What is this? Well, a few years ago I noticed something interesting. I believe it was Hamilton County, they had a front loaded schedule of low win opponents. By all appearances based on W-L and week of the year you would consider them to be a shoe-in for the playoffs. To say that they wouldn't make the playoffs at that time looked silly unless you looked deeper.

But there it was in 2008, Hamilton County sitting on the edge of the playoffs at 4-2 in week 6. Really they only needed one win to get enough playoff points and be in the playoffs. The next three weeks brought Johnston City (lost 47-0), Carterville (lost 50-0) and Fairfield (lost the play in game to 4-4 Fairfield by a score of 23-6).

These teams are listed in the top of the bracket in the playoff outlook but seem like they might fall out. They need a strong showing against the strongest part of their schedule. What teams will that be this year? Please give examples of the teams and the remaining schedule. I have a few. Not saying that these teams will not make the playoffs, just that they have to prove it against a harder schedule then what they have faced so far.

Benton (5-1) - 20 Playoff Points
Record of opponents that they have beaten. 4-26.
Combined Record of the next three opponents. 12-6.

Anna-Jonesboro (5-1) - 22 Playoff Points
Record of opponents that they have beaten. 4-26.
Combined Record of the next three opponents. 13-5.

Wesclin (5-1) - 22 Playoff Points
Record of opponents that they have beaten. 8-22.
Combined Record of the next three opponents. 8-10.

Robinson (4-2) - 27 Playoff Points
Record of opponents that they have beaten. 5-19.
Combined Record of the next three opponents. 13-5.

Effingham (4-2) - 30 Playoff Points
Record of opponents that they have beaten. 7-17.
Combined Record of the next three opponents. 12-6

Eldorado (4-2) - 26 Playoff Points
Record of opponents that they have beaten. 6-18.
Combined Record of the next three opponents. 9-9.

Breese Central (4-2) - 27 Playoff Points
Record of opponents that they have beaten. 3-21.
Combined Record of the next three opponents. 12-6.

The 2010 Apollo conference has 8 member schools: Charleston Trojans, Effingham Flaming Hearts, Mt Zion (Mt. Zion) Braves, Newton Eagles, Olney-East Richland (Olney) Tigers, Paris Tigers, Robinson Maroons, Salem Wildcats. Over the next few years this conference will change with Robinson, Newton, and Olney leaving for the LIC in 2012. At this time it appears that Mattoon and Teutopolis will join to form a seven team Apollo starting in 2012-2013. Teutopolis does not yet have a football program.

The Effingham Flaming Hearts play Illinois high school football (IHSA) as a 2010 member of the Apollo conference. Effingham High School is located in Effingham, Illinois. Effingham is in Effingham county. The Flaming Hearts' Illinois Pigskin region is the 217 Football Region. They are coached by Mike McDonald entering his 19th year of coaching at Effingham. The school Athletic Director is Dave Woltman.

The schools 2010 enrollment numbers are 916. The Flaming Hearts' colors are Red/White/Forest Green. Effingham has qualified for the IHSA playoffs 15 times, the last playoff appearance was 2009. They have qualified for the playoffs 7 consecutive years.