Top 25 Illinois high school football rankings (10/11/2023)

Barrington and Sycamore, both unbeaten, enter the Top 10

Kankakee, Glenbard South and Batavia all move up in this week's SBLive Illinois Power 25 high school football rankings, while a pair of undefeated teams – Barrington and Sycamore – enter the Top 10.

SBLive Illinois Power 25 high school football rankings

• PREVIOUS RANKINGS: PRESEASON | AUG. 30 | SEPT. 7 | SEPT. 14 | SEPT. 20 | SEPT. 27 | OCT. 4 

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Illinois high school football rankings

October 11, 2023

1. Lincoln-Way East (7-0)

Previous rank: 1 Last week: Def. Homewood-Flossmoor 32-6

The stout Lincoln-Way East defense led the way again during a 32-6 victory over Homewood-Flossmoor on Friday. After taking a 12-6 lead into halftime, the Griffins defense held strong the rest of the way. LWE scored 14 points in the final quarter to pull away.

Next game: vs. Sandburg (5-2), Oct. 13

2. Mount Carmel (7-0)

Previous rank: 2 Last week: Def. Fenwick 21-9

The Caravan won a tough battle with Fenwick on Friday. The offense was led by senior Wisconsin commit Darrion Dupree, who scored twice in the first half. The defense, aside from allowing nine points in the second quarter, gave Fenwick’s offense fits the rest of the night.

Next game: vs. Providence Catholic (4-3), Oct. 3

3. Loyola Academy (7-0)

Previous rank: 3 Last week: Def. IC Catholic Prep 47-0

Loyola put together a dominant effort against an injury-burdened IC Catholic team. After scoring two touchdowns in the opening minutes, the Ramblers kept their foot on the gas and shut down the Knights.

Next game: vs. Benet Academy (4-3), Oct. 14

4. East St. Louis (5-2)

Previous rank: 4 Last week: Def. Alton 59-0

East St. Louis dominated from the start against Alton and put up 53 first half points. Quarterback Robert Battle led the way with 150 yards and three touchdowns in the first half and the Flyers' defense pitched a shutout.

Next game: at No. 15 Edwardsville (7-0), Oct. 13

5. Hersey (6-0)

Previous rank: 5 Last week: Def. Rolling Meadows 42-7

Hersey’s defense stole the show in its 42-7 victory over Rolling Meadows on Friday. Junior defensive lineman Thomas Mulder had a 71 yard scoop-and-score as well as an interception that led to another touchdown. Running back Nasir McKenzie finished with 136 yards and two touchdowns.

Next game: vs. Wheeling (1-6), Oct. 13

6. Kankakee (7-0)

Previous rank: 8 Last week: Def. Bloom 46-0

Kankakee got rolling with 20 first quarter points and never looked back during a dominant 46-0 victory over Bloom. The Kays' defense was impressive in allowing just 121 total yards and completed the shutout of their Southland Conference rival.

Next game: at Thornton (2-5), Oct. 13

7. Glenbard South (7-0)

Previous Rank: 9 Last week: Def. West Chicago 48-6

It was another big time offensive performance for Glenbard South during its 48-6 rout over West Chicago. Senior quarterback Michael Champagne led the way with 208 yards and three touchdowns through the air and another two scores on the ground.

Next game: at Glenbard East (6-1), Oct. 13

8. Batavia (6-1)

Previous rank: 10 Last week: Def. St. Charles East 54-0

Batavia had a balanced offensive attack in its 54-0 victory over St. Charles East. Ryan Boe had another efficient performance with 204 passing yards and three TDs and the Bulldogs rushed for 314 yards and four touchdowns behind strong offensive line play.

Next game: at Wheaton-Warrenville South (4-3), Oct. 13

9. Barrington (7-0)

Previous rank: 11 Last week: Def. Hoffman Estates 35-31

Barrington squeaked past Mid-Suburban West rival Hoffman Estates 35-31 on Friday. Senior Will Nahza contributed on both sides of the ball – he recorded nine catches for 135 yards and a touchdown and also intercepted a pass. Junior quarterback Nick Peipert lit up the stat sheet with 393 yards and three scores along with a rushing TD.

Next game: vs. Palatine (5-2), Oct. 13

10. Sycamore (7-0)

Previous rank: 14 Last week: Def. Woodstock North 42-6

Sycamore remained undefeated after a 42-6 victory over conference opponent Woodstock North on Saturday. The Spartan offense produced 14 points in each of the first three quarters and the defense kept the Thunder off of the scoreboard until the fourth quarter.

Next game: vs. LaSalle-Peru (4-3), Oct. 13

11. York (6-1)

Previous rank: 6 Last week: Lost 28-7 to Glenbard West

The Dukes suffered their first loss of the season against West Suburban Silver rival Glenbard West on Friday. Running back Jake Melion scored the lone York touchdown and finished with 98 yards on 22 carries.

Next game: at Lyons Township (5-2), Oct. 13

12. Rochester (7-0)

Previous rank: 15 Last week: Def. Lincoln 55-0

The Rockets got off to a fast start Friday to defeat conference opponent Lincoln 55-0. Rochester was paced by an electrifying 34-point first quarter outburst and cruised the rest of the way. Defensive back Henry Buecker returned two interceptions for touchdowns.

Next game: vs. Glenwood (5-2), Oct. 13

13. Joliet Catholic (5-2)

Previous rank: 15 Last week: Def. Leo 49-8

Joliet Catholic clinched a playoff berth with a 49-8 victory over Leo on Friday. Junior running back Keegan Farnaus led the Hilltoppers offense and 96 rushing yards and three touchdowns behind a dominant effort from the offensive line. Leo didn't score until the final minutes of the game.

Next game: at Marmion (2-5), Oct. 13

14. Normal Community (7-0)

Previous rank: 19 Last week: Def. Urbana 66-0

The Ironmen cruised to a 66-point victory at home against conference rival Urbana on Friday. After opening up a 46-0 lead going into halftime, the defense held strong the rest of the day and completed the shutout.

Next game: vs. Peoria Notre Dame (5-2), Oct. 13

15. Edwardsville (7-0)

Previous rank: 17 Last week: Def. Belleville East 49-45

Edwardsville escaped with a 49-45 shootout victory over Belleville East on Friday. Senior quarterback and Southern Illinois commit Jake Curry led the Tigers' effort with three rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns, including his school-record setting 58th of his career.

Next game: vs. No. 4 East St. Louis (5-2), Oct. 13

16. Morgan Park (6-1)

Previous rank: 18 Last week: Def. Kenwood 28-26

Morgan Park escaped with a 28-26 victory over talented Chicago Public League rival Kenwood. The Mustangs defense forced three crucial turnovers and wide receiver Chris Durr had another big performance with 10 catches for 146 yards and two TDs. 

Next game: at Brooks (3-4), Oct. 13

17. St. Francis (Wheaton) (5-2)

Previous rank: 24 Last week: Def. St. Rita 31-28

With its thrilling win over St. Rita on Friday, St. Francis completed its third straight victory in the final minute of play against a ranked opponent. Senior kicker Cooper Winslow provided the heroics for the Spartans and converted the game-winning field goal in the final 60 seconds.

Next game: at Leo (2-5), Oct. 14

18. Prairie Ridge (7-0)

Previous rank: 20 Last week: Def. Burlington Central 42-7

Prairie Ridge cruised to a 42-7 Fox Valley Conference victory over Burlington Central on Friday. Running back Jake Finn led the offensive effort and scored on touchdown runs of 21, 30, and 50 yards – all in the first half – and the Wolves had a strong defensive effort in allowing just 37 rushing yards.

Next game: vs. Crystal Lake Central (4-3), Oct. 13

19. IC Catholic Prep (5-2)

Previous rank: 24 Last week: Lost 47-0 to Loyola Academy

Missing several key players due to illness in a difficult matchup, IC Catholic Prep struggled to get any momentum against the Ramblers and lost for the second straight week.

Next game: at De La Salle (3-4), Oct. 13

20. Maine South (6-1)

Previous rank: 21 Last week: Def. Glenbrook South 45-36

After taking a 35-7 lead in the third quarter on Friday, Maine South held off a stubborn Glenbrook South squad and secured a 45-36 win. Junior quarterback Constantine Coines produced 313 yards of offense and the Hawks defense clutched up with two fourth quarter interceptions to seal the victory.

Next game: at Deerfield (4-3), Oct. 13

21. Althoff (6-1)

Previous rank: 22 Last week: Def. Mater Dei 41-22

After falling behind 20-14 going into halftime, Althoff put together an impressive second half rally to defeat Mater Dei. Dierre Hill Jr. had another huge performance with 218 yards on the ground and three touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter. The Crusaders defense forced three turnovers and finished strong.

Next game: vs. Granite City (0-7), Oct. 13

22. Morris (7-0)

Previous rank: 23 Last week: Def. Woodstock 48-7

Morris continued its undefeated season with a dominant 48-7 win over conference opponent Woodstock. Quarterback Carter Button helped the Redskins to a 42-0 halftime lead and completed 7 of 9 passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns. Jacob Swartz led the Morris rushing attack and finished with 112 yards and three TDs.

Next game: at Ottawa (3-4), Oct. 13

23. St. Rita (4-3)

Previous rank: 12 Last week: Lost 31-28 to St. Francis

St. Rita lost a thriller in the final minute to St. Francis on Friday. After tying the game at 28 at the end of the third quarter, St. Rita would not score again. Junior running back Nick Herman led the scoring with a rushing touchdown and an 84-yard kick return for a touchdown.

Next game: vs. St. Laurence (6-1), Oct. 13

24. Glenbard West (5-2)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. York 28-7

Glenbard West shocked its conference rival and previously-undefeated York with a 28-7 statement victory on the road on Friday. Teyion Oriental scored two TDs to lead the Hilltoppers, who clinched a playoff spot for the 16th straight season.

Next game: vs. Proviso West (0-7), Oct. 14

25. Downers Grove North (5-2)

Previous rank: 13 Last week: Lost 17-7 to Lyons Township

Downers Grove North dropped its West Suburban Silver Conference matchup with Lyons Township 17-7 on Friday. The Trojans could not get any points on the board until midway through the fourth quarter.

Next game: at Hinsdale South (3-4), Oct. 13

Vote: Who should be SBLive's Illinois High School Athlete of the Week (10/10/2023)?

Illinois high school football: Top standouts, best performances in Week 7 (10/7/2023)

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