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Get your calendars out and start making plans for football season because the Illinois High School Association recently released schedules for every team in the state.
Can Mount Carmel win a second straight state title? Can Lincoln-Way East and Providence take the next step after losing in championship games a year ago? Who will be the surprise team to get all the way to Normal?
Normal? That’s right, Illinois State is set to take over as the host for all eight state championship games in November. But it’s a long road to get there.
Let’s take a look at what we can enjoy along the way.
If you’ve been counting down to football season since last Thanksgiving weekend, why not jump back into it with a bang? How about a tripleheader?
Lincoln-Way East takes on highly talented Kenwood in a Thursday night special at Gately Stadium in Chicago to kick things off.
Friday, check out the debut of new St. Rita coach Martin Hopkins as the Mustangs visit Sandburg. Or check out another group of Mustangs as Morgan Park visits Richards.
Highlighted by do-it-all athletes Tysean Griffin (Illinois) and Jovan Clark, Morgan Park has some of the state’s top talent and is a must-see this season.
A Saturday road trip is a no-brainer. Head down to Normal for the showdown between 2022 state champions Mount Carmel and East St. Louis. The state’s most intriguing regular-season game and the most hyped-up opener in years.
Brother Rice vs. Marist. If the Battle of Pulaski doesn’t get you excited for an early September night in a football stadium, nothing will.
But wait, that’s not all on an amazing night of rivalries. Providence, fresh off its Class 4A runner-up finish in coach Tyler Plantz’s first season, takes on Joliet Catholic.
If you want more, Marian Catholic visits Homewood-Flossmoor on Saturday.
Jump into conference play as Eisenhower visits Richards in a key South Suburban Red district matchup. Or use a bit of a slow week to check out two new coaches.
Willie Hayes and Lemont host T.F. South on Friday. Dave Woodburn’s Lincoln-Way Central welcomes O’Fallon on Saturday.
CCL/ESCC Blue play gets going with a doozy as Mount Carmel hosts St. Rita on Friday night. Check out Caravan running back Darrion Dupree, who recently committed to Wisconsin. Brother Rice makes a Saturday trip up north to take on Loyola.
Bremen, coming off a 9-2 season, has been fun to watch in recent years and the Braves visit T.F. South for a Thursday night battle.
Did you know Riverside-Brookfield is in the Southland Conference for football for one season only? Crete-Monee hosts the Bulldogs on Friday.
A pair of CCL/ESCC whoppers highlight the Friday night slate as Mount Carmel visits Brother Rice and Marist hosts Joliet Catholic. A couple of these teams could be fighting for their playoff lives by this point.
Lincoln-Way East visits Lockport in a big SouthWest Suburban Blue showdown.
With nothing on tab for Saturday, enjoy a trip to an apple orchard or pumpkin patch.
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St. Laurence hosts Marmion and Lincoln-Way West welcomes Bradley-Bourbonnais in what could be vital games for the local teams’ playoff chances.
Morgan Park and Kenwood square off in a Public League Red showdown Saturday at Gately Stadium.
Mount Carmel hosts Providence in a battle of teams that were still playing on Thanksgiving weekend in 2022.
Lemont visits Richards for one of the highlight games on the South Suburban Conference schedule.
There are five Thursday games in the South Suburban Conference to choose from, including Bremen at Hillcrest and Tinley Park at Oak Forest.
Friday, find a 4-4 team to watch fight for its playoff life. Then wait for the playoff pairings and strap in for a wild postseason.
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
