Games of the Week (IL – Week 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rochester vs. Simeon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rochester is coming off a flawless 14-0 season, crowned with a 4A state championship. Year after year, they prove to be a powerhouse, consistently reloading and competing for the title. Known for their high-octane offense, Rochester routinely outmaneuvers opponents with innovative formations and relentless tempo. In Week 1, they head to Gately Stadium to face Simeon. After a 6-6 season, Simeon is eager to rebound under the guidance of a new head coach—a seasoned program builder. The 2024 season promises to be an exciting new chapter for Simeon football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Players: Eli Carlson (Sr. Rochester), Bryan Zulauf (Sr. Rochester), Mason Jacobs (Sr. Rochester), Christopher Burgess (Sr. Simeon), [player_tooltip player_id='1292120' first='Xzavier' last='McGruder'] (Sr. Simeon), Terry Lee Jr (Sr. Simeon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: Simeon.</strong> Although it's rare to pick against Rochester, the Wolverines boast a formidable defense, particularly in the secondary. They also have one of the top defensive ends in the country, Burgess, who could present significant challenges for the Rockets' offense. If Simeon can limit Rochester's big plays and disrupt their rhythm, it could be the key to securing a victory. Regardless of the outcome, this Week 1 matchup in Illinois promises to be an exciting game to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maine South vs. Lincoln-Way East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maine South is returning a lot of players from last year that boasted a 10-2 record. Few teams will have a team with this many battle tested players espcially at key positions like offensive line, defensive line, and quarterback. The Hawks know how to get up and down the field and score points in bunches. Lincoln-Way East dominated majority of the oppenots on their scheudle in 2023 and getting all the way to 8A state championship before losing to Loyola. They graduated some key player but added transfer quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='800191' first='Jonas' last='Williams'] this offseason. Williams is an Oregon commit and the #7 ranked quarterback in the class of 2026. Look for him to impress in week 1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Players: Constantine Coines (Sr. Maine South) [player_tooltip player_id='833296' first='Michael' last='Dellumo'] (Sr. Maine South) [player_tooltip player_id='503737' first='Tyler' last='Fortis'] (Sr. Maine South), [player_tooltip player_id='800191' first='Jonas' last='Williams'] (Jr. LWE) [player_tooltip player_id='819695' first='Zion' last='Gist'] (Sr. LWE), [player_tooltip player_id='830853' first='Trey' last='Zvonar'] (Sr. LWE)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: Lincoln-Way East. </strong>This matchup features two of Illinois' most storied programs, both with a rich history of championship success. Don't be surprised if this game goes down to the wire, with the outcome decided in the final minutes. [player_tooltip player_id='800191' first='Jonas' last='Williams'] is the X-factor who can ignite his team with game-changing plays, not just in this matchup but all season long. As the top quarterback in Illinois, he's ready to put his skills on full display in Week 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->