Newman and Princeton were picked by Three Rivers Athletic Conference (TRAC) coaches and media to win their respective football divisions this season in a poll organized by WRMJ.
Princeton was picked to win the Mississippi Division by everyone who participated in the poll except one opposing coach and one media member, who both picked Monmouth-Roseville.
In the Rock Division, Newman was selected unanimously by opposing coaches as the favorite in the conference race, and just one media member didn’t pick the Comets to repeat as Rock Division champions. Rockridge earned the other first-place vote in the league’s media poll.
The schedule for each team is the same as last season, just with the home and away games flipped.
In the coaches poll, all 12 head coaches in the conference participated. They were asked to rank the teams in their division, excluding themselves, 1-5. A first-place vote received five points, a second-place vote received four points, and down the line to a fifth-place vote receiving one point.
Seven local media members ranked both divisions 1-6 in the media poll. Participating outlets included WRMJ, WMOI/WRAM, Bureau County Republican, View from the West Podcast and NUICFootball.com. A first-place vote received six points in the media poll because all six teams were ranked.
Below are the poll results, followed by a preview of each team in the conference.
Preseason TRAC Rock Coaches Poll
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newman (5) | 25 |
| 2 | Rockridge | 20 |
| T3 | Erie-Prophetstown | 13 |
| T3 | Riverdale | 13 |
| 5 | Mercer County | 12 |
| 6 | Orion | 7 |
Preseason TRAC Rock Media Poll
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newman (6) | 41 |
| 2 | Rockridge (1) | 36 |
| 3 | Erie-Prophetstown | 21 |
| 4 | Riverdale | 20 |
| 5 | Mercer County | 19 |
| 6 | Orion | 10 |
Preseason TRAC Mississippi Coaches Poll
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton (4) | 24 |
| 2 | Monmouth-Roseville (2) | 22 |
| 3 | Kewanee | 17 |
| 4 | Hall | 11 |
| 5 | Sherrard | 9 |
| 6 | Mendota | 7 |
Preseason TRAC Mississippi Media Poll
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton (6) | 41 |
| 2 | Monmouth-Roseville (1) | 36 |
| 3 | Kewanee | 28 |
| 4 | Hall | 18 |
| 5 | Sherrard | 17 |
| 6 | Mendota | 7 |
Team Previews – Rock Division
Newman Central Catholic Comets
Head coach: Mike LeMay (4th season: 20-11)
2024 record: 8-3, 5-0 TRAC Rock
Playoffs: Lost to Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 28-0 in 1A second round
Newman Central Catholic enters the 2025 season as the preseason favorite by both league coaches and media to repeat as conference champions in the TRAC Rock.
The Comets went a perfect 5-0 in divisional play last year, highlighted by a 15-7 overtime win over Rockridge in Week 5 that went on to decide the conference championship. Newman also beat Mendota, Erie-Prophetstown, Orion, Mercer County, Riverdale and Kewanee in the regular season. The Comets’ two regular-season losses came in crossover play to 3A playoff qualifiers Princeton and Monmouth-Roseville.
Newman played in the 1A playoffs last year, as the program did in 2023. The Comets thumped Hope Academy 50-22 in the first round before losing to Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 28-0 in the second round. As the TRAC’s only private school, Newman will be subject to a 1.65 multiplier to its enrollment this season if it qualifies for the playoffs. The Comets would likely be right on the border of the 1A/2A line with a classification enrollment of 301.95.
On the offensive side of the ball, Newman will have to replace its top four rushers from last season. The Comets will get some help in that department from Morrison transfer Rylan Alvarado. The incoming junior rushed for 403 yards and six TDs for the Mustangs last season and was a key contributor in Morrison’s 1A state championship in boys track and field in the spring. He was part of the 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams, which both finished first in Charleston. Newman senior quarterback Evan Bushman, an honorable all-conference selection last season, is back after throwing for 958 yards, 11 TDs and five interceptions on 65-97 passing attempts in 2024. The Comets also return four offensive linemen who earned all-conference honors last year – senior guard Jacob Payne (first team), senior guard Ben Geske and junior center Matthew Murray (second team), and senior tackle Cooper Spears (honorable mention).
2024 was another prototypical year for Newman defensively, as the Comets allowed just over 16 points per game and forced 24 turnovers on the season. Standout linebacker Daniel Kelly, who racked up 125 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and four interceptions, was lost to graduation, but the Comets return Payne, a defensive lineman, and senior linebacker George Jungerman, who each earned second-team all-conference honors last season. The Comets also have junior honorable mention all-conference returners in linebacker Matthew Blackert and defensive back Renner Rosengren. Payne and Blackert each totaled nine tackles for loss last year.
Newman opens the season hosting Princeton at Roscoe Eades Stadium in Week 1.
Rockridge Rockets
Head coach: Sam Graves (10th season: 75-25)
2024 record: 8-3, 4-1 TRAC Rock
Playoffs: Lost to Farmington 14-10 in 2A second round
Rockridge has won at least one playoff game three years in a row coming into the 2025 season, and the program is three seasons removed from a quarterfinal appearance in 2022.
The Rockets finished a game behind Newman in the conference standings last year. In the regular season, Rockridge beat Sherrard, Riverdale, Erie-Prophetstown, Orion, Mercer County, Monmouth-Roseville, and Hall, and lost to Princeton and Newman.
The Rockets’ 2A postseason run opened with a 22-8 win at home over Eastland-Pearl City and ended the following week in a 14-10, rain-soaked loss at Farmington.
Rockridge junior quarterback Cullen Schwigen, who earned honorable mention all-state honors from the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association last year, is expected to be one of the top Class 2A players in the state. Schwigen was one of just three sophomores in the entire state (all eight classes plus 8-man) to earn a spot on an all-state list in 2024. He passed for a single-season school record 1,866 yards to go with 18 TDs and eight interceptions and led the Rockets in rushing with 677 yards and 14 TDs. Schwigen’s 32 total TDs set a new single-season Rockridge record. His top receiving target, senior Owen Steele, is back after reeling in 36 catches for 501 yards and seven TDs last year to be named a first-team all-conference wideout. Junior running back Thomas Sowards, an honorable mention all-conference running back, rushed for 587 yards and four TDs a year ago. Senior offensive tackle Tanner McKeag is also back after earning a second-team all-conference nod on offense in 2024.
The Rockets dominated on the defensive side of the ball in 2024, allowing just 13.2 points per game, but will have to replace a pair of graduating all-state performers in defensive lineman Jude Finch and linebacker Landon Bull. McKeag, a defensive lineman, and senior defensive back Liam Steele lead Rockridge’s defensive returners after each being named first-team all-conference defenders last year. Sowards was a second-team all-TRAC Rock linebacker, and seniors Tanner Dye (DL) and Owen Steele (DB) are back after being selected as honorable mention all-conference players on defense last season. The Rockets will also get a boost in returning senior OL/LB Ryan Lower, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 last year. Lower has started at linebacker since his freshman year at Rockridge.
Rockridge head coach Sam Graves is five wins shy of tying Rick Amy (80 wins) as the winningest football coach in school history.
The Rockets open the season hosting longtime rival Sherrard in Week 1.
Erie-Prophetstown Panthers
Head coach: Tyler Whitebread (3rd season: 8-11)
2024 record: 5-5, 2-3 TRAC Rock
Playoffs: Lost to Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin 14-6 in 2A first round
Erie-Prophetstown is coming off the program’s first playoff appearance since 2021 last season.
The Panthers were knocked out in the first round of the 2A playoffs after taking at-the-time 9-0 Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin to the wire, but falling 14-6 on the road. Erie-Prophetstown led the game 6-0 at the end of the third quarter but couldn’t hang on to spring the upset.
In the regular season, the Panthers picked up wins over Kewanee, Hall, Mercer County, Orion, and Mendota, and dropped games to Newman, Rockridge, Riverdale and Princeton.
Erie-Prophetstown will be tasked with replacing first-team all-conference RB/DB Demetree Larsen on both sides of the ball, but it brings back a solid group of returners led by senior quarterback Keagan Winckler. He threw for 623 yards, seven TDs and six interceptions on 40-81 passing, and added 600 rushing yards and eight TDs on the ground. Senior wide receiver Connor Keegan, an honorable mention all-conference wide receiver from 2024, along with classmates Max Milem and Gaven Adams, return as three of the Panthers’ top four pass catchers from last season. But, Milem suffered a preseason knee injury that looks to have his availability in question. Offensive tackle Caleb Reymer and guard Derek Naftzger, both juniors who were named second-team all-conference performers last season, are expected to anchor Erie-Prophetstown’s front five.
Reymer and Naftzger also earned second-team all-conference nods as defensive linemen last season. In total, the Panthers bring back eight defensive starters. Five of those returners were selected as all-conference defenders with Adams (LB), Winckler (DB) and Keegan (DB) being tabbed as honorable mention honorees. Naftzger was E-P’s top tackler in 2024 with 50, and he led the Panthers with eight sacks. Senior linebacker Jordae Crow made 48 tackles last season for E-P.
The Panthers open 2025 at home against Kewanee.
Riverdale Rams
Head coach: Guy Dierikx (17th season: 33-102, 10th season at Riverdale: 16-52)
2024 record: 4-5, 2-3 TRAC Rock
Playoffs: Missed
Just three years removed from having to cancel its varsity football season due to low numbers, Riverdale is looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
The Rams narrowly missed out on a postseason berth after suffering their fifth loss in a 35-32 heartbreaker to Hall in Week 8 last season. Riverdale also took losses to Kewanee, Rockridge, Mercer County and Newman. The Rams defeated Mendota, Orion, Erie-Prophetstown and Sherrard.
With a very young roster in 2024, the Rams bring a ton of returning production into the 2025 campaign, including nine offensive starters. All three of Riverdale’s running backs return – headlined by senior Caen Beckett, a first-team all-conference selection last season. He amassed 1,004 all-purpose yards and scored 11 TDs. Gaege Heinsen, another senior RB, rushed for 706 yards and eight TDs, which earned him second-team all-TRAC Rock honors. The Rams also return all five offensive linemen from a year ago, led by returning first-team all-conference guard Marcus Bennett and honorable mention all-TRAC Rock guard Jackson Fritch, both juniors. Junior wide receiver Jackson Tegeler, Riverdale’s leading pass catcher from 2024, is coming off a season where he had 11 receptions for 272 yards and three TDs.
Riverdale has six defensive starters back from last season. Tegeler, a second-team all-conference defensive back, is the Rams’ top returning defender statistically after making 80 tackles and grabbing three interceptions in 2024. A pair of defensive linemen, senior Elliot Fries and junior Jackson Fritch, were honorable mention all-conference selections last year, as was senior defensive back Landen Peterson.
The Rams start the season at home against Mendota.
Mercer County Golden Eagles
Head coach: Fred Lucas (9th season: 30-46, 1st season at Mercer County)
2024 record: 4-5, 2-3 TRAC Rock
Playoffs: Missed
Mercer County enters 2025 with a new head coach after the Aledo/Westmer/Mercer County program missed the playoffs for the first time since 1994 last year.
Fred Lucas is taking over the Golden Eagles’ program after serving as an assistant coach for Mercer County for eight seasons. Lucas is the fourth different acting head coach for Mercer County in the past four years. He has eight years of head coaching experience with stops at Roseville-Yorkwood, Westwood and United.
In 2024, Mercer County beat Sherrard, Orion, Riverdale, and Mendota, and lost to Monmouth-Roseville, Erie-Prophetstown, Newman, Rockridge and Princeton.
The Golden Eagles have six offensive starters returning from last season, including senior first-team all-conference running back Mason Gray, who rushed for 926 yards and nine TDs. He rushed for a single-game program-record 371 yards and five TDs in Mercer County’s Week 3 win over Orion last season. The Golden Eagles will get a boost on offense with senior running back Tannen Whitehall returning after missing all but the first half of the season-opener with a foot/ankle injury last year. Senior quarterback John Baldwin started all nine games last season, throwing for 1,165 yards and 10 TDs and rushing for 535 yards and seven TDs. Mercer County has four starters along the offensive line back in 2025, including first-team all-conference offensive tackle Kaiden Terrill and junior center Brady Heinrichs, who was named an honorable mention all-conference player in 2024.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Golden Eagles have six starters returning but lost their top defensive lineman and top two linebackers to graduation. Mercer County allowed 29.5 points per game last season. The Golden Eagles have two honorable mention all-conference defensive selections back in 2025: Gray (DB) and fellow senior Lucas Marston (DL).
Mercer County hosts Monmouth-Roseville in Week 1.
Orion Chargers
Head coach: Chip Filler (17th season: 94-65)
2024 record: 2-7, 0-5 TRAC Rock
Playoffs: Missed
After a year highlighted by low numbers in the program, Orion has increased its roster size from 23 to 38 as it looks to get things moving in the right direction again.
The Chargers were winless in divisional play last year and were handed losses by Monmouth-Roseville, Mercer County, Newman, Riverdale, Rockridge, Erie-Prophetstown and Kewanee. Orion beat Hall and Sherrard in 2024. The Chargers got more competitive as the year progressed, with losses by two points to Riverdale in Week 5, four points to Erie-Prophetstown in Week 7 and 10 points to Kewanee in Week 9.
For the fourth straight season, Orion’s offensive attack will be led by senior quarterback Kale Filler. Filler was the leading passer in the conference last year after throwing for over 2,000 yards for the second consecutive year. He finished with 2,203 yards, 18 TDs and seven interceptions last year, along with 202 rushing yards and four TDs, which earned him a 2A all-state honorable mention nod. Filler enters his senior season already as the career record holder at Orion in completions (399), passing attempts (727), passing yards (5,208), passing TDs (52) and total TDs (60). Senior wide receiver and returner Owen Voorhees is coming off of back-to-back high-production seasons. Last year, he caught 46 passes for 764 yards and three TDs and returned three kicks for scores. Voorhees was a first-team all-conference returner and second-team all-conference wideout in 2024. In addition to Voorhees, junior wide receiver Aaorn Mohr (27 receptions, 315 yards, two TDs) is expected to take a bigger role in the offense this season. Honorable mention all-conference senior guard Wyatt Steen returns to lead an offensive line group that has four starters back from last season. The Chargers scored 29.9 points per game in 2024, which was ranked behind only Monmouth-Roseville, Princeton and Rockridge in the conference.
The main issue for Orion last season came on the defensive end, where it allowed 337 points (37.4 per game) and gave up 40+ points four times. The Chargers were extremely young in 2024 and bring back eight defensive starters led by senior defensive back Max Larson, a second-team all-conference selection last year. Other all-conference returners on defense include senior DL Wyatt Steen and senior LB Carson Peck, both honorable mention honorees.
Orion kicks off 2025 at home against Hall.
Team Previews – Mississippi Division
Princeton Tigers
Head coach: Ryan Pearson (14th season: 103-39, 9th season at Princeton: 68-19)
2024 record: 10-2, 4-1 TRAC Mississippi
Playoffs: Lost to Montini 24-7 in 3A quarterfinals
Princeton made its fifth consecutive trip to the 3A quarterfinals last season before being knocked out by the eventual state champions.
The Tigers’ deep postseason streak started in 2019 with an appearance in the 3A semifinals. Since then, Princeton has seen its season end in the quarterfinals. Over the past five seasons, it has taken Byron, IC Catholic (twice) and Montini (twice) to eliminate Princeton.
In 2024, Princeton won 10+ games for the fifth straight full season with wins in the regular season coming over Newman, Rockridge, Sherrard, Kewanee, Hall, Mendota, Mercer County and Erie-Prophetstown. The Tigers missed out on a conference championship by losing to Monmouth-Roseville 31-3 in Week 5.
Princeton’s postseason run began with wins over Oregon and King in the first and second rounds and came to an end with a loss to Montini in the quarterfinals.
The Tigers have lost a Division I-level player each of the last three years, with Teegan Davis (Iowa), Bennett Williams (Air Force), and now Noah LaPorte (Northwestern) graduating in 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively. The program looks primed to be able to withstand another loss of a high-impact senior group with plenty of talent returning. Senior running back Casey Etheridge, a two-time first-team all-conference player and honorable mention 3A all-stater in 2024, rushed for 1,706 yards and 25 TDs last season. He had eight 100+ yard games in 2024. Etheridge is projected to be joined in the backfield by senior fullback Common Green, who rushed for 265 yards and three TDs. In addition to LaPorte, the Tigers will need to replace their quarterback and three all-conference offensive lineman, though Princeton does return a pair of all-conference members of their front five with seniors Rhett Pearson (first-team all-conference center) and Owen Hartman (honorable mention all-conference offensive tackle).
Princeton allowed its opponents to score just 14.5 points per game last season and five all-conference level players are returning on that side of the ball. Green, a first-team all-conference linebacker in 2024, is the top tackler back for the Tigers. He made 79 tackles last year and racked up 10.5 tackles for loss. Pearson and Hartman are expected to anchor the defensive line for Princeton after each earned second-team all-conference nods a year ago. Etheridge (LB) and Gavin Lanham (DB) were honorable mention all-conference selections on defense last season.
The Tigers kick off the 2025 season at Newman.
Monmouth-Roseville Titans
Head coach: Jeremy Adolphson (25th season: 103-126, 15th season at Monmouth-Roseville: 64-68)
2024 record: 8-2, 5-0 TRAC Mississippi
Playoffs: Lost to Paxton-Buckley-Loda 22-20 in 3A first round
Monmouth-Roseville is coming off its fourth straight playoff appearance and first-ever outright football conference championship in 2025.
The Titans’ 31-3 win over Princeton in Week 5 catapulted them to the TRAC Mississippi championship last season. Monmouth-Roseville also defeated Mercer County, Orion, Kewanee, Mendota, Sherrard Hall and Newman in the regular season. The Titans’ lone regular-season loss came to Rockridge.
Monmouth-Roseville’s season ended with a final-minute loss to Paxton-Buckley-Loda in the first round of the 3A playoffs.
The Titans lost seven offensive starters from last year, including 3A all-state running back Payton Thompson, but Monmouth-Roseville returns three running backs who saw significant time in 2024. Senior Nick Huston, who was a second-team all-conference running back last year, rushed for 415 yards and seven TDs. Senior Andrew Way (311 yards and five TDs) and junior Landon Montroy (461 yards and six TDs) are also expected to contribute in the backfield. Monmouth-Roseville’s offensive line will be anchored by a pair of first-team all-conference returners – senior offensive tackle Brody Dodd and senior guard Landyn Angelo.
Monmouth-Roseville brings back seven starters on a defensive unit that allowed just 15 points per game last year. Huston (DL) and Way (LB) were both selected as first-team all-conference defenders in 2024. Huston made 17.5 tackles for loss and racked up nine sacks, while Way was the Titans’ leading tackler with 74 to go with 12 tackles for loss. Angelo, a defensive lineman, was a second-team all-conference performer after making 26 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
The Titans open the season on the road at Mercer County.
Kewanee Boilermakers
Head coach: Matt Taylor (3rd season: 13-7)
2024 record: 5-5, 3-2 TRAC Mississippi
Playoffs: Lost to Richland County 41-14 in 4A first round
Kewanee is looking to return to the playoffs after back-to-back trips to the 4A postseason in head coach Matt Taylor’s first two seasons leading the program.
The Boilermakers were knocked out in the first round of the postseason by Richland County.
In the regular season, Kewanee picked up wins over Riverdale, Hall, Mendota, Sherrard and Orion, while losing to Erie-Prophetstown, Monmouth-Roseville, Princeton and Newman. The Boilermakers beat every non-playoff qualifier they played against and lost to every postseason team they faced.
Kewanee brings five starters back on offense, headlined by sophomore running back Ace LaFollette. LaFollette earned second-team all-conference honors as a freshman in 2024 after rushing for 545 yards and seven TDs and 11 passes for 203 yards and three TDs. Another notable returner for the Boilermakers is junior offensive lineman Kanaan Griffin, who was an honorable mention all-conference offensive tackle last season. Kewanee lost its top running back (Alex Duarte – career TD record holder at Kewanee) and wide receiver to graduation, both first-team all-conference players. The Boilers will also need to replace their quarterback and two all-conference offensive linemen.
The Boilermakers also have five starters returning on defense. Kewanee’s only all-conference defender returning is senior defensive lineman Aireis Simmons, an honorable mention selection. Head coach Matt Taylor told WRMJ this will be the youngest team in his three years leading the program, but the group has good team athleticism.
Kewanee hits the road to play Erie-Prophetstown in Week 1.
Hall Red Devils
Head coach: Nick Sterling (1st season)
2024 record: 2-7, 1-4 TRAC Mississippi
Playoffs: Missed
Hall comes into the 2025 season with a new head coach for the third consecutive season, looking to improve upon a 2-7 record last season. Overall, Nick Sterling is the fourth different head coach in the past five seasons at Hall. He was previously an assistant coach for Hall.
The Red Devils’ two wins last year came over Mendota and Riverdale. Hall lost to Orion, Erie-Prophetstown, Sherrard, Kewanee, Princeton, Monmouth-Roseville and Rockridge.
Offensively, Hall brings back multiple impact skill position players, led by senior running back Aiden Redcliff. He earned second-team all-conference honors in 2024 after being named an honorable mention all-conference player in 2023 and is entering his third year as a starter in the Red Devils’ backfield. Fellow senior running back/wide receiver Braden Curran is a four-year varsity starter for Hall and was named an honorable mention all-conference offensive player last year. The Red Devils also bring back quarterback Dylan Glynn, a senior.
Hall struggled defensively last year, allowing 34.6 points per game. Head coach Nick Sterling has indicated the Red Devils have increased participation numbers this year and will look to build around Redcliff (LB) and Curran (DB) on defense as well. The senior tandem were both second-team all-conference defenders in 2024. Jacob Mongan (senior DL) is another name the Red Devils are hoping to get a lot out of as a four-year starter up front.
Hall begins the season at Orion.
Sherrard Tigers
Head coach: Dan McGuire (11th season: 66-32, 1st season at Sherrard)
2024 record: 2-7, 2-3 TRAC Mississippi
Playoffs: Missed
New Sherrard head coach Dan McGuire is taking over the Tigers’ football program in 2025, 25 years after he last coached high school football as the head coach at Moline. He was hired in May after former Sherrard head coach Brandon Johnston resigned in April.
The Tigers were bitten by the injury bug last year, with as many as five two-way starters out at one time in different parts of the season.
Sherrard will be led on both sides of the ball by returning honorable mention 3A all-state senior QB/DB Carter Brown. Brown earned the Tigers’ first all-state football selection in 15 years by throwing for 793 yards and five TDs and rushing for 490 yards and six TDs. Sherrard brings back a majority of its offensive lineup, with leading receiver Harrison Curry (237 yards and 2 TDs) and six offensive linemen who spent time in the starting lineup last year. Four of those linemen are seniors – Clayton Dixon, Jonathan Weakley, Sam Steckel and Dawson Liggett.
Brown, a first-team all-conference defensive back last year, and Dixon, who’s spent each season since his freshman year getting time in the starting lineup, are key returners. Steckel (LB), Emery Partlow (DB) and Aydin Begeske (DL), all seniors, are also among the top returning tacklers for Sherrard. The Tigers added three new seniors to their roster in 2025, Cooper Thomas (RB/LB), Gavin Burton (RB/LB) and Wes Easley (RB/DB), which brings Sherrard’s senior class to 13 players. All three senior newcomers are expected to be key contributors.
The Tigers play at Rockridge in Week 1.
Mendota Trojans
Head coach: Jim Eustice (16th season: 59-79, 1st season at Mendota)
2024 record: 0-9, 0-5 TRAC Mississippi
Playoffs: Missed
Mendota is the fourth and final team in the TRAC to have a new head coach take over.
Former St. Bede head coach Jim Eustice has made the move to Mendota after spending the past 10 seasons at St. Bede, who will look to turn things around for the Trojans after a tough past decade. Over the past 10 years, the Mendota football program has a record of 14-71 with a pair of winless seasons, four one-win seasons, and one playoff appearance.
Last year, The Trojans dropped games to Riverdale, Newman, Hall, Monmouth-Roseville, Sherrard, Kewanee, Princeton, Erie-Prophetstown and Mercer County. Mendota was outscored by opponents 113-409, an avarege of 44.7-13.2 per game.
The Trojans will have to replace their lone first-team all-conference representative from last season, Braiden Freemean (WR), who graduated. Mendota has two all-conference players back from 2024. Both all-conference selections came on the defensive end with senior linebacker Wyatt Ossman (second-team all-conference) and junior defensive back Cam Wasmer (honorable mention all-conference).
Mendota begins the season playing at Riverdale.
WRMJ’s coverage of the TRAC is presented by:
- Midwest Bank, with locations that include Aledo, Andalusia, Monmouth, and Moline
- Local COUNTRY Financial representatives Tracy Bigham, Jason Potter, and John Waugh in Aledo, Brent Bigham in Edgington, and Julie Hessler in Orion.
- Breedlove’s Sporting Goods in Kewanee