CHICAGO — Marist High School released its 2026 football schedule on Friday. The RedHawks open at home against Simeon on Aug. 21. The real story is the road. Five away games form a gauntlet that will decide their IHSA playoff fate.
The schedule leak reveals a brutal stretch. Marist must navigate trips to Mount Carmel, Brother Rice, Loyola Academy, St. Rita and Homewood-Flossmoor. That is not travel. That is a minefield.
Week 1 scores around Springfield confirm the season is underway. Hillsboro beat Pana on the road for the first time since 2009. Springfield High lost a shutout to Cahokia. Normal West claimed a ranked win over Chatham Glenwood. The IHSA football scores board is live. Marist’s path is far steeper.
The Five Games That Matter
Game 1 — Week 3 at Mount Carmel (Sept. 11)
Marist hasn’t won at Mount Carmel since 2019. The Caravan are defending CCL Blue champions. Their home crowd is the loudest in the state. A win here secures a top-four seed in Class 7A. Marist’s offensive line must neutralize a 3-4 blitz package. Establish the run. Control the clock.
Game 2 — Week 5 at Brother Rice (Sept. 25)
Artificial turf gets slick in the rain. Brother Rice forces turnovers in crucial moments. This game decides the CCL Blue title. Marist’s secondary faces a deep passing attack. Corners must stay disciplined. One lapse ends the drive.
Game 3 — Week 6 at Loyola Academy (Oct. 2)
Non-conference. Still counts for playoff points. Loyola averages over 300 rushing yards per game. Marist’s front seven must stop the run. A win here boosts IHSA playoff point totals significantly. Top-two seed potential.
Game 4 — Week 7 at St. Rita (Oct. 9)
Homecoming atmosphere. Electric. St. Rita’s defensive line is aggressive. Blitz from every angle. Marist’s quarterback needs quick reads. Short passing game. No time for deep drops.
Game 5 — Week 9 at Homewood-Flossmoor (Oct. 23)
Regular-season finale. H-F is a Class 8A playoff regular. Their defense features Division I prospects. Marist’s special teams must avoid short fields. H-F has returned two punts for touchdowns this season. One mistake changes the game.
| Opponent | Week | Date | Playoff Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Carmel | 3 | Sept. 11 | Top-4 seed in 7A |
| Brother Rice | 5 | Sept. 25 | CCL Blue title |
| Loyola Academy | 6 | Oct. 2 | Top-2 seed potential |
| St. Rita | 7 | Oct. 9 | Momentum into final weeks |
| H-F | 9 | Oct. 23 | Home playoff game vs. road trip |
The math is simple. Win three of five road games. Marist is in excellent playoff shape. Win fewer. They are on the bubble, needing help from other teams.
Turnovers will decide this. Marist must force at least two per game. Protect the football. Depth will be tested. Bench players must step up. Time of possession is critical. Long drives keep opposing offenses on the sidelines.
Illinois lifted the curtain on the football season with a strong slate of matchups this weekend. The Game Night Guide from Muddy River Sports highlights the statewide action. Springfield area Week 1 scores are already in. Marist’s season begins at home. The road awaits.
The RedHawks have the talent. They need heart and execution. Five games. Five battles. The playoff picture will be clear by late October.
Can Marist win at least three of these five road games? The answer defines their season.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What are the five brutal road games in Marist’s 2026 schedule?
- A: Marist faces away games against Mount Carmel (Sept. 11), Brother Rice (Sept. 25), Loyola Academy (Oct. 2), St. Rita, and Homewood-Flossmoor. These matchups are critical for their IHSA playoff seeding.
- Q: How do these road games affect Marist’s IHSA playoff chances?
- A: A strong performance in these away games, especially against CCL Blue rivals, secures a top-four seed in Class 7A and builds crucial playoff points for a favorable postseason bracket.
- Q: What challenges does Marist face at Mount Carmel?
- A: Marist hasn’t won at Mount Carmel since 2019. The Caravan’s 3-4 blitz package and loud home crowd demand Marist establish the run and control the clock to neutralize the pressure.
Extended Reading
For live IHSA football scores and updates, follow @MaristFootball on Twitter. Local coverage is available via the Springfield State Journal-Register and Muddy River Sports. The full 2026 schedule was published by Patch.com for Beverly-MtGreenwood. All sources confirm the same reality: Marist’s road to the playoffs runs through five hostile stadiums.