Mid-Illini Conference football play begins its 43rd season during Week 3 of the 2024.

Washington is the reigning league champion, going unbeaten on its run to the Class 6A state semifinals. Dunlap is the slight favorite this season, while the Panthers, Morton and Metamora are all in the mix to claim the Mid-Illini crown.

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Here is an outlook on the 2024 Mid-Illini Conference title race, listed in predicted order of finish:

1. Dunlap

• Coach: Brett Cazalet, 16th season

• Last year: 6-4 overall, 4-3 in M-I play

• Players to watch: John Bargen, QB, Jr.; Isaac Foster, OL, Sr.; Jackson Oldham, RB. Sr.; Mack Sutter, TE, Jr.

• Key conference game: Week 7 vs. Washington

• Dunlap can compete in the Mid-Illini if ... the Eagles, much like last season, can go 2-1 or better in weeks 7-9 against Washington, Morton and Metamora after posting a 0-3 mark in 2023.

2. Washington

• Coach: Todd Stevens, first season

• Last year: 11-2 overall, 7-0 in M-I play

• Players to watch: Noah Bell, DL, Sr.; Tyler Humphrey, QB, Sr.; AJ Jones, WR, Jr.; Carter Prina, DL, Sr.

• Key conference game: Week 3 at Metamora

• Washington can compete in the Mid-Illini if ... the Panthers once again showcase their dominating defense, allowing 6.6 points a game including two shutouts.

3. Morton

• Coach: Adam O'Neill, second season

• Last year: 8-2 overall, 6-1 in M-I play

• Players to watch: Cole Rinkenberger, DB, Sr.; Dennis Dracup, OL, Sr.; Seandon Buffington, RB, Sr.; Julian Alexander, WR, Sr.

• Key conference game: Week 8 vs. Dunlap

• Morton can compete in the Mid-Illini if ... the Potters can utilize a balance of Buffington and Alexander on offense, while continuing to play great on defense.

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4. Metamora

• Coach: Jared Grebner, fifth season

• Last year: 8-3 overall, 5-2 in M-I play

• Players to watch: Jaiduan Cranford, RB, Jr.; Avery Grebner, DB, Sr.; Cam Nickel, LB, Sr.; Evan Keil, RB, Sr.

• Key conference game: Week 3 vs. Washington

• Metamora can compete in the Mid-Illini if ... the Redbirds can beat Washington, which has won the last three meetings by an average margin of 23.3 points.

5. East Peoria

• Coach: Sam Durley, first season

• Last year: 2-7 overall, 1-6 in M-I play

• Players to watch: Connor Liescheidt, OL, Sr.; Gavin Eppers, OL, Sr.; Dalton Oakman, QB, Jr.; Joe Clark, WR, Sr.

• Key conference game: Week 3 vs. Limestone

• East Peoria can compete in the Mid-Illini if ... the Raiders can carry the momentum from their first two non-conference games into league play.

6. Pekin

• Coach: Doug Nutter, 16th season

• Last year: 4-5 overall, 3-4 in M-I play

• Players to watch: Hunter Lamberson, OL, Sr.; Landon Erxleben, DL, Sr.; Hudson Nutter, LB/RB, Sr.

• Key conference game: Week 3 vs. Dunlap

• Pekin can compete in the Mid-Illini if ... the Dragons can get through the gauntlet in weeks 3-6 against Dunlap, Washington, Morton and Metamora with at least two wins after going 0-4 versus those same foes last season.

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7. Canton

• Coach: Nick McCormick, first season

• Last year: 1-8 overall, 1-6 in M-I play

• Players to watch: Braxton Rock, WR, Jr.; Garrett Sego, DL, Sr.; Dane Watts, OL, Sr.; Trevor Taff, LB, Sr.

• Key conference game: Week 3 vs. Morton

• Canton can compete in the Mid-Illini if ... the Little Giants can utilize 24 seniors and ride the momentum from last season's Week 9 victory against Limestone.

8. Limestone

• Coach: Jeff Schmider, third season

• Last year: 1-8 overall, 1-6 in M-I play

• Players to watch: Austyn Huddleston, RB/DB, Sr.; Kamar Sanders, WR/DB, Sr.; Jacob McBride, RB/LB, Sr.

• Key conference game: Week 3 vs. East Peoria

• Limestone can compete in the Mid-Illini if ... the Rockets can get off on the right foot like they did last season, beating East Peoria, 13-12 in Week 3.

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

2024 Mid-Illini Conference predictions

Here is the predicted finish for the conference in 2024.

1. Dunlap (9-0, 7-0)

2. Washington (7-2, 6-1)

3. Morton (7-2, 5-2)

4. Metamora (6-3, 4-3)

5. East Peoria (5-4, 3-4)

6. Pekin (3-6, 2-5)

7. Canton (1-8, 1-6)

8. Limestone (0-9, 0-7)

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Mid-Illini Conference predictions, outlook, preview HS football 2024