Scrimmages are over. From this point forward, everything counts. The Little Illini Conference football season kicks off this weekend with eight games around the state. Let’s get you set for the excitement with our Week 1 Primer.
THE LINEUP
Friday, Aug. 29
North Vermillion, Ind. at Paris, 6:30 p.m.
Fisher at #9 1AÂ Casey-Westfield, 7:00 p.m.
Trenton Wesclin at Marshall, 7:00 p.m.
Mt. Carmel at Du Quoin, 7:00 p.m.
Bethalto Civic Memorial at Newton, 7:00 p.m.
Taylorville at Olney, 7:00 p.m.
Charleston at Robinson, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Lawrenceville at #14 3A Kankakee Bishop McNamara, 1:00 p.m.
All times CST.
EARLY HYPE
Every team in the league has something to be excited about. Three teams (league champion Olney, Casey-Westfield, and Mt. Carmel) made the playoffs last year, and expect to do so again… Robinson and Newton both hope strong finishes last year carry over to 2025… Paris is hoping for better fortune after dropping five games by a total of 17 points… Marshall hopes to continue the upward trajectory of the program… Lawrenceville hopes to bounce back after a winless season in 2024.
NON-CONFERENCE STARTUPS
Each team in the Little Illini plays two non-conference games before league play begins in Week 3. Last year, the league was a collective 5-11 in those games against outside competition… Perhaps the biggest Week 1 game is Mt. Carmel (5-5 last year) at Du Quoin (6-4), matching schools with a combined record of three state titles, 78 playoff appearances, and 199 post-season games.
ALL EYES ON THEM
The LIC sports two returning all-staters, Olney lineman Casey Thomann (6-foot-7, 315 pounds), and 6-3 Casey-Westfield running back Luke Karras.
BIG NUMBERS
There is plenty of big-number returning talent around the league. Olney QB Gavyn Cothern is a legitimate double threat. He rushed for 1,566 yards and 19 touchdowns, while throwing for 1,031 yards and 14 touchdowns… Casey-Westfield’s RB Karras rushed for 1,176 yards and 15 touchdowns, while teammate QB Nolan Clement threw for 1,467 yards and 19 TD’s… Robinson QB Reese Johnson had a big year over the top, with 1, 785 yards and 21 TD passes… Newton counters with QB Hayden Mulvey, who threw for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore… Mt. Carmel RBÂ Elliott Acree rushed for 1,092 yards, and now has over 1,500 in two varsity seasons… Robinson WR A.J. Knoblett caught 30 passes and scored nine times… 6-foot-4 Mt. Carmel TE Jack Webb made 12 catches in an offense which did not throw often.
NEW COACH IN ROBINSON
Robinson has a new head coach, but he is certainly no stranger to the Little Illini Conference. Matt Music coached at Olney from 2011-22compiling a 62-52 record over 12 years. He guided the Tigers to eight playoff appearances and two divisional titles in LIC play.
