Top 25 Illinois high school football rankings (10/18/2023)

Mount Carmel at Loyola Academy highlights Week 9 schedule

Mike Carpinelli | Oct 18, 2023

The final week of the regular season of Illinois high school football regular season features one of the biggest matchups of the season as No. 2 Mount Carmel plays at No. 3 Loyola Academy.

The Caravan and the Ramblers both enter the game unbeaten this fall and will be looking to keep rolling and make a statement going into the playoffs.

SBLive Illinois Power 25 high school football rankings

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: PRESEASON | AUG. 30 | SEPT. 7 | SEPT. 14 | SEPT. 20 | SEPT. 27 | OCT. 4 | OCT. 11

Illinois high school football rankings

October 18, 2023

1. Lincoln-Way East (8-0)

Previous rank: 1 Last week: Def. Sandburg 42-14

Lincoln-Way East took care of Sandburg to clinch the outright Southwest Suburban-Blue Conference title on Friday. Senior running back Zion Gist led the way with 56 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries and added two receptions for 15 yards and another score.

Next game: at Bolingbrook (3-5), Oct. 20

2. Mount Carmel (8-0)

Previous rank: 2 Last week: Def. Providence 43-9

The Caravan flexed their muscle in a dominant 43-9 win over Providence. Junior quarterback Jack Elliott threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another to pace the Mount Carmel offense.

Next game: at No. 3 Loyola Academy (8-0), Oct. 21

3. Loyola Academy (8-0)

Previous rank: 3 Last week: Def. Benet Academy 41-7

The Ramblers were firing on all cylinders right out of the gate at home against Benet on Saturday. After scoring 21 points in the first quarter, Loyola never looked back and led 41-7 in the third quarter before turning to its reserves.

Next game: vs. No. 2 Mount Carmel (8-0), Oct. 21

4. East St. Louis (6-2)

Previous rank: 4 Last week: Def. Edwardsville 27-15

The Flyers defeated a stubborn Edwardsville team 27-15 to bring home their eighth consecutive Southwestern Conference title on Friday. Junior running back TaRyan Martin provided a solid effort on the ground with 130 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.

Next game: Idle this week

5. Hersey (8-0)

Previous rank: 5 Last week: Def. Wheeling 52-7

Colton Gumino led another offensive outburst in the Huskies' 52-7 victory over Wheeling. The junior completed six of his seven passes for 228 yards and four touchdowns in just one half of action.

Next game: vs. Elk Grove (3-5), Oct. 20

6. Kankakee (8-0)

Previous rank: 6 Last week: Def. Thornton 59-0

It was all Kankakee on Friday in a blowout win over Southland Conference opponent Thornton. The Kays got the clock running and took a 42-0 lead heading into the half and the defense held strong throughout the second half to complete the shutout.

Next game: vs. Crete-Monee (6-2), Oct. 20

7. Batavia (7-1)

Previous rank: 8 Last week: Def. Wheaton-Warrenville South 28-14

Batavia continued its winning streak with a DuKane Conference title-clinching win at Wheaton-Warrenville South on Friday. Senior Ryan Boe led the offense with two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) while senior linebacker Ben Fiegel led the defense with 10 tackles.

Next game: vs. Glenbard North (0-8), Oct. 20

8. Barrington (8-0)

Previous rank: 9 Last week: Def. Palatine 50-32

The Barrington offense had a phenomenal showing against Palatine on Friday. The Broncos used a balanced attack as quarterback Nick Peipert threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another score and running back Dillon Fitzpatrick rushed for 178 yards and three TDs.

Next game: at Conant (3-5), Oct. 20

9. Sycamore (8-0)

Previous rank: 10 Last week: Def. LaSalle-Peru 49-0

It was all Spartans during their Interstate 8 Conference victory over LaSalle-Peru. Senior Tyler Curtis led the way with four touchdowns and the Sycamore defense kept the Cavaliers off the scoreboard.

Next game: at No. 22 Morris (8-0), Oct. 20

10. York (7-1)

Previous rank: 11 Last week: Def. Lyons Township 24-14

York bounced back from a Week 7 loss with a West Suburban-Silver Conference victory over Lyons Township. Senior wide receiver Luke Mailander was the go-to-guy for the Dukes as he finished with eight catches for 141 yards and a touchdown.

Next game: vs. Proviso West (0-8), Oct. 20

11. Rochester (8-0)

Previous rank: 12 Last week: Def. Glenwood 63-21

After taking a slim 21-14 lead into the break, the Rockets came out hot in the second half and pulled away to remain undefeated. Running back Nolan Mrozowski was the difference maker for Rochester as the senior finished with five touchdowns.

Next game: at Sacred Heart-Griffin (6-2), Oct. 20

12. Glenbard South (7-1)

Previous rank: 7 Last week: Lost 28-14 Glenbard East

Glenbard South could not keep up against a tough Glenbard East team on Friday. Senior quarterback Michael Champagne threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns and Notre Dame-bound senior Cam Williams had 122 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Next game: at Elgin (1-7), Oct. 20

13. Joliet Catholic (6-2)

Previous rank: 13 Last week: Def. Marmion 45-0

Joliet Catholic’s big offensive line asserted its dominance in a blowout win over Marmion on Friday. The Hilltoppers combined for 411 rushing yards with HJ Grigsby leading the effort with 129 yards and two touchdowns.

Next game: vs. St. Ignatius (5-3), Oct. 20

14. Normal Community (8-0)

Previous rank: 14 Last week: Def. Peoria Notre Dame 50-0

Normal Community had a dominant showing against Big Twelve Conference opponent Peoria Notre Dame on Friday. Senior running back Tommy Davis led the Ironmen with three rushing touchdowns.

Next game: at Manual (1-7), Oct. 20

15. Edwardsville (7-1)

Previous rank: 15 Last week: Lost to East St. Louis 27-15

After falling behind 19-0 in the first half to a talented East St. Louis squad, Edwardsville tried to rally with two late scores but could not complete the comeback. After being held in check by a tough defense, the Tigers managed two rushing touchdowns and a 2-point conversion in the final quarter.

Next game: at De Smet (Missouri) (7-0), Oct. 20

16. Morgan Park (7-1)

Previous rank: 16 Last week: Def. Brooks 54-6

Junior quarterback Marcus Thaxton had an electrifying performance in Morgan Park's Chicago Public League-Red victory over Brooks. Thaxton sparked the Mustang offense by completing 9 of 13 passes for 145 yards and six touchdowns.

Next game: vs. Simeon (5-3), Oct. 21

17. St. Francis (Wheaton) (6-2)

Previous rank: 17 Last week: Def. Leo 42-6

The Spartans had a dominant showing in their win at Leo on Saturday. Senior Ball State commit Alessio Milivojevic had another strong performance as he completed 15 of 22 passes for 205 yards and four touchdowns. The defense held the Lions scoreless until the final quarter.

Next game: at Nazareth Academy (4-4), Oct. 20

18. Prairie Ridge (8-0)

Previous rank: 20 Last week: Def. Crystal Lake Central 35-6

After a slow start and facing a 6-0 second quarter deficit, Prairie Ridge snapped out of it and scored 35 unanswered points to defeat Crystal Lake Central and clinch the Fox Valley Conference title.

Next game: at McHenry (0-8), Oct. 20

19. IC Catholic Prep (6-2)

Previous rank: 19 Last week: Def. De La Salle 55-20

With several key players back in the starting lineup, IC Catholic Prep turned in a great performance and defeated De La Salle. Running back Joey Gliatta led the offense with 133 yards and three touchdowns and Iowa-bound senior KJ Parker stood out on both sides of the ball with two receiving touchdowns and an interception.

Next game: vs. Fenwick (4-4), Oct. 20

20. Maine South (7-1)

Previous rank: 20 Last week: Def. Deerfield 49-17

Maine South clinched the Central Suburban-South Conference title with its victory over Deerfield on Friday. Quarterback Constantine Coines handled the scoring effort as he racked up 359 total yards and seven touchdowns (five passing and two rushing).

Next game: vs. Evanston (3-5), Oct. 20

21. Althoff (7-1)

Previous rank: 21 Last week: Def. Granite City 53-14

The Crusaders exploded for 41 points in the first quarter to get the clock running early in a dominant victory over Granite City. Dierre Hill Jr. broke away for two 75-yard touchdown runs in the opening quarter and quarterback Jayden Ellington finished a perfect 7 of 7 passing for 83 yards and three TDs.

Next game: at Durand/Pecatonica (7-1), Oct. 20

22. Morris (8-0)

Previous rank: 23 Last week: Def. Ottawa 54-17

The Redskins defeated Ottawa behind strong performances from seniors Carter Button and Jacob Swartz. Button finished 6-of-8 passing for 134 yards and two touchdowns along with another score on the ground. Swartz finished with 157 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Next game: vs. No. 9 Sycamore (8-0), Oct. 20

23. Glenbard West (6-2)

Previous rank: 24 Last week: Def. Proviso West 48-0

Glenbard West recorded its fifth straight victory with a West Suburban-Silver Conference shutout victory over Proviso West. Senior running back Jack Moellering led the way offensively with four rushing TDs.

Next game: at Oak Park-River Forest (1-7), Oct. 20

24. St. Rita (5-3)

Previous rank: 23 Last week: Def. St. Laurence 20-9

The Mustangs came out on top of a hard fought battle with St. Laurence on Friday. Junior running back Nick Herman was the workhorse for St. Rita and paced the offense with 155 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. The defense forced three turnovers to secure the win.

Next game: at Brother Rice (4-4), Oct. 20

25. Downers Grove North (6-2)

Previous rank: 25 Last week: Def Hinsdale South 32-0

Downers Grove North turned in a great effort in its non-conference victory over Hinsdale South on Friday. Senior Owen Thulin played a big role on both sides of the ball as he intercepted three passes and had a touchdown reception.

Next game: vs. Hinsdale Central (3-5), Oct. 20

- Mike Carpinelli | latsch@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveIL

Published Oct 18, 2023

MIKE CARPINELLI