Football Fanatic

Indeed it has been rumored for a while. Massive addition for Reitz as I've heard and seen nothing but good things about him and they lock up their QB spot up for the next 3 seasons. Tons of potential with him, and pairs well with the skill position talent they have. By the way, where are you seeing these rosters? I know about some other transfers around the city but unsure if any have been made roster official yet.

I believe most summer practices will officially be underway today or this week! Interested to hear updates, as the summer goes on, about who all is/is not playing and where transfer candidates end up. Also about how various 7-on-7 tournaments and scrimmages go.

Sectional track meet was last night. I saw Memorial's Ray Brodie won the 100m with a 10.58 which is a sectional record. I also saw Reitz' Xavier Thomas won the 200m with a 21.58 which is also a sectional record. Two of the fastest kids in the state are in Evansville! Gotta love it. I haven't seen many of the other results, how did all the other football players do?

That's great for VL to get a key player back. I knew they had a guy out from the beginning but never heard how it happened, that's extremely unfortunate.

Kind of surprising to me that those records have held this long with all the athletes to come through Reitz. Congrats to Xavier!

Yeah sorry, I just saw the All-SIAC teams released this morning so it's only 1st and 2nd place lol. And also wasn't sure who all were football players as well. Some teams will definitely be solid in the trenches!

I saw his 100 time was 10.74 and 200 time was 21.55 which I believe is very close to the SIAC record. I think he is now the #1 200m dash runner in the whole state. Just a junior as well. With that speed and size I would imagine he gets some big college looks in track and football. Very dangerous weapon for the Reitz football team who already has a handful of them. St. Louis has grown quite a bit too I believe. I imagine he will be a difficult guy to tackle. Bair has a great chance to be the best DB in the conference. Very athletic and always in the right place. As far as other results, I think the All-SIAC teams just came out. As far as football players, I saw senior Isaac Maynard from Reitz won the high jump and senior Eli McDurmon from MD won the 400m dash. Other one was junior Domonic Brown from Harrison was 2nd in 300m hurdles. There may be other football players that placed but unsure. Lots of dynamic athletes in the SIAC, looking forward to see how the rest of the track season plays out and then how all those guys perform on the gridiron!

I agree. I thought that ranking was a bit puzzling. I think GS should be closer to top 5, and definitely not behind HH. I do think that GS vs. HH game will be a great matchup this year. Sure, GS will not be as good as last year, but would not be shocked at all if they make another postseason run.

Looking forward to all the talent coming back in the SIAC this season. Lot of it untapped, underrated, or unknown at this point. Here is just the returning SIAC All Conference players: QB 2nd team - Jr. Cameron Tilly - Castle - (not playing this year) At Large - Jr. Mason Wunderlich - Mater Dei RB 2nd team- Jr. Jaiden Thomas - Bosse WR/TE 1st team - Jr. Leo Collins - Memorial 2nd team - Jr. Weston Aigner - Castle G/T 1st team - Jr. Drew Weinzapfel - Memorial 1st team - So. Timmy Dixon - North 2nd team - Jr. Jack Cassidy - Memorial K 2nd team - Jr. Tyler Sitzman - Mater Dei DL 2nd team - Jr. Kelton Farmer - Memorial 2nd team - So. Jayden Hazelwood - North LB 2nd team - Jr. John Purdy - Castle DB 1st team - Jr. Bralen Bair - Jasper 2nd team - So. Roland Vera Jr - Reitz P 2nd team - Jr. Charlie Kabrick - Jasper

Agreed. Could be a positive or negative depending how you look at it, but GS will be able to play a majority of their sectional games with their backups/JV team. Keeps them fresh and healthy but also could limit the starter reps. Either way, they will be heavy heavy favorites to win their sectional for years to come. MV Posey will be competitive with them this season and maybe in the near future, but that's really it. And oddly enough, GS now has the chance to see HH or Southridge in either regionals or semi-state (not sure which it would be off the top of my head) if those teams make runs. Interesting, if not confusing, realignment there.

Sectional 24 comes out really nice with the realignments. One less team who could potentially beat our beloved SIAC teams (sorry Jasper and Reitz), one less place to travel. Boonville obviously isn't too bad of a trip, although the field could use upgrades. Now the dreaded trip will be Jasper, especially if you have to do it twice in a season. Bosse enters a more difficult sectional now, but on the positive, they will see more teams who they already play and know more about.

He has definitely shown glimpses, has the ability to break a long run every time he touches it due to his small build and quickness. I believe he is a cousin to Mt. Vernon's QB Nicot Burnett. They should both be poised for big seasons! Memorial will definitely have options. Any updated word on whether Ellsperman will get the nod at QB or is it an open competition between him and Fisher? I feel like if Fisher seems ready, they may be even better with Fisher at QB and Ellsperman at WR. Or do they give Fisher a year to play JV and take over next year? Getting close, summer practices and competitions should be picking up by the end the month!

Speaking of RBs, how about projected starters or 1-2 punches at the RB position in the conference. I know there has been talk of some transfers, but let's assume the transfers aren't happening or at least are not official yet. I admit I don't have much depth of knowledge on some of the rosters, just taking a shot at it. Lots of returning starters/contributors at the RB position it seems, should be a loaded position! Feel free to add your own thoughts or add input. Memorial - Donavan Baker - very well built and a solid athlete, think he gets some opportunities regardless of who else they have Castle - Peyton Guerzini - had a great sophomore season and high expectations last season before the OL was dwindled down and he got hit with an injury, hopefully he has a healthy senior season because that offense will rely on him heavily North - Angelo St. Louis & Cainen Northington - heck of a 1-2 punch to have as they are both quick and talented, but not necessarily proven yet. With a new unproven QB taking over, they will be relied on heavily Reitz - Jonas Burnett - has shown glimpses of how quick and talented he is, but has not been able to stay healthy the past two seasons, hopefully that changes his senior season as Reitz could be very solid if so Mater Dei - Joey Pierre - huge for MD to return their QB and RB to defend their runner up season, Pierre should have a huge season Harrison - Albert Wadlington - tough to tackle, sort of an MJD bowling ball type, may be relied on heavily to carry the load of the offense Bosse - JD Thomas - made a name for himself last season until some trouble sidelined him, but good size and talent, with a new QB taking over should be relied on heavily Jasper - Mitchel Leinenbach - maybe overshadowed by the other horses in the stable last year but still talented, forms a solid 1-2 punch with the returning QB, not sure who else they have in the flex backfield Vincennes - Tanner Gilbert - he might be more of a fullback but not sure who else they have, and I do believe their JV or freshman RB is a solid player Central - Rode/Diaz? - Honestly not sure, this is a wait and see, I think they also have a kid named Broshears who is talented but not sure what position he will play

Bosse had 4 commit to SMWC - Breylin Behme, DeBryan Bush, Adonimi Parker, Jeffrey Lapointe

If you have not heard yet...the Reitz community lost a freshmen Tuesday night in an accidental death. The school announced that it was Kaden Vera...younger brother of Roland Vera. So sad for that family and the community 😔

I disagree. USI will be competitive in D1 in the near future. Recruiting should not be an issue at all, especially with the transfer portal options. The big question will be maintaining and developing the players. As far as USI football goes, I agree the chances are low. However, I could see the wheels begin to turn within the next decade.

Agree with a lot of what you said. I will add my additional thoughts...Best QB should be Wunderlich. Best RB will be Pierre or Guerzini, but look out for Burnett at Reitz if he stays healthy, or St. Louis/Northington at North. Best OL goes to Memorial obviously. Best WR group would be Memorial (Collins and Pearce), MD (Stolz, Martin, younger McDurmon), or Reitz (Thomas, Vera, Hayden Summers). North has talent at WR as well. Best LB group would be Castle led by Purdy or Reitz who returns all of their LBs. Best secondary would be MD, Jasper, or Reitz who returns all of theirs. Best corner probably Bair at Jasper. Best DL might be Castle or North. Lot of talent in the SIAC, looking forward to seeing them all play!

Good topic. Not sure on all those specifics, but I will name 3 returning (that I know of, limited knowledge) impact players for each position off the top of my head. QB - Mason Wunderlich (MD), Caleb Ellsperman (Memorial), Grant Young (Jasper) RB - Joey Pierre (MD), Peyton Guerzini (Castle), Jonas Burnett (Reitz) WR - Leo Collins (Memorial), Weston Aigner (Castle), Xavier Thomas (Reitz) TE - Kaleb Harris (North), Branson Beal (Reitz), Brooks Thomas (Harrison) OL - Edward Hartig (Memorial), Timmy Dixon (North), Harlen Summers (Reitz) DL - Jayden Hazelwood (North), Levi Oxley (Reitz), Da'shon Stewart (Central) LB - John Purdy (Castle), Ayden Wells (Reitz), Carac Johnson (Memorial) DB - Bralen Bair (Jasper), Asher Horn (Harrison), Roland Vera Jr. (Reitz)

Not sure who you are referring to but based on last season and what I've heard about Davies, he's very solid for his age and has a lot of potential. Wherever he plays, I would guess he's a three year starter.

I don't see it happening but I do think the Reitz D has the potential to be a top 3 defense if their young guys have matured and improved. I would say the best D this year will be Castle. As far as offenses go, based on knowledge of key returnees, losses, and additions....I would say the top 3 scoring offenses will be Memorial, Reitz, and MD. I think Jasper, Castle, and North will be able to win games while not scoring a whole lot.

Not sure there is any truth to that. But if Davies does go, they might become a legit contender in the SIAC for the next few years. There have been rumblings about Herdes not playing but that would lead me to believe Davies would stay at Central to take over as QB. Not sure who Bosse, VL, or Harrison has next up. North will probably have a QB battle between the McKinney kid and the younger QB. Castle will probably start the Gordon kid unless they get a transfer. Jasper has Grant Young back which is good for their offense.

Speaking of a QB competition, it seems like at least a few teams will have some QB battles or question marks entering the season. The QB situations at each school may be a good topic of discussion.

How will the conference look overall in the 2022 season? Very competitive from top to middle of the pack Will Jasper defend its title or will a new/co champion will be crowned? New champ, MD or Memorial QB trouble in Paradise? Who will take the reign of Castle’s QB1 for the season? I have an idea, and I think they'll be fine Who replaces the Dynamic Duo RB combo at Memorial? Or potentially a new QB behind Memorial’s O-line? Not sure how the Rode situation will work out but I would think Donavan Baker gets some run Can the Huskies finally get over the 5 win hump and get a winning season? QB will be a big question mark for them but I think they finish about the same Do we see an improved Bosse team coming into the season? I think as a team they improve a bit but still end with 2-3 wins Judging by the off season, is Reitz slowly becoming a potential Dark Horse in the SIAC? Or will the Panthers at least get over the losing season hump. I would say so, lot of experienced talent plus whatever they add. I could see them getting 5-7 wins depending on the QB situation How do the teams of VL, Central, Harrison look like this upcoming season? Not great. I don't know who all Central is losing but I assume they have some young or returning talent. I would pre-rank those 1 Central 2 Harrison 3 VL Can Mater Dei make another trip at the State Finals? Yes, another good shot at it and possibly meet up with Andrean again Favorite(s) in the SIAC this season? Memorial or MD Most intriguing matchup? Memorial vs MD Deepest postseason run? Or multiple deep runs? MD at least goes to semi-state, Memorial goes to regionals, Castle possibly goes to regionals Hardest schedule? VL has the toughest schedule due to traveling and being the underdog Team to beat in the SIAC? Has to be MD as a returning state runner up Will Tango make his Chili in Jasper? I have no knowledge of this Tango Chili

I was just about to say it’s been quiet and see if anybody had any new updates or thoughts. Love me some early pre-season rankings. I mostly agree with your list. I think Memorial finishes at the top, especially if the RB situation works out. This could be the year Reitz jumps ahead of Castle and/or Jasper. Lots of young talent that is experienced now plus the huge addition that was previously discussed. I think North is just as competitive as last year but replacing a QB like Brawdy will not be easy. The top two seem unanimous, but the 3-6 could really finish any way. Your bottom four are probably spot on. We’re getting closer but it pains me that we’re still 5 months away from games. May even get an itch to try a preseason All-SIAC team soon.