The Julian Jaguars (IL) varsity football team is set to play a home conference game against Catalyst-Maria Wolves (IL) on Thursday, August 28, at 4:15 PM.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Illinois High School Football
Who: Julian Jaguars (IL) vs Catalyst-Maria Wolves (IL)
When: Thursday, August 28, 2025
Time: 4:15 p.m. ET
Where: Eckersall Stadium
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network
Season Preview: Julian and Catalyst-Maria Look to Forge New Paths in 2025-2026
As the 2025-2026 high school sports season officially begins, both Julian High School and Catalyst-Maria High School stand at a crucial starting point: a clean slate. With identical 0-0 Overall records, no games played, and no points scored for or against the two Illinois programs are poised to define their athletic narratives for the year.
The lack of initial results provides a blank canvas, highlighting that all the drama, triumphs, and records are yet to be written. The focus for both teams now shifts entirely to preparation, potential, and the highly anticipated competition ahead.
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Catalyst-Maria enters the season with a slight edge in both National and Illinois rankings, sitting 321 spots higher nationally and 16 spots higher within the state. This marginal advantage in pre-season seeding suggests that Catalyst-Maria may be facing a slightly more challenging competitive schedule or is simply anticipated to perform at a higher level than Julian.
The Rivalry Watch: Julian vs. Catalyst-Maria
The most intriguing section, Head-to-Head is yet to be settled. If Julian and Catalyst-Maria compete in the same conference or schedule a non-conference matchup, that game will be pivotal. Given their geographical proximity within the Chicago Public Schools system, a clash is highly probable across various sports. The first meeting will not only determine the initial bragging rights but will also directly impact their respective state rankings.
What Lies Ahead
For both Julian and Catalyst-Maria, the 2025-2026 season is defined by potential. The current Win % of .000 means every win will represent a significant percentage jump and a positive move up the ranking ladder.
Teams are currently focused on early-season fundamentals, non-league tests to fine-tune strategy, and preparing for the upcoming League schedules where the most critical battles will be fought. As these two Illinois high school programs begin their campaigns, every game, every point, and every defensive stop will contribute to their final 2025-2026 record, pushing them away from the perfect 0-0 equilibrium they currently share
