One year after another deep postseason run ended just one win shy of the ultimate prize, the Maroa-Forsyth Trojans enter the 2026 season with one thing on their minds: finishing the job.
Making the state championship game has become an expectation inside the program, but winning it is the standard. Head coach Josh Jostes made that clear when discussing the upcoming season.
“The expectation for our program is always to win a state championship,” Jostes said. “Anytime we don’t do that, we feel like we fell short.”
That mindset has become part of the culture at Maroa-Forsyth. There are no celebrations over simply making a playoff run or reaching state. The Trojans believe they belong among Illinois’ elite every season.
The road begins with Week 1 against New Berlin, but Jostes isn’t looking beyond the opener.
“We just want to be 1-0,” he said.
Strength Starts Up Front
One of the biggest reasons for optimism is an experienced offensive line. Maroa-Forsyth returns every starter up front, giving the Trojans one of the most seasoned trenches in Central Illinois despite graduating several skilled playmakers.
“We return all of our offensive linemen,” Jostes said. “That’s obviously a big thing for us.”
The Trojans also return plenty of experience throughout the roster with 17 seniors and 17 juniors leading a squad of approximately 65 players. That veteran leadership is expected to help guide a new wave of playmakers into larger roles.
A New Leader Under Center
Replacing record-setting quarterback Ryne Sheppard was never going to be easy, but Maroa-Forsyth believes it has found its next leader in senior Aiden Williams.
Williams earned the starting quarterback job after missing his entire junior season because of a back injury. Jostes expects the talented senior to have a breakout campaign.
“Aiden Williams has won our quarterback battle,” Jostes said. “We expect him to have a breakout season for us.”
For Williams, returning to the field has been a long road. A pars defect fracture in his lower back forced him to miss football, basketball, and track during his junior year. Now healthy, he’s eager to lead the Trojans back to Memorial Stadium.
“It definitely left a bad taste in our mouth,” Williams said. “Our goal is to go undefeated in conference and go win a state championship.”
A Team Focused on Finishing
Senior PJ Woodward says the standard has remained the same despite last season’s success.
“Obviously expectations are to go to state, but not just go to state—it’s to win state,” Woodward said.
Senior receiver and defensive back Grady Rose believes last year’s loss has only strengthened the team’s resolve.
“We had a sour taste in our mouth after we lost. We really want to get back there,” Rose said.
Rose believes the Trojans have plenty of weapons to replace last year’s production. He highlighted quarterback Aiden Williams, along with big-play receivers Caebrin Lee and Declan Shannon, as players poised to make a significant impact in the passing game this season.
Built for Another Championship Run
The Trojans know replacing talented skill players won’t happen overnight, but confidence throughout the program remains as high as ever.
A veteran offensive line, experienced leadership, a healthy quarterback, and a culture built on competing for championships have Maroa-Forsyth believing another deep playoff run is well within reach.
For a program that has played on the biggest stage in Illinois football, the mission is simple. The Trojans aren’t chasing another appearance—they’re chasing a championship.
The expectations haven’t changed.
Neither has the goal.
For Josh Jostes and Maroa-Forsyth, anything less than bringing home the Class 2A state championship trophy will feel like unfinished business.
