South Seven Conference and other football capsules

The Althoff Crusaders and Cahokia Comanches should be among the top teams in the South Seven Conference while the Mater Dei Knights, Madison Trojans and Granite City Warriors will all be among the top independent programs in southern Illinois during the 2018 season.

Following is a closer look at these teams heading into the start of the regular season on Friday and Saturday.

Note: Coaching records are for current teams only.

Althoff Crusaders

Coach: Ken Turner (75-37, 11th season)

2017 record: 9-2, 4-1 In South 7 Conference

Playoffs: Lost to Rochester 41-23 in second round of Class 4A playoffs

2018 opener: Aug. 24 vs. Elmhurst Immaculate Conception at Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, 7:15 p.m.

Key Players returning: WR: Hayes Taylor (QB in ‘17, 33 rushes, 254 yards, 3 TD’s); LB: Nolan Schmidt (65 tackles, 46 solos);

Cahokia Comanches

Coach: John Clay (7-11, 3rd season)

2017 record: 3-6, 2-3 in South 7 Conference

2018 opener: Aug.. 24 at Collinsville, 7 p.m.

Key players returning: QB: Malik Shaw (52-of-101 for 799 yards, 7 TD’s); RB: Vincent Perry,

Other Teams

Dupo Tigers

Coach: Joseph Day (1st year)

2017 record: 0-9

2018 opener: Aug. 24, Wesclin, 7 p.m.

Key Players returning: QB: Tyler Kyle (480 yards passing, 2 TD’s, 212 yards rushing, 5 TD’s); RB: Malik Calhoun (279 yards rushing, RB: Kaleb Chism (261 yards, 1 TD)

Granite City Warriors

Coach: Brad Hasquin (1st year)

2017 record: (2-7, 0-7 in Southwestern Conference)

2018 opener: Aug. 24 at Jersey, 7 p.m.

Key players returning: QB: Freddy Edwards (13 of 19, 301 yards, 7 TD’s; 45 rushes, 431 yards, 7 TD’s); RB: Jerry Watson (159 caries, 1,012 yrs, 7 TD’s: , 21 receptions, 352 yards, 2 TD’s); LB: Logan Gordon (96 tackles, 84 solos)

Madison Trojans

Coach: Mike Hill (6-4, 2nd season)

2017 record: 6-4

Playoffs: The Trojans lost to Carrllton 36-34 in a first round Cl;ass 1A GAME)

2018 opener: Aug. 25, St. Catharines, Canada, 2 p.m,

Key players returning: WR: Malcom Conway (17 receptions, 455 yards, 5 TD’;s); RB: Alphonso Rice (54 attempts, 354 yards, 5 D’s); LB: Kyle Conway (110 tackles, 75 solos)

Mater Dei Knights

Coach: Jim Stiebel (64-35, 10th season)

2017 record 2-7

2018 opener: Aug. 24 at Effingham, 7 p.m.

Key Players returning: QB: Reed Braundmeier (361 yards passing, 3 TD’s); WR-QB: Travis Jasper (534 yards passing, 6 TD’s); RB-LB: Logan Ratermann (204 yards, 4 TD’s); LB: Nic Seelhoefer (80 tackles)