Top 25 Illinois high school football rankings (11/1/2023)

Undefeated Antioch enters the rankings this week

Here is a look at the SBLive Illinois Power 25 high school football rankings going into the second week of 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 | OCT. 18 | OCT. 26 

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Illinois high school football rankings

November 1, 2023

1. Lincoln-Way East (10-0)

Previous rank: 1 Last week: Def. Taft 55-0

Lincoln-Way East pitched its second consecutive shutout with its dominant first-round win over Taft on Friday to move on in the 8A bracket.

Next game: vs. Minooka (8-2), Nov. 3

2. Loyola Academy (10-0)

Previous rank: 3 Last week: Def. Plainfield North 45-9

The Ramblers remained undefeated and advanced in the 8A playoffs after a strong effort against Plainfield North. Junior quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald led the way, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another.

Next game: vs. Neuqua Valley (7-3), Nov. 4

3. Mount Carmel (9-1)

Previous rank: 2 Last week: Def. St. Rita 39-10

After a Week 9 loss to Loyola, Mount Carmel got back on track with a first-round victory over conference rival St. Rita. The Caravan got off to a fast start with 20 first-quarter points and Jack Elliott had another good game with 164 passing yards and a TD along with 88 rushing yards and another score.

Next game: vs. Prospect (8-2), Nov. 3

4. East St. Louis (7-2)

Previous rank: 4 Last week: Def. Lemont 61-0

After a week off to close the regular season, East St. Louis had an impressive showing in its opening round victory over Lemont. Senior quarterback Robert Battle was the game-breaker and accounted for six touchdowns in just three quarters.

Next game: vs. Normal West (8-2), Nov. 4

5. Hersey (10-0)

Previous rank: 5 Last week: Def. Wheaton-Warrenville South 28-19

Hersey passed a tough test against a scrappy Wheaton-Warrenville South squad with a nine-point victory on Friday. Senior running back Nasir McKenzie led the way for the Huskies with three rushing touchdowns, including a 73-yard scamper on the fourth play from scrimmage.

Next game: vs. No. 23 Downers Grove North (8-2), Nov. 4

6. Kankakee (10-0)

Previous rank: 6 Last week: Def. Bremen 29-6

The Kays opened up the 6A playoffs with a 29-6 victory over Bremen. Kankakee’s defense swarmed all over the field and allowed just 121 total yards and made it's 14-0 lead going into the half stand up.

Next game: vs. Eisenhower (7-3), Nov. 4

7. Batavia (9-1)

Previous rank: 7 Last week: Def. Brother Rice 46-0

The Bulldogs put forth a dominant effort in their 46-0 victory in the first round of the 7A playoffs. Senior quarterback and North Dakota State commit Ryan Boe put together another solid effort completing 10 of 13 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns paired with 78 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Next game: vs. Lincoln-Way Central (9-1), Nov. 4

8. Barrington (10-0)

Previous rank: 8 Last week: Def. Glenbrook South 42-18

Barrington came out on top of a first round matchup with conference foe Glenbrook South. Senior running back Dillion Fitzpatrick was the workhorse for the Broncos rushing for 223 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.

Next game: vs. Naperville Central (8-2), Nov. 4

9. York (9-1)

Previous rank: 9 Last week: Def. Homewood-Flossmoor 43-22

York cruised to a victory over a tough Homewood-Flossmoor squad in the first round of the 8A playoffs on Friday. Luke Mailander was the go-to guy for the Dukes and caught four passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns to spark the offense.

Next game: at Lyons Township (7-3), Nov. 4

10. Rochester (10-0)

Previous rank: 10 Last week: Def. Lincoln 59-14

The Rockets continued their undefeated season with a dominant victory over Lincoln to start off a hopeful 4A playoff run. Senior Parker Gillespie stood out for Rochester and accounted for four touchdowns (three rushing and one passing). The Rockets defense held strong and forced four Lincoln turnovers.

Next game: vs. Coal City (8-2), Nov. 3

Illinois high school football brackets: 2023 IHSA state playoffs matchups, game times

11. Glenbard South (9-1)

Previous rank: 11 Last week: Def. UIC Prep 54-0

Glenbard South was off and running early and put up 29 first quarter points in its lopsided 54-0 victory over UIC Prep. The Raider defense held strong all game and smothered the UIC Prep offense. Next up is a matchup with hot Nazareth Academy that pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the first round of the playoffs.

Next game: at Nazareth Academy (5-5), Nov. 4

12. Normal Community (10-0)

Previous rank: 12 Last week: Def. Argo 43-0

Normal meant business during its playoff opener against Argo on Friday. The Ironmen got off to a quick start with 21 first-quarter points followed by 22 points in the second quarter to initiate a running clock for the second half.

Next game: vs. Bradley-Bourbonnais (7-3), Nov. 4

13. Edwardsville (9-1)

Previous rank: 13 Last week: Def. West Aurora 35-14

With the game tied at 7 at halftime, Edwardsville pulled away with a strong second half effort to defeat West Aurora and advance in the 8A bracket. Senior quarterback and Southern Illinois commit Jake Curry led the effort with a touchdown pass and two rushing TDs. 

Next game: vs. No. 21 Glenbard West (8-2), Nov. 4

14. Morgan Park (8-1)

Previous rank: 14 Last week: Def. Corliss 34-12

After taking a 27-0 lead into the half, Morgan Park coasted the rest of the way to defeat 5A opponent Corliss on Saturday. Junior Jovan Clark led an impressive Mustang defensive effort with an interception and a fumble recovery. Quarterback Marcus Thaxton accounted for four touchdowns (three passing and one rushing).

Next game: vs. No. 20 Sycamore (9-1), Nov. 4

15. St. Francis (Wheaton) (8-2)

Previous rank: 15 Last week: Def. Rochelle 45-14

Senior quarterback Alessio Milivojevic led another explosive offensive effort for St. Francis in a 45-14 victory over Rochelle on Friday. The Ball State commit completed 20 of his 24 passes for 296 yards and five touchdowns to help the Spartans advance.

Next game: at Sterling (5-5), Nov. 4

16. IC Catholic Prep (8-2)

Previous rank: 17 Last week: Def. Geneseo 35-12

Last year's 3A champion and a 4A contender this season, IC Catholic began its playoff run with a victory over Geneseo on Friday. Senior running back Joey Gliatta paced the Knights offense with 147 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries.

Next game: at Boylan Catholic (9-1), Nov. 4

17. Maine South (9-1)

Previous rank: 18 Last week: Def. Lockport 35-0

Maine South passed its opening-round test in the 8A playoffs with a 35-0 victory over Lockport. Junior quarterback Constantine Coines showed off his dual-threat ability, passing for 300 yards and three touchdowns and running for 52 yards and two TDs.

Next game: vs. Belleville East (8-2), Nov. 3

18. Morris (10-0)

Previous rank: 19 Last week: Def. Tinley Park 56-6

Morris came away unscathed after a 56-6 victory over Tinley Park to move on in the 5A playoffs. The Redskins defense was the story as they allowed just 119 yards and the offense put up 49 points in the first half to get the clock running the rest of the way.

Next game: at Sacred Heart-Griffin (7-3), Nov. 4

19. Althoff (9-1)

Previous rank: 20 Last week: Def. Tuscola 76-41

Finding the end zone came easy for Althoff as the Crusaders ran wild during a 76-41 round-one victory over Tuscola. Antwan Strong had a remarkable performance as he rushed for 369 yards and six touchdowns to lead the way.

Next game: vs. LeRoy (9-1), Nov. 4

20. Sycamore (9-1)

Previous rank: 21 Last week: Def. Evergreen Park 42-13

After taking a 7-0 lead going into the second quarter, the Sycamore offense erupted for 21 second-quarter points to build a large lead in its 42-13 victory over Evergreen Park. Iowa commit Burke Gautcher impacted the game on both sides of the ball as he threw for three touchdowns and intercepted a pass on defense.

Next game: at No. 14 Morgan Park (9-1), Nov. 4 

Vote: Who should be SBLive's Illinois High School Athlete of the Week (10/30/2023)?

21. Glenbard West (8-2)

Previous rank: 22 Last week: Def. Naperville North 23-8

Glenbard West had the momentum from start to finish in its 23-8 victory over Naperville North to advance in the 8A playoff bracket. Mason Ellens returned the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown and the Hilltoppers led the rest of the way.

Next game: at No. 13 Edwardsville (9-1), Nov. 4

22. Joliet Catholic (7-3)

Previous rank: 23 Last week: Def. Peoria 40-16

Joliet Catholic made a statement with a 40-16 victory over reigning 5A runner-up Peoria on Friday. The Hilltoppers relied heavily on senior running back HJ Grigsby as he finished with 176 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries.

Next game: vs. Triad (7-3), Nov. 4

23. Downers Grove North (8-2)

Previous rank: 24 Last week: Def. Kenwood 42-13

With senior running back and linebacker Noah Battle healthy and back in the lineup for Downers Grove North, the Trojans dominated a talented Kenwood squad 42-13 in their 7A opener. Battle finished with 217 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on offense and also added an interception return for a TD.

Next game: at No. 5 Hersey (10-0), Nov. 4

24. Warren Township (8-2)

Previous rank: 25 Last week: Def. Oswego 39-3

Warren put together a dominant all-around effort during its dominant victory over Oswego to move on to the next round in the 7A bracket. The Blue Devils rushed for 310 yards and four touchdowns as a team, and the defense gave Oswego fits as they finished with five sacks.

Next game: at South Elgin (9-1), Nov. 4

25. Antioch (10-0)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. Englewood Stem 63-8

The Sequoits continued their undefeated season with a dominant 63-8 victory over Englewood Stem in the opening round of the 5A playoffs. Antioch got off to a fast start and never looked back as the clock was running for the entirety of the second half.

Next game: vs. Carmel (9-1), Nov. 4

Illinois high school football: Top standouts, best performances in Week 10 (10/28/2023)

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