You can't drive down Washington Street in Springfield without feeling it. That heavy, expectant air that hangs around the Sacred Heart-Griffin campus on a Friday night in October. For decades, shg springfield il football hasn't just been a high school program; it’s been a relentless machine, a community cornerstone, and—to the rest of the Central State Eight conference—a constant headache.
But things are different now.
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Most people look at the record books and see the six state titles under the legendary Ken Leonard. They see the 2022 Class 4A championship and assume it's just business as usual. Honestly, though? The program is in the middle of one of its most fascinating transitions in half a century. We aren't in the "Ken Era" anymore. We're deep into the John Allison era, and the stakes have never felt more personal for the Cyclone faithful.
The Post-Leonard Reality: Why the Standards Haven't Budged
When Ken Leonard retired after that 2022 title, he didn't just leave as a coach; he left as the winningest coach in Illinois High School Association (IHSA) history with 419 wins. That's a lot of pressure to hand over to the next guy.
John Allison was the logical choice. He wasn't some outsider brought in to "fix" things. He’s a physics teacher who spent nearly two decades as the Cyclones' offensive coordinator. He knows the DNA of this team. Basically, he helped build the very pedestal he’s now standing on.
The 2025 Campaign: A Season of Close Calls
The 2025 season was a wild ride that ended just a few weeks ago. SHG finished with an 8-4 record. To most schools, 8-4 is a "hang the banner" kind of year. At SHG? It’s a season of "what ifs."
The Cyclones were dominant in conference play, going 5-0 to take the CS8 West. They put up 65 points on Southeast and 56 on Springfield High. But the kryptonite stayed the same: Rochester.
Losing to the Rockets 31-28 in the regular season was tough. Losing to them again, 41-35 in an overtime thriller during the 4A quarterfinals on November 15, was heartbreaking. That game was an instant classic, featuring a game-ending interception by Rochester’s Khornell Gregory that stopped SHG just short of the Final Four.
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It’s these margins—a single overtime possession—that define shg springfield il football right now. They are right there. They are elite. But the gap between "great" and "state champion" has become a razor-thin line guarded by their neighbors to the south.
Inside the Roster: The Names You Need to Know
If you've been watching the games at the $6 million Cyclone Stadium lately, you know it's not just about history. It's about the kids on the field right now.
Junior running back and safety Mike Groesch has basically become the heart of the team. During the 2025 season, he was a dual-threat nightmare, leading the team in rushing yards and touchdowns while also snagging interceptions on defense. He’s the type of player who embodies that "trust the guy next to you" mantra Coach Allison preaches.
- Andrew Wolters: A junior wideout who averaged over 64 yards per game this past season. He’s the deep threat that keeps defenses from stacking the box against Groesch.
- Cam Brinkman: The junior quarterback who has been tasked with navigating the complex Cyclone offense.
- Thatcher Trotter: A 6'2", 275-pound sophomore center who is already the anchor of the offensive line.
These aren't just names on a jersey. They are the core of a 2026 squad that looks incredibly dangerous. Most of these guys are coming back for their senior years. If you’re a betting person, 2026 is the year many in Springfield think the Cyclones return to the state title game.
The Rivalry That Consumes the City
You can’t talk about SHG without talking about Rochester. It’s arguably the best rivalry in Illinois, regardless of class.
It’s weirdly respectful but incredibly intense. You have Derek Leonard—Ken’s son—coaching Rochester, and John Allison, the longtime family friend and colleague, coaching SHG. It’s like a family dinner where everyone is trying to tackle each other.
The "Leonard Bowl" might be officially over since Ken retired, but the shadow remains. Every time these two teams meet, the city of Springfield basically shuts down. The Quarterfinal loss in November 2025 was the 20th meeting between the schools, and the "Rocket-Cyclone" clash continues to be the barometer for success in Central Illinois.
More Than Just Trophies: The Alumni Legacy
People often forget that SHG is a pro-player factory.
- Albert Okwuegbunam: The former Denver Broncos and Eagles tight end started right here in Springfield.
- Malik Turner: A wide receiver who has spent time with the Seahawks, Cowboys, and 49ers.
- Nick Broeker: An offensive lineman who made the jump to the NFL with the Texans.
This is what sets shg springfield il football apart. When a freshman walks into the locker room, they aren't just looking at posters of state championship trophies. They are looking at the lockers of guys who played on Sundays. It creates a psychological edge. They expect to win because, for sixty years, they always have.
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Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you’re a fan or a local following the program, the next few months are the most important part of the calendar. Here is what needs to happen for SHG to jump from a quarterfinalist back to a state champion:
- Closing the Rochester Gap: The defense allowed 31 and 41 points in their two losses to the Rockets. The 2026 defensive scheme under coordinator Jim McMann has to find a way to contain the Rockets' spread attack in high-pressure moments.
- Senior Leadership Development: With players like Groesch, Wolters, and Brinkman entering their senior years, the locker room culture is theirs to define. The transition from the "Ken Era" is officially over; this is their team now.
- Strength and Conditioning: Doug Ludolph, the longtime strength coach, is arguably the most important person on campus from January to August. The Cyclones win in the fourth quarter because they are usually the more physical team.
- Early Season Scheduling: Watch who the Cyclones schedule for their non-conference opener. They often test themselves against powerhouses like St. Louis CBC to see where they stand before the CS8 gauntlet begins.
The 2025 season showed that while the names on the headsets have changed, the expectations in the stands haven't moved an inch. Sacred Heart-Griffin remains the gold standard of Springfield sports. Whether they can turn that 8-4 "rebuilding" year into a 14-0 championship run in 2026 depends entirely on how they handle the sting of that overtime loss in Rochester.
Keep an eye on the weight room this winter. That's where championships are actually won in Springfield.