2009 CPS Illini-Heartland Conference Preview

Darnell Pearson (6-1, 171lbs, sr, WR) of Clark is one of the top players in the Illini-Heartland Conference (scout.com photo)

The Illini-Heartland Conference Preview is the first of a series of football conference previews that I will do for the CPS. I will probably only review Illini-conferences because those are the only ones CPS schools are eligible for the state playoffs. New for 2009 is a realignment of the Illini conferences. Last year, teams in the Heartland Conference were: Manley, Harlan, Brooks, Phillips, Crane, and Clark. This year the conference will include Brooks, Clark, Crane, Hope, Fenger, and Orr.

Team Outlooks

Brooks
Brooks will have a difficult time finding a conference win this year. Last year they were 2-6 with losses to Hubbard 58-0 and Clark 42-0. Their only two wins came against Crane 7-6 and a win less Phillips team 2-0.

Clark
Clark,has to be one of the favorites this year based on their returning offensive firepower from last year. Quarterback Dexter Beverly returns with his wide receiver duo of Erlzo Singleton and Darnell Pearson. Pearson (6-0; 170) and Singleton form one of the city's top wide receiver duo. Also look out for 6-2, 288lb lineman Brandon Robinson.

Crane
Crane is coming off of  back to back 1-8 seasons and maybe headed towards another comparable season record. Their non-conference schedule includes a non-conference week 3 match up against suburban Rich East in week 3. Crane returns senior Willie Tayler.

Tyshaun Beane (jr- RB) will give speed to Fenger at the Running Back position.

Fenger
Fenger holds the distinction of one of the few CPS schools to have beaten a suburban school last year when it beat Seton Academy from South Holland in week 2 last year. But don't expect a repeat this year when they play non-conference games versus Argo of Summit in week 1 and Leo from the Chicago Catholic League in week 2. But after those two games, Fenger should be competitive based on numbers alone. Fenger has one fo the largest rosters in the conference. The key for Fenger will be to find a replacement for star QB Kirkland Brinker. Brinker passed for 1136 yards last year for the Titans - while also qualifying for state sectionals in wrestling. Brinker was also one of the city's top 400 meter runners last year.  Brinker will play football this fall for Joliet Junior College. Fenger returns speedy running back Tyshaun Beane, one of the fastest running backs in the city.

Hope
The Eagles are new to the Illini conference after winning the Chicago Great Lakes Conference last year. But don't expect Hope to be a cake walk. Last year's 7-3 record was not a fluke. They shut out Whitney Young from the Illini Conference by a score of 14-0 record and played CPS runner up Hubbard very competitively in a 17-0 loss.

Orr
Orr is also new to the Illini conference after winning the Chicago Second City Conference. You gotta give Orr some credit for playing a tough non-conference record. This year they play Oak Forest and Wauconda.

Neilski's 2009 Illini Heartland Conference Predictions
1. Clark
2. Fenger
3. Hope
4. Crane
5. Orr
6. Brooks

Some Top Conference Players
Darnell Pearson, Clark (WR, sr)
Earlzo Singleton, Clark (WR, sr)
Tyshaun Beane, Fenger (RB, jr)
Dexter Beverly, Clark (QB, sr)
Willie Tayler, Crane (lineman)
Brandon Robinson, Clark (6-2, 288lbs, sr)
Rodney Loyd , Fenger (WR, sr)

Comments

[Publisher]

I got a couple of emails about this Illini-Heartland Preview:

email #1

Hey CPSfan.com,
I agree with you on the top teams from the Illini Heartland conference and I agree with you guys on the top players from the Illini heartland conference.The top player in the Illini Heartland conference is Clark WR Earlzo Singleton (5'9" 155),being recruited by 14 D-1 schools and the next best is Clark WR Darnell Pearson (6'0" 167).These 2 are probably the best duo in the city.I totally agree with you on this.

Email #2

CPSfan.com,
The Top 5 players in the CPS:
Laken Tomlinson(OL-Lane Tech)

Louis Pasat-Trinca(DE-Lane Tech)

Daron Brown(QB/WR-Morgan Park)

Earlzo Singleton(WR-Clark H.S.)

Matthew Mosely(DE-Morgan Park)

-- Neil Hernandez
Publisher
www.CPSfan.com

[missing]

Thaddeus Scott should be in the top five.

[more likely d2]

Thaddeus Scott is a really good HIGH SCHOOL Running Back. I expect him to run a lot of yards for the defending city championship Indians. Pound for pound he is a top 5 CPS RB. He also may be one of the fastest RB's in the city and up there in pure speed with Daron Brown of Morgan Park and Tashuan Beane of Fenger. The only issue with Scott is his size. At about 5'7 170 he does not have the frame to make it to the D1 level. In D1 they are looking for guys like 5-10 - 200lbs who have a frame who they can build more through weight lifting. Again, it is not to downplay Scott's football ability. It's like in basketball, colleges will always look at the 7 foot prospect over the 5'8 solid guard. Just because there are very few 7 footers out there and tons of 5'8 guards. But we will see what happens with Scott.