EDGYTIM.com's 2016 Prediction South Suburban Blue Conference

+Lemont

*TF South

*Oak Forest

*Bremen

Tinley Park

Hillcrest

TF North

+denotes predicted 2016 conference champion

*denotes IHSA state playoff projected qualifier

EDGYTIM.com's South Suburban Blue Conference thoughts

The South Suburban Blue remains in tact for 2016 and this conference remains one of the better Class 6A sized conferences in Illinois. Look at the overall playoff records and overall success in non conference play and you soon begin to realize that the South Suburban Blue is just a very strong overall conference.

Lemont gets the nod for winning the conference in 2016. The Indians and head coach Bret Kooi will look to rebound from a rare early state playoff exit last season. Lemont welcomes back 15 starters (7 offense/8 defense) and the Indians also have plenty od talent and firepower. Senior QB Spencer Nagel leads the offense for the second straight year. Senior TE Logan Christopherson (Missouri) is a big time target and the remaining offensive skills have experience. Defensively Lemont will also bring back a ton of experience. Senior DE Jordan Brown (Air Force) is a force whether he's playing inside or outside and expect Brown to also pull double duty this fall. Lemont will also be strong be strong in the back seven including 3 starters back in the Indians secondary. Biggest issue for Lemont heading into the season? The overall depth/size on the offensive line could be a potential issue all season.

Oak Forest and veteran head coach Brian McDonough remains one of the top coaches in the South suburbs. McDonough, who fought and defeated cancer several years back will need to reload quite a bit this fall. The Bengals graduated one of it's better classes this past spring.

TF South head coach Tom Padjen enters his 40th season at the helm and Padjen has been able to maintain a high level of success in his tenure. The Rebels welcome back 11 starters (5 offense 6 defense) and TF South also has some talent on the roster again this fall. Senior QB Reis Padjen is again under center fore the Rebels. Also keep an eye on senior FB/DE Nate Sanders along with three starting offensive linemen backin OG Devin Thompson, senior OL Jeremy Williams and senior OT Jaylen Gales. The Rebels defense is led by three starters on the defensive line plus an experienced secondary. TF South also has a very strong underclassmen group to watch as well this season.

Tinley Park and head coach Nick Johnston will also be looking to replace 18 graduated starters from a season ago. The Titans however looked pretty impressive this summer led by junior QB Ryan Zientara and also seemed to have decent number of skills kids.

While Tinley Park will lose 18 starters from a season ago, that's the exact oppose issue over at Bremen for head coach Dan Stell this season. The Braves welcome back 19 starters including bring back the Braves entire starting 11 on offense. Keep an eye on the junior class in particular including junior OL Chris Clark, junior and junior QB/WR/S Frank Studnicka. The Braves also have a ton of speed on both sides of the football. This Bremen team has the potential to be a nice early season sleeper pick for 2016.

TF North and head coach Rich Watson has a good mix of senior leadership and an influx of junior class talent ready to make a mark this fall. The Meteors welcome back 7 starters (3 offense/4 defense). Keep an eye on junior QB/ATH Rayshaun Watson (6-foot-0, 180 pounds) this season for the Meteors.

They Said It! Quotes from Those Around the South Suburban Blue

"Lemont is still the team to beat. They played a ton of underclassmen last year."

"I always like playing Oak Forest. They just play hard nosed football."

"Tinley Park gave us trouble last year I just don't know how much they have back."

"Bremen was really young last year and they always have talent."

"Hillcrest looked like they are starting to turn it around."

"Tom and Bob Padjen are some of the classiest coaches I know. I hope they never retire."

"TF North has some decent kids but I don't think they have much numbers."

Preseason Conference MVP?

Lemont senior QB Spencer Nagel. Nagel had a very solid junior season in 2015 and I fully expect even more from him as a senior. Nagel has worked hard this winter and his overall mechanics and football/quarterbacking skills have really increased in a big, big way. If the Indians are planning to make yet another deep post-season run in 2016 I see Nagel having a big season.

Sleeper Player to Watch?

TF South senior quarterback Reis Padjen. Padjen isn't the biggest or most athletic kid in the conference, heck he's not the most athletic kid on the Rebels roster for that matter. Padjen, the son of TF South assistant coach Bob Padjen is simply a player who just makes plays and does everything he can to lead his team to a win. If the Rebels are to get back into the state playoffs and challenge for the SS Blue title, the Rebels will need a big season from Reis Padjen.

Sleeper Team to Watch?

Hillcrest. I know I name the Hawks the sleeper team every year. Yet all I know is that Hillcrest is never in short supply when it comes to athletic talent.The Hawks got off to a stunning 4-0 start last season, that is until the brunt of the South Suburban Blue slate kicked in and the Hawks wound up 4-5. Head Coach Marquice Cole is an alum who is starting to get the kids back into football which is a good thing. It might take another season or two but someday soon the Hawks are going to shock a lot of people.

Toughest Overall Schedule?

Lemont. I give the Indians the slight nod here over TF North as having the toughest slate in the conference. Lemont, who for years drew criticism for it's somewhat "lighter" non-conference scheduling is no question scheduling "up". The Indians open up at Richards then take on Belleville West at Milliken University in Decatur. Lemont also gets a good crossover test in Reavis. TF North? The Meteors open up at Shepard and then host DeLaSalle. The Meteors also finish the regular season at Oak Forest, host rival TF South then play at Lemont. Ouch!

Top 2016 Conference Games?

TF South @ Oak Forest. September 16th -Great early conference measuring stick game here.

Lemont at Oak Forest. September 23rd - Potential conference title game perhaps?

Tinley Park @ Bremen. September 30th - POtential must win for one or both team?

Wanna talk more about this conference? Make sure to check out and talk about the South Suburban Blue conference on the EDGY Nation Premium forum after each Conference Call and let us know your thoughts on this conference race!