The Marquette Catholic Explorers football program is entering its second season under Coach Eric Dickerson, and the excitement is palpable. After a breakthrough year that saw the team finish with a winning record and secure a spot in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) playoffs, the Explorers are poised to carry that momentum into the 2025 campaign.
A major shift this year is the team’s admission to the newly formed Metro Valley Conference, which groups Marquette with traditional rivals such as Roxana, Belleville Althoff, Breese Mater Dei and Madison. The conference schedule promises a blend of familiar foes and fresh challenges, setting the stage for competitive matchups week after week.
Building a Balanced Squad
Coach Dickerson has emphasized continuity and cohesion, noting that the senior class from last season provided a strong foundation. “We’re focusing on daily preparation, teamwork and maintaining high expectations,” he said, adding that the blend of returning starters and new faces will be key to sustaining success.
Among the returning starters, quarterback Toby Eberlin will once again anchor the offense, while running back Jhordyn Croft and wide receivers Don'Tay Longstreet and Ethan McCleod look to build on last year’s production. Their experience should give the Explorers a solid core on both sides of the ball.
New additions to the roster bring additional depth. Defensive contributors Mark Osborne and Ryan Kline are expected to make immediate impacts, providing the team with extra versatility as they navigate a demanding schedule.
The season kicks off on August 21 with a home game against Dupo, followed by contests against Red Bud and St. Louis Principia High School later in the month. A road trip to Aurora Central Catholic is slated for September 12, marking the first of a two‑year home‑and‑home agreement between the programs.
Beyond the on‑field action, the Explorers are embracing the broader changes introduced by the IHSA’s postseason expansion, which will increase the number of teams per class and seed the top 16 for byes starting in 2026. For Marquette, the focus remains on executing their game plan, staying disciplined, and letting the results speak for themselves.