When new seasons begin in sports, the good news is that no team has tasted defeat. Optimism exists in larger measure than near the end of he season for many teams. Still, some teams play better when the season advances in the schedule.
Do two victories by the Bears in two preseason games with starting players playing limited time offer hope or a false narrative? It is the reason there will be a 17-game regular season of games.
High school Fall sports have started in some sports.
The first high school football games in the State will be played Friday, Aug. 26 with a limited schedule Saturday, Aug. 27.
Optimism will be involved in the majority for the first week’s games. Unfortunately a limited number of players’ mindsets will prevent positive thinking even in the first game. This, too, is a learning device.
• August 27 means early starts for both the University of Illinois and Northwestern University.
The latter Wildcats will offer intrigue with a home game in Dublin, Ireland against Big Ten Conference opponent Nebraska. The 11:30 a.m. kickoff Central Time will mean a 5:30 p.m. start in Ireland.. Blarney is what Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald would like to serve to Nebraska. The Big Ten Conference game offers a double incentive.
The mundane Illinois start will be in a non-conference start at home at 3 p.m. against the Wyoming Cowboys. Can both Northwestern and Illinois surpass a .500 record this season? Last year Illinois finished 5-7 overall and Northwestern was 3-9 overall.
High school head football coaches offer comments.
• West Aurora’s Nate Eimer: Strengths, include quarterback Gino Martino and wide receiver Andrew Kolich who return. “We are more skilled and better up-front than we have been in a while. We have almost our entire defensive line back. Weaknesses are a lot of inexperienced kids even though they are talented. We need to stay healthy. Depth is always an issue.
• Yorkville’s Dan McGuire: Our defensive front is all returners, so we are excited. Offensively we only have two returners, but, feel like we have some good pieces, just need them to get experience. We hope to compete in our (Suburban Prairie) Conference this year.
• Well-regarded Batavia has a difficult schedule and high hopes. The Bulldogs will be on the road in the first three game while new stands are installed. Dennis Piron: “The team is balanced with experience and first-year starters. Our frontline players are all talented, invested, and excited for the season with a chip on their shoulders. We have the potential to be a great team. Offensive line strength, defensive front seven, and lots of skill make this group formidable.”