08/26/2026
Week 2 Southern Illinois Football Preview
The second week of the 2026 high school football season brings another busy slate across Southern Illinois, with three games on the schedule featuring teams looking to build momentum early in the season — and in one case, a program simply looking to find its footing after an extended absence.
Vienna/Goreville at Massac County — Thursday, Aug. 27
For the first time since 2024, the Vienna/Goreville Eagles will take the field for a football game when they travel to Massac County on Thursday night.
The Eagles are looking to turn the page on a difficult stretch that has seen the program go without a winning season since 2013. Vienna/Goreville also has not completed a full nine-game schedule since the fall of 2022, when the Eagles finished 1-8.
That lone victory came against Edwards County, a 20-7 win on Sept. 23, 2022.
Now, after a lengthy hiatus from the gridiron, the Eagles return with a difficult test against a Massac County team looking to bounce back from a disappointing Week 1 result.
The Patriots opened the season against a talented West Frankfort squad, falling 48-14. Massac County will look to put that loss behind it and get into the win column against Vienna/Goreville.
The Patriots finished 4-5 last season and went 1-3 in SIRR-Ohio play, narrowly missing the postseason.
Thursday provides Massac County an opportunity to get back on track, while Vienna/Goreville begins a new chapter in its football program.
Hamilton County at Sesser-Valier/Waltonville — Friday, Aug. 28
Black Diamond Conference play continues Friday night when the Hamilton County Foxes travel to Sesser-Valier/Waltonville to take on the Red Devils.
Hamilton County enters Week 2 with some early momentum after opening the season with a 14-0 shutout victory over Red Hill.
The Foxes are hoping that win can be the beginning of a turnaround after struggling through a 1-8 campaign last season. Hamilton County’s lone victory in 2025 came in Week 3, when the Foxes defeated Carmi-White County 32-16 on Sept. 12.
Sesser-Valier/Waltonville, meanwhile, will be looking to respond after opening the season with a loss to Flora. The Wolves have been tabbed by many as the favorite to win the Black Diamond Conference this season, giving the Red Devils a difficult opening assignment.
Despite the loss, Sesser-Valier/Waltonville enters the season with plenty to build on. The Red Devils went 6-3 during the 2025 regular season and earned a postseason berth before falling to Greenfield/Northwestern 42-14 in the opening round.
Friday’s matchup provides both teams with an opportunity to establish some early momentum. Hamilton County is looking to make it two straight, while Sesser-Valier/Waltonville hopes to even its record and avoid an early two-game skid.
Marshall at Sparta/Steeleville — Saturday, Aug. 29
The Sparta/Steeleville Bulldogs will return home Saturday looking to make it two straight wins when they host the Marshall Lions.
The Bulldogs opened their season in dominant fashion, cruising past Madison 48-6 in Week 1.
After missing the playoffs last season with a 4-5 record, Sparta/Steeleville enters 2026 with hopes of changing that narrative. A major reason for that optimism is the return of several starters from last year’s team, including quarterback Dariontez Monroe.
Monroe and the Bulldogs offense showed plenty of firepower in the season opener, and Saturday’s matchup will provide another opportunity to build confidence early in the season.
Marshall will arrive in Sparta/Steeleville with some momentum of its own. The Lions opened the season with a thrilling 16-8 victory over Wesclin.
With both teams entering Week 2 at 1-0, Saturday’s matchup offers an early-season test between two teams that already have a win under their belts and are looking to keep that momentum rolling.
Three games, three different storylines and plenty of early-season stakes make for another busy weekend of high school football across Southern Illinois.
