Edward Greenwave 629

Suburban Christian Red
Preseason Pick: Aurora Christian

Chicago Christian Knights 627
Immaculate Conception Knights 568
Aurora Christian Eagles 563
Guerin Gators 536
Aurora Central Catholic Chargers 529
Walther Lutheran Broncos 400

Upstate Eight River
Preseason Pick: Geneva

Elgin Maroons 2367
St. Charles East Fighting Saints 2297
Streamwood Sabres 2128
St. Charles North North Stars 2084
Larkin Royals 2049
Geneva Vikings 1942
Batavia Bulldogs 1835

Upstate Eight Valley
Preseason Pick: Bartlett

Neuqua Valley Wildcats 4245
East Aurora Tomcats 3089
Waubonsie Valley Warriors 2895
Lake Park Lancers 2820
South Elgin Storm 2719
Bartlett Hawks 2659
Metea Valley Mustangs 1859

Vermillion Valley
Preseason Pick: Westville

Oakwood-Armstrong-Potomac Comets 500*
Hoopeston Area Cornjerkers 436
Westville Tigers 374
Bismarck-Henning Blue Devils 360
Georgetown-Ridge Farm 329
Milford Bearcats 326*
Schlarman Hilltoppers 165
Jamaica Storm 138

West Central North
Preseason Pick: Mendota

Princeton Tigers 629 (NCIC)
Mendota Trojans 605 (NCIC)
Sherrard Tigers 481
Rockridge Rockets 432
Hall Red Devils 395 (NCIC)
Orion Chargers 319

West Central South
Preseason Pick: Illini West

Macomb Bombers 589
Monmouth-Roseville Titans 530
Pittsfield-Griggsville-Perry Saukees 501*
Illini West Chargers 418
Camp Point Central-Southeastern Panthers 416*
West Hancock Titans 399

West Suburban Gold
Preseason Pick: Downers Grove South

Morton Mustangs 8112
Leyden Eagles 3383
Downers Grove South Mustangs 3114
Proviso East Pirates 2187
Willowbrook Warriors 2051
Addison Trail Blazers 1908
Hinsdale South Hornets 1807

West Suburban Silver
Preseason Pick: Glenbard West

Lyons Township Lions 3830
Oak Park-River Forest Huskies 3150
Proviso West Panthers 2845
Hinsdale Central Red Devils 2647
York Dukes 2625
Glenbard West Hilltoppers 2256
Downers Grove North Trojans 2141

Western Big Six
Preseason Pick: Alleman

Moline Maroons 2072
Quincy Blue Devils 1984
United Panthers 1663
Rock Island Rocks 1589
Galesburg Silver Streaks 1377
Alleman Pioneers 742


Western Illinois Valley North
Preseason Pick: Brown County

Brown County Hornets 244
Routt Catholic Rockets 208
Unity Mustangs 192
Triopia Trojans 185*
ISD Tigers 130
Virginia Redbirds 105

Western Illinois Valley South
Preseason Pick: Calhoun

North Greene Spartans 287
West Central Cougars 276
Pleasant Hill-Western Wolves 267*
Greenfield Tigers 263*
Carrolton Hawks 211
Calhoun Warriors 206

Independent

Mater Dei Knights 804 Playoffs: Yes
Mount Carmel Golden Aces 599 (Big Eight) Playoffs: Yes
St. Francis de Sales Pioneers 290 Playoffs: No
Metro-East Lutheran Knights 209 Playoffs: No

Real American Heroes: Corey Shaw

I would like to extend my condolences to the Shaw family and the community of Du Quoin. Former Du Quoin athlete and firefighter Corey Shaw, 22, was killed fighting a fire in downstate Pinckneyville.

Corey Shaw (right)



http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/corey-shaw-firefighter-dead-pinckneyville-22-year-old-20110618

For anyone reading this, I strongly urge you to keep the Shaw family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of grieving. I wish all parties the best and hope that everyone can stay strong through this tragedy.

Connor Thomas: Football Beast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vhTrX-9TSs

This video is of 2010 Notre Dame Senior Connor Thomas. He will be playing for Minnesota State in Mankato, MN this fall. Why am I posting this? Because I played youth football with this guy.

Games I'm Looking Forward To

Week 4: Sacred Heart-Griffin v. Rochester

After the 2010 4A champion Rockets lost most of their starters, mostly notably Riley McMinn, Wes Lunt leads the Rockets in the most anticipated CS8 game of the season. I could see the conference championship decided with this game, just like it was last year. Just like I did last year thought, I'm taking the Cyclones.

Rochester also takes on 5A runner-up Glenwood in Chatham week 8 which will be worth seeing. Aside from the game, I can tell you personally that Glenwood is a school with state of the art facilities and a rabid fan-base. Their fans are definitely going to be there in bunches in Week 8 to tomohawk chop the Titans to victory.

Week 1: Stillman Valley @ Aurora Christian

Aurora Christian was a very underrated team in 3A last season under head coach Don Beebe. They also play in an underrated conference. Going 1-4 in a conference that featured 5A state champion Montini, 6A state runner-up Marmion Academy, Marian Central Catholic, Walther Lutheran, and St. Francis. The four teams they lost to made deep playoff runs and the team they beat (Walther Lutheran 45-20) boasted multiple Division 1 athletes. Aurora Christian made it to the Quarterfinals as a 5-4 team by pasting Oregon 38-0 in the first round and knocking off undefeated Wilmington 18-16 in the 2nd round. They lost to 3A state runner-up and then defending 3A champion Stillman Valley 16-46 in the Quarterfinals. The revenge-minded Eagles are going to be fighting for the playoffs in Week 1. Stillman Valley will still be a shoe-in to take the Big Northern West. I believe that hunger will be the difference between both teams and I'm going to take Aurora Christian in this game...that is if Aurora Christian is still open by week 1.

Week 6: Quincy Notre Dame @ IVC

The two teams that were rejected from the North Central. IVC and Quincy ND. In the whole NCIC shuffle this offseason, IVC joined the Mid-State Six as the Sixth member. I'm interested in this game solely because I feel that if the MS6 holds serve for the next few seasons, ND/IVC could be an interesting rivalry. Both schools have been in the playoffs the last couple of seasons, are close in football enrollment, and both got rejected from the same conference this past offseason. That being said, I've got Notre Dame in a rout. Last season, ND's only three loses were close losses to 3A champion Illini West (20-22), 5A semifinalist Richwoods (14-20), and eventual champion Rochester in the 4A Quarterfinals (21-23). In addition to that, they pounded Mater Dei, Waterloo (twice), Macomb, and Manual who were all playoff teams. They also went 2-0 against playoff-level teams in Missouri (Hannibal and Helias in Jefferson City) who they are meeting up with again in 2011. IVC by contrast was ousted in the 2nd round last season by Pontiac, slaughtered by Dunlap in week 1, and surrendered a one touchdown loss to Mendota who I would consider at best a "decent" 4A team that had no business in the quarterfinals last season. What could be the saving grace for IVC is that QND has lost a lot of talent from last season. However, I think Raider Nation will still be strong enough to take IVC.

The City of Champions Classic

I have no commentary on this, but I love to see us go up against good out of state talent. This year it will be. I'm also interested in seeing Robert Gregory and Jordan Diamond from Simeon, St. Rita minus Jahwon Akui, and East St. Louis minus several Division one prospects that they graduated.

Simeon v. Jefferson City (Missouri)
St. RIta v. Whitehaven (Tennessee)
East St. Louis v. Garnder-Edgerton (Kansas)

Go Wolverines, go Mustangs, go Eastside!


I'm sure to be adding to this in no time.

The West Central

In what figures to be a one season thing, Mendota, Hall, and Princeton have each joined the West Central Conference for football. As an IHSA fan, all I'm certain of is that a lot of gas is going to be consumed and Illini West is still the team to beat in either division (The WCC will split into divisions for football). With the addition of Mendota, Hall, and Princeton, the 12-team West Central Football Conference will look like this

WCC (North)
Mendota Trojans
Hall Red Devils
Princeton Tigers*
Orion Chargers
Sherrard Tigers
Rockridge Rockets

WCC (South)
Illini West Chargers
Camp Point Central Panthers**
West Hancock Titans***
Macomb Bombers
Monmouth-Roseville Titans
Pittsfield Saukees****


*Co-op with Ohio High School
** Co-op with Southeastern High School
*** Co-op between Hamilton and Warsaw High Schools
**** Co-op with Griggsville-Perry High School

The re-alignment actually went over well geographically. I feel that this alignment works better for the nine existing teams in the conference and I would imagine that the West Central would like to keep a twelve-team, two-division format. The problem being, is that I would imagine that Mendota and Princeton would like to join the Big Northern sometime soon. Also, I feel that Hall would be a better fit, geographically and enrollment-wise, in the Big Rivers (which has a good thing going with 10 teams). So here's my suggestion for the near future that could keep everybody happy, competitive, and with good numbers.

West Central

South Division
Pittsfield
Camp Point Central
Illini West
West Hancock
Macomb
Monmouth-Roseville

North Division
Orion
Rockridge
Riverdale
Sherrard
Fulton
Mercer County (Lincoln Trail)

Big Rivers

Bureau Valley
Hall
Amboy-LaMoille
Erie-Prophetstown
Kewanee
Morrison
Newman Central Catholic
Marquette
St. Bede
West Carroll (Northwest Upstate Illini)

Big Northern

West Division

Rock Falls
Mendota
Stillman Valley
Byron
Oregon
Princeton
Winnebago
Rockford Lutheran

East Division

Burlington Central
Genoa-Kingston
Richmond-Burton
Harvard
North Boone
Marengo
Rockford Christian (Northeastern Athletic)
Sandwich (Interstate Eight)


If my logic here is flawed, please let me know. However, this years West Central is going to be solid conference. I can see about 2 or 3 teams from the West Central making solid playoff runs. Mendota is capable of knocking off a team or two in 4A, Hall is as solid as they come for a team of their enrollment, and Illini West is the defending 3A champion. Look for Rockridge, CSC (Central-Southeastern Coop), and Macomb to make some noise in their respective divisions. Here's where I see the teams finishing

North
1. Mendota
2. Rockridge
3. Hall
4. Sherrard
5. Orion
6. Princeton

South
1. Illini West
2. CSC
3. Macomb
4. Pittsfield
5. Monmouth-Roseville
6. West Hancock

This conference is probably the re-aligned conference that I'm most excited about in 2011. Especially because this conference alignment is most likely temporary and borne of the the dissolution of the historic NCIC.

Unacceptable Behavior

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nhl/news/story?id=6669115

Anybody catch Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals yesterday? Patrice Bergeron with 2 big goals in the most important game of the season. Tim Thomas out-dueling the talented, yet inconsistent Roberto Luongo. Xdeno Chara turning the puck over in his own zone and immediately making up for it by blocking Alex Burrows' shot. The Bruins ending their status as the redheaded stepchild of Boston sports. Yet, like Dallas earlier this week, the right story lines are overshadowed by the wrong storylines. After the game last night, rioting incited in Vancouver hospitalizing 150, injuring 9 cops, several cars burned including 2 police cars, looting. In Vancouver?! Paradise?! Nooooo, couldn't be.

Believe it.

So I decided to go around the internet and see what people are saying about this.

Karolina from Norridge, IL says

"So I know this is late and all but I love the fact that Canucks fans called us babies for being pissed when the Blackhawks lost but when they lose, they riot and almost burn Vancouver down. 140 people ended up in the hospital because goddamn Canadians are sore losers."

Jasmine from Independence, MO says

"Way to go Vancouver, you burn your city to the ground over a hockey game."

Justin from Poplar Grove, IL says

"Trophy stays in America... u mad, Canada?"

Sam from Norridge, IL says

"lmfao i saw that. crazy assholes!!!"

Jack from Bensenville, IL says

"i love how canadians are starting riots cuz canucks lost lol"



In essence, everyone in the midwest has nothing but smack to talk about the Canucks, their fans, and Canadians (Canadiens) in general. All I have to say is that there is a fine line between being a die hard fan and being, for lack of a better word, a jackass. Anybody who participated in that riot, with the exception of anyone that acted strictly out of self-defense, is miles beyond that line. Leave the fighting to the athletes and the rioting to the soccer fans.



Not that Boston is unfamiliar with sports rioting.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,305690,00.html



Oh and I would like to wish a happy 40th birthday to Tupac Shakur. Rest in Peace. THUG LIFE.

Steroids. My Thoughts on the Matter

Steroids.

Any of a large class of organic compounds with a characteristic molecular structure containing four rings of carbon atoms (three six-membered and one five). They include many hormones, alkaloids, and vitamins

Performance Enhancing Drugs

Substances used by athletes to improve their performances in the sports in which they engage.

" Dianabol, the breakfast of champions." - Arnold Schwarzenegger

Now I'm not going to go on a rant about how bad steroids and PED's are and how you're only hurting yourself by taking them. That's an easy stance to take and I'm all about playing devil's advocate.

I will say this much: It's a terrible venture for children and teenagers. For that reason, it makes me glad that more attention has been brought

I've met many people ranging from young to old that share the bond of current and ex-football players. Some of the older ones that I've gotten the chance to talk to would sometimes tell me that steroid use was mandated on their high school teams. So this crackdown on PED's and an increase in drug testing has worked to the game's advantage in the PR department. The crackdown at the prep level is better for players with no intention to play at a high level who could have been victim to mandated steroid use some 25 years ago.

As for myself, I never took steroids or witnessed anybody using steroids. A lot of people used creatine (even myself at a point), but I never witnessed anybody use steroids. That's not to say I played with any users. There were two kids who were believed to use steroids that I played with but none that I can confirm so I won't drop any names. Locally, steroid use is believed to be very prevalent at Glenbard North and Maine South High Schools from what I have heard.

Doping is still cheating but drug testing before the playoffs or an event is not going to stop kids that want to dope from doping. There's always going to be athletes looking for a competitive edge and a shortcut. Steroids and PED's provide both. The problem is that steroids, like a lot of substances, are unhealthy for children and unhealthy to abuse drugs of any kind.

Steroids have their place. They help cure diseases, foster muscular strength, treat medical conditions, and increase bone density. Steroids can work wonders in the medical world. However, they will continue to linger in our game. Stigma, drug testing, penalties, statistics, deaths and all. Doping in prep sports will never cease to exist entirely.

The Cream of the Crop

As of this post these are the top college prospects in Illinois going into this season

ESPNU Top 150 Players

103. OT Jordan Diamond Simeon
135. DT Tommy Schutt Glenbard West

Others

OT Dan Voltz Barrington
OT Ryan Ward Providence Catholic
DT Faith Ekaktie Lake Forest Academy
ATH Maurice Fleming Curie
OG Jaleel Johnson Montini
OLB Antonio Morrison Bolingbrook
DT Vincent Valentine Edwardsville
WR Jordan Westerkamp Montini
QB Wes Lent Rochester
QB Robert Gregory Simeon
RB Malin Jones Joliet Catholic
DB Anthony Sandifer Crete-Monee
RB Tevin Coleman Oak Forest
RB David Smith Bremen
DL Vontrell WIlliams Mount Carmel (Upstate)
OL Johnny Caspers Glenbard West
RB Jason Robertson Lincoln-Way East
OL Dan Feeney Sandburg
OL Robbie Bain Bolingbrook
RB Michael Panico Carmel
RB/LB Chase Murdock Barrington
OL Scott Taylor Marian Central Catholic
QB Ryan West Oswego
WR Charles Harris Lake Forest Academy
LB Jack Lynn Lake Zurich
OL Ryan Callen Hinsdale Central
QB Anthony Maddie Aurora Christian
RB Martez Walker Brother Rice
DL Mario Jones Hubbard
QB A.J. Bilyeu Bartlett

Moral of the story: Glenbard West, Simeon, and Montini are primed for a run at the state championship in 2011.

It's a Cat Thing

One thing I forgot to mention in my opening post was that I'm a fan of the Wheaton-Warrenville South Tigers. The team that won state in 7A last season. Arguably one of the ten best teams in the nation. That Wheaton-Warrenville South.

Of course teams that are that great are loaded with seniors and the 2010 Tigers were no exception. Every started on offense and nine of the defensive starters have graduated. This includes QB Reilly O'Toole (Illinois), RT Luke Luhrsen (Kansas), and WR Titus Davis (Central Michigan). Losing your top three tackle leaders (Mike Monterrubio, Sparty Chino, and R.J. Hoshell) doesn't help your cause either. Needless to say, South lost a lot of talent from their 2010 squad.

However, this 2011 team does boast a committed Division 1 prospect at this point of the year. His name is Dan Vitale and he is listed as an "Athlete". He has recently committed to Northwestern University, which has hit Illinois' class of 2012 hard by inking Vitale, Boylan Catholic DE Dean Lowry, Plano DB Joseph Jones, and Joliet Catholic RB Malin Jones.

With a 29 ACT Score and a 5.3 GPA (see http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-06-10/sports/ct-spt-0611-prep-foot-vitale-commits-20110610_1_northwestern-wildcats-plan-camp) paired with the desire to play at a program such as Northwestern make the school a good fit for him and as a Tiger Fan and a fan of kids with a good head on their shoulders wish him the best at Northwestern.

Go Tigers, Go Cats.

A Little Bit of Background

My name is Michael White. I'm an 18 year old former high school football player from Norridge, Illinois. I played high school ball for the Ridgewood Rebels for four years and lettered for two seasons. I played Offensive and Defensive Line during my time at Ridgewood. In addition to playing, I am a fan of High School football in Illinois. The purpose of this blog is to tell some of my stories from my playing days as well as my days as a spectator. I will also use this blog as an outlet to tell people how I feel about what's going on in the game (or sports in general) and players that are making it big. This will be an interesting season due to the fact that I will be at college at the University of Missouri, which is 2 hours away from the state's game. The following is the link to my twitter which I will make an effort to keep up to date with and occasionally use in conjunction with this blog.

http://twitter.com/#!/micklovin71