The 2016 IHSA football schedules have been released and few teams face a more daunting schedule early in the season than Maine South.
MAINE SOUTH
The perennial CSL South champs finished last year at 8-3 and begin this year with a difficult start to the schedule, opening at home against the Class 6A state champs, Montini (14-0).
It doesn’t get any easier the next game as the go on the road to take on the defending Class 8A state champions, Loyola (14-0). That is followed by another difficult road game at Barrington (9-2) before a home game against a fourth straight playoff team in Conant (6-4).
CSL South play opens against new conference foe Niles North (7-5) at home before a trip to Glenbrook South (4-5).
Home games against New Trier (9-2) and Niles West (2-7) follow before a season-ending game at Evanston (6-4), the seventh playoff opponent they face.
NOTRE DAME
The Dons are coming off an impressive 8-1 season against a similarly difficult slate, yet lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Their redemption tour this year begins with a fellow 8-1 team who lost in the first round of the playoffs last year, Thornton. That is followed by a game against East Suburban Catholic foe Benet (8-3). Both games are on the road.
A home game against Nazareth (12-2), the reigning Class 5A state champ, is followed by a trip to Joliet Catholic (10-2), which lost to the Roadrunners in the quarterfinals.
After that gauntlet of difficult games, the schedule eases a bit with a home game against St. Patrick (3-6), a trip to Carmel (3-6) and a home game against Marian Catholic (1-8).
The season comes to an end with a home game against Marian Central Catholic (8-3) and a trip to St. Viator (1-8).
NILES WEST
The Wolves begin their season with a home game against Buffalo Grove (1-8) before road games at Lane (4-5) and Schaumburg (5-5). A home game against Elk Grove (2-7) rounds out a very manageable nonconference slate.
Conference play opens with a home game against Glenbrook South before a trip to Evanston. Their rival game against Niles North follows at home with Maine South on the road next. The regular season concludes with a home game against New Trier.
MAINE EAST
The Blue Demons (0-9) will look back into the win column this year with an opening game at Schurz (7-2) before a home game against Ridgewood (7-3). A trip to Rolling Meadows (6-4) ensues and their final game before CSL North play is against Hoffman Estates at home (4-5).
Conference play opens with a home game against rival Maine West (3-6) and a third straight game at home is against Glenbrook North (8-2). Back-to-back road games are next against Vernon Hills (6-4) and Highland Park (3-6) before a closing game against Deerfield (7-4) at home.