FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[NCC2010]

North Central announced their captains for the upcoming season:

Cortez Jones (Senior)
Jack Rummell (5th year)
Ethan Groark (5th year)
Matt Janiak (Junior)

I wasn't aware that Groark had taken a medical redshirt back in 2024 so glad to see he gets to play another season.

The big bummer is Donny McNeal tore his Achilles this offseason and will miss the '26 season.
EDIT: per a recent post on IG, sounds like he could come back late October/early November. Not sure if he will or will choose to medical redshirt.

Offense returns 4 starters:
QB Garret Wilson (RS SO)
WR Jack Rummell (5th yr)
LT Tyson Cramer (SR)
RT Cortez Jones (SR)

My guess at the other 7 starters (without knowing any transfers):
LG Dennis Dracup (SO)
RG Anil Rampersaud (SO)
Center ?
RB Jordan Williams (SR)
TE Dawson Trebolo (SR)
WR David Ballard III (SO)
WR Jake Vitel (SO)

Defense returns 6 starters:
DE Bobby Medina (SR)
DT Maverick Ohle (RS JR)
LB Matt Janiak (JR)
OLB Ethan Groark (5th yr)
Safety Brayden Garrigan (SR)
Safety Kyler Green (SR)

My guess at the other 5 starters:
DE Tucker Johnson (JR) / Troy Kashul (SO)
DT Graham Wight (SR)
LB Philip Carlton Jr. (SR)
CB Kaden Hartnett (SR)
CB Kenny Rutherford (SR)

[GusD]

The loss of McNeal is a HUGE one for the Cardinals. He undoubtedly would have been the favorite to lead the conference rushing as he did last year, raking up more than twice as many yards as the second place finisher.

As far as NCC's starter at RB this year it seems like Sean Allen would merit serious consideration. Last season he gained 546 yards, averaging 5.1 YPC, and scored 8 TDs.
Very solid contributor Jordan Williams had  345 yards, averaging 4.8 YPC, with 2 TDs.

[NCC2010]

The loss of McNeal is a HUGE one for the Cardinals. He undoubtedly would have been the favorite to lead the conference rushing as he did last year, raking up more than twice as many yards as the second place finisher.

As far as NCC's starter at RB this year it seems like Sean Allen would merit serious consideration. Last season he gained 546 yards, averaging 5.1 YPC, and scored 8 TDs.
Very solid contributor Jordan Williams had  345 yards, averaging 4.8 YPC, with 2 TDs.

I believe Allen has decided to move on (already graduated) even though he did have 1 more year of eligibility due to red shirting at Illinois State. I could be wrong though.

[GusD]

Well, there's probably at least as much chance that you're right as opposed to wrong  .  And, if Allen has indeed left the nest, Williams would certainly seem next in line to assume the starting RB position. I'd guess Zeb Rashid (432 yards, 7.0 YPC, 4 TDs) would likely slot in as the #2 RB.

[D3fanboy]

off-season injuries are the absolute worst, and that one is a doozy. Sucks for McNeal, he was a dynamic player

[NCC2010]

Preseason Top 25 poll posted https://www.d3football.com/top25/2026/preseason

1v2 and 3v5 week 1, pretty awesome start to the season!

[D3fanboy]

Preseason Top 25 poll posted https://www.d3football.com/top25/2026/preseason

1v2 and 3v5 week 1, pretty awesome start to the season!

If only one of those would move to a night game on a hot Labor Day weekend.  What a schedule!

[GusD]

Preseason Top 25 poll posted https://www.d3football.com/top25/2026/preseason

1v2 and 3v5 week 1, pretty awesome start to the season!

If only one of those would move to a night game on a hot Labor Day weekend.  What a schedule!

With the high degree of probability of temps minimally being in the area of 75, and the fairly high chance of 90 degree weather, the first two games of each season would ideally be scheduled at night.

With specific regard to early season games at NCC in Naperville, I can personally attest to the fact that they can be brutally sizzling even on a 75-80 degree day let alone one with even higher temps. Beyond high temps alone, humidity can, of course, play a role. And this is compounded by the fact that the home stands at NCC face WEST, and there is absolutely no shade anywhere near the seating area. Sit there, facing directly into the sun, for 2 and a half or 3 hours even on a 75-80 degree day and hat or no hat, your brain is going to feel like it has just emerged from an oven and is ready to explode. And this is to say nothing about the danger the players face playing in oppressive conditions.

However, when the visiting team faces a 7 hour bus ride home, night games are basically impractical. And not a lot of D3 schools have the financial wherewithal to pay for hotel rooms for an entire football team and its coaching staff. So there often isn't much of a realistic chance to offer players and fans some relief when it comes to early season games, especially if they might be great early season non-conference matchups like Wheaton/Mount and NCC/Bethel. ☹️

[GusD]

Preseason Top 25 poll posted https://www.d3football.com/top25/2026/preseason

1v2 and 3v5 week 1, pretty awesome start to the season!

I wonder how much the poll voters considered NCC's loss of Donovan McNeal prior to their voting the Cardinals the pre-season #1? 🤔 🤗