The Illinois Crusaders Crusaders (MD) varsity football team is set to play a home conference game against CMCC Crusaders (MD) on Saturday, August 23, at 1:15 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Maryland High School Football
Who: Illinois Crusaders Crusaders (MD) vs CMCC Crusaders (MD)
When: Saturday, August 23, 2025
Time: 1:15 p.m. ET
Where: Homeschool Football Classic – Lucus Oil Stadium
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network

While both the Illinois Crusaders and CMCC football teams begin the 25-26 season with identical 0-0 records, a look at their preliminary rankings and preseason data reveals a clear picture of what’s to come. Based on the provided data, neither team has played a game yet, and all records across various breakdowns are at a standstill. The most telling information comes from their initial national and state rankings, which already suggest a significant disparity in how they are viewed heading into the season.

Preseason Rankings and Expectations
The Illinois Crusaders start the season with a national ranking of 13,579 and an Illinois state ranking of 502. These numbers provide a baseline for the team’s standing before any games are played. While not a top-tier national contender, their state ranking of 502 indicates a middle-of-the-pack position within Illinois, suggesting they will be competitive within their local and state-level matchups.

The CMCC team, on the other hand, enters the season ranked 13,697 nationally and 211 in Maryland. CMCC’s higher state ranking suggests a stronger position within its home state compared to the Crusaders. This implies that CMCC is likely to face tougher competition in-state and may have a more promising outlook for the season, at least on a local level.

Matchup Breakdown
The provided head-to-head and common opponent data, currently at 0-0, is where the story will begin to unfold. The first game will establish the initial trajectory for each team’s season. The results of these early games will dramatically shift their rankings and paint a more accurate picture of their strengths and weaknesses. For now, all metrics point to a battle of potential versus reality.

In summary, while the records are identical, the preliminary rankings suggest a more favorable position for CMCC at the start of the season. However, with the first whistle yet to blow, both teams have everything to play for.