Countdown to prep football: Three bold predictions for this season

Time for the scary part of our countdown to prep football.

All summer, week after week, we’ve provided insight related to the 2025 season for teams, players and coaches throughout our coverage area. We’ll hit No. 1 on opening night, Aug. 29.

We started in June with 10 of the area’s top senior football recruits and continued with nine area quarterbacks and eight non-quarterbacks to watch, seven new coaches, six awesome season openers, five of the toughest schedules and four Saturday games to see.

Now — buckle up — it’s time for three bold predictions for the upcoming football season.

Private conversation

There’s no denying the domination private schools have enjoyed recently when it comes to state football championships. In 2024 they won seven of the eight titles.

But here’s the bold prediction — it won’t happen this season. The IHSA tweaked the classification and enrollment multiplier process for private schools, which should make it more difficult for programs to rise so quickly, especially in the smaller classes.

Last year’s run was especially stunning. DePaul Prep, which hadn’t been in the playoffs since 2015, won for the first time since 1980 back when it was Gordon Tech. Chicago Christian never had won, and Althoff won its first title since 1989.

The previous IHSA rules regarding the enrollment multiplier allowed schools to request a waiver, based on a lack of recent playoff success, to remain in smaller classes. Those waivers won’t be as readily available because of the IHSA tweaks that go into effect this season.

It’ll still be tough to stop Loyola, Mt. Carmel, Nazareth, etc. But seven out of eight is likely out of reach.

Flipping out

We’ve seen a large number of high-profile local football players recently commit to powerhouse college programs.

Here’s the next bold prediction — at least one of them will flip to another school.

I have no inside information, and no specific players in mind. So take a breath, sports fans.

But given the current recruiting landscape, it’s only natural to assume college coaches remain hovered around these top players. With signing day months away, it’s nowhere near too late to “convince” a player to flip.

In the era of NIL payments and revenue sharing in college athletics, there’s going to be a lot of money floating around to toss at other schools’ recruits.

It’d be awfully tempting for a high schooler to grab more money and switch allegiances. If one of our players ends up flipping, it’d be tough to blame him.

Take two

Last year at this time, I thought for sure the Class 8A field would be too strong and deep for Loyola Academy to three-peat as state champion.

Oops … another bold prediction gone awry. The Ramblers overcame tough playoff games against Marist and Lincoln-Way East and eventually rolled to a sixth overall title.

Let’s give this bold prediction another shot. Loyola won’t four-peat. Or maybe Nazareth won’t four-peat. Or maybe Mt. Carmel.

Hey, I’ve got to nail one eventually. Right?