Maine South opens its home schedule Saturday, Aug. 29, when the Hawks host Warren at 1111 South Dee Road in Park Ridge.

Coach Dave Inserra's squad enters the game 0-1 after a 49-35 loss at Batavia on Aug. 21. Quarterback Jameson Purcell, an Indiana University commit, finished that game 20-of-40 for 187 yards and two touchdowns after a rough first half. Running backs Payton Donaldson (110 yards, one touchdown) and Matt Schlenhardt (104 yards, two touchdowns on five carries) both topped 100 yards on the ground.

The offense showed it can score. The question is defense.

Maine South went 10-2 in 2025 and was ranked No. 12 in the Chicago Tribune's preseason Chicagoland Top 25, which described the Hawks as "another high-powered offense in Park Ridge, led by Indiana commit Jameson Purcell at quarterback."

Warren brings its own credentials. The Blue Devils went 9-2 last season and were ranked No. 2 in the Tribune's Lake County preseason Top 10. They were also listed among "others to watch" in the Chicagoland Top 25.

Warren's 2026 roster features junior quarterback Xavier Vinson, who holds multiple Division III offers, and junior running back Jonathan Randolph, who takes over for graduated starter Aaron Stewart. Senior tight end Kentrell Lear is a key target. On defense, junior lineman Kaden Millbrooks and senior linebacker Braylan McMillon anchor the front seven.

The expanded 2026 IHSA playoff format sends 48 teams per class to the postseason, with the top 16 seeds earning a first-round bye. Early-season wins carry more weight for seeding under the new structure.

The Aug. 29 game is the first meeting between two programs that combined for a 19-4 record in 2025. Maine South's next scheduled game after Warren has not been confirmed in available sources.