Top 25 Illinois high school football rankings (11/9/2023)

Several big matchups on tap in the Illinois football quarterfinals this week

Mike Carpinelli | Nov 9, 2023

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

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Illinois high school football rankings

November 9, 2023

1. Lincoln-Way East (11-0)

Previous rank: 1 Last week: Def. Minooka 28-0

The Lincoln-Way East defense recorded its third straight shutout in a victory over Minooka to advance to the 8A quarterfinals. Caden O’Rourke led the effort with three sacks and helped the Griffins hold Minooka to -2 yards on the ground.

Next game: at No. 21 Warren Township (9-2), Nov. 11

2. Loyola Academy (11-0)

Previous rank: 2 Last week: Def. Neuqua Valley 33-6

The Ramblers got off to a fast start and took a 20-0 first quarter lead against Neuqua Valley in an 8A matchup. Loyola would coast the rest of the way to advance to the quarterfinals.

Next game: at No. 23 St. Ignatius (8-3), Nov. 11

3. Mount Carmel (10-1)

Previous rank: 3 Last week: Def. Prospect 49-15

Mount Carmel cruised to a 49-15 victory over Prospect in the second round of the 7A playoffs. Junior quarterback Jack Elliott had another solid performance as he accounted for five touchdowns to lead the scoring outburst.

Next game: at Quincy (11-0), Nov. 11

4. East St. Louis (8-2)

Previous rank: 4 Last week: Def. Normal West 54-7

Behind a high-powered offense, East St. Louis dominated in a 54-7 victory over Normal West. Junior running back Larevious Woods provided the spark with 184 yards on 17 carries and three first-half touchdowns to open up a big lead.

Next game: at No. 5 Kankakee (11-0), Nov. 11

5. Kankakee (11-0)

Previous rank: 6 Last week: Def. Eisenhower 49-35

Kankakee advanced to the 6A quarterfinals with a 49-35 victory over Eisenhower. After facing a 35-29 deficit at half, the Kays defense found its stride and shut down Eisenhower the rest of the way. Senior running back Tony Phillips led the way with three touchdowns on the ground.

Next game: vs. No. 4 East St. Louis (8-2), Nov. 11

6. Batavia (10-1)

Previous rank: 7 Last week: Def. Lincoln-Way Central 45-17

Batavia’s second half effort paved the way for a 45-17 victory over Lincoln-Way Central. The Bulldogs took a 21-10 lead into the break and pulled away with 21 points in the third quarter. Senior quarterback Ryan Boe had another impressive showing as he completed 18 of 26 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns.

Next game: at No. 25 Hononegah (11-0), Nov. 11

7. Barrington (11-0)

Previous rank: 8 Last week: Def. Naperville Central 28-21

Barrington was able to grind out a 28-21 victory over Naperville Central to remain undefeated and advance to the 8A quarterfinals. Senior running back Dillion Fitzpatrick was the workhorse for the Broncos and rushed 24 times for 175 yards and two touchdowns.

Next game: vs. No. 14 Maine South (10-1), Nov. 11

8. York (10-1)

Previous rank: 9 Last week: Def. Lyons Township 17-14

York escaped the second round of the 8A playoffs with a 17-14 victory over Lyons Township in a game that went down to the last drive. The Dukes went 67 yards in 17 plays to set up Damian Glodz game-winning field goal as time expired.

Next game: vs. No. 9 Edwardsville (10-1), Nov. 11

9. Edwardsville (10-1)

Previous rank: 13 Last week: Def. Glenbard West 48-14

Edwardsville made a statement with a dominant 48-14 victory over a tough Glenbard West squad on Saturday. Senior quarterback Jake Curry led the way for the Tigers as he accounted for four touchdowns.

Next game: at No. 8 York (10-1), Nov. 11

10. Rochester (11-0)

Previous rank: 10 Last week: Def. Coal City 45-3

The Rockets could not be stopped in their 45-3 victory over Coal City on Friday. Senior wide receiver Henry Buecker stole the show as he caught 11 passes for 183 yards and two scores along with a 56-yard touchdown run.

Next game: at Breese Central (9-2), Nov. 11

11. St. Francis (9-2)

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

The Spartans were again led by a stellar performance by senior quarterback Alessio Milivojevic in their 49-8 victory over Sterling. The Ball State commit tossed five touchdown passes and ran for another score in third quarters.

Next game: vs. No. 13 Morgan Park (10-1), Nov. 11

12. Normal Community (10-0)

Previous rank: 12 Last week: Def. Bradley-Bourbonnais 31-30

It took an extra overtime period for Normal to advance in its 31-30 victory over Bradley-Bourbonnais. Tommy Davis scored what proved to be the game-winner on a 3-yard run in Normal’s lone possession. After allowing a score, the Ironmen held strong on a 2-point conversion attempt.

Next game: at Glenbard East (10-1), Nov. 11

13. Morgan Park (10-1)

Previous rank: 14 Last week: Def. Sycamore 27-21

Facing an 11-point deficit at halftime, the Mustangs rallied for a victory with a thrilling second-half comeback to take down Sycamore. Junior quarterback Marcus Thaxton completed 12 of 14 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown along with a score on the ground to lead Morgan Park.

Next game: at No. 11 St. Francis (9-2), Nov. 11

14. Maine South (10-1)

Previous rank: 17 Last week: Def. Belleville East 33-21

Maine South advanced to the 8A quarterfinals with a 33-21 victory against a stubborn Belleville East team. Junior running back Michael Dellumo accounted for three touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter.

Next game: at No. 7 Barrington (11-0)

15. Downers Grove North (9-2)

Previous rank: 23 Last week: Def. Hersey 24-21

Downers Grove North overcame an 11-point deficit and shocked a previously unbeaten Hersey squad 24-21. Sophomore quarterback Owen Lansu led the second half charge throwing for 166 of his 187 yards and two touchdowns.

Next game: at Lincoln-Way West (9-2), Nov. 11

16. IC Catholic Prep (9-2)

Previous rank: 16 Last week: Def. Boylan Catholic 35-7

The Knights broke open a scoreless game with 21 second-quarter points and never looked back in their 35-7 victory over Boylan Catholic. Senior wideout KJ Parker was the playmaker for IC Catholic as he finished with 105 yards and two touchdowns on five catches.

Next game: at St. Laurence (8-3), Nov. 11

17. Morris (11-0)

Previous rank: 18 Last week: Def. Sacred Heart-Griffin 39-36

Morris pulled out a thrilling 39-36 victory over the Cyclones on Saturday. After the Redskins converted on a 4th-and-7 play with 4 minutes left, senior running back Jacob Swarz scored the game-winning touchdown just a few plays later. A 52-yard field goal attempt by the Cyclones fell just short as time expired.

Next game: at No. 20 Joliet Catholic (8-3), Nov. 11

18. Hersey (10-1)

Previous rank: 5 Last week: Lost to Downers Grove North 24-21

The Huskies led Downers Grove North by 11 points, but couldn't hold off a second-half surge and suffered their first loss of the season.

19. Althoff (10-1)

Previous rank: 19 Last week: Def. LeRoy 56-20

Althoff raced away with a 56-20 victory over LeRoy to advance in the 1A playoffs. Standout junior Dierre Hill Jr. led the way for the Crusaders with 177 rushing yards on nine carries and scored three first-half touchdowns to open up a big lead.

Next game: at Camp Point Central (11-0), Nov. 11

20. Joliet Catholic (8-3)

Previous rank: 23 Last week: Def. Triad 56-7

The Hilltoppers cruised to a dominant 56-7 victory over Triad on Saturday. Five different players found the end zone for Joliet Catholic and after opening up a 28-0 halftime lead, the Hilltoppers cruised the rest of the way.

Next game: at No. 17 Morris (11-0), Nov. 11

21. Warren Township (9-2)

Previous rank: 22 Last week: Def. South Elgin 51-21

Warren dominated its way to a 51-21 victory over South Elgin on Saturday. Sophomore running back Aaron Stewart led the Blue Devils with a huge performance on the ground as he rushed for 194 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries.

Next game: vs. No. 1 Lincoln-Way East (11-0), Nov. 11

22. Byron (11-0)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. Peotone 56-7

Byron continued its string of dominant wins with a 56-7 victory over Peotone to advance in the 3A playoffs. The Tigers took a 21-7 lead into the half and erupted for 28 points in the third quarter to initiate the running clock the rest of the way.

Next game: at Durand/Pecatonica (9-2), Nov. 11

23. St. Ignatius (8-3)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. Huntley 35-23

St. Ignatius battled its way to a 35-23 victory over Huntley on Friday. Senior defensive lineman Justin Scott, a five-star recruit committed to Ohio State, showed off his athleticism from the fullback position and ran for 68 yards on eight carries, including a touchdown with 6 minutes left to seal the win.

Next game: vs. No. 2 Loyola Academy (11-0), Nov. 11

24. Carmel (10-1)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. Antioch 50-7

The Corsairs were dominant in a 50-7 victory over a previously unbeaten Antioch squad on Saturday. Junior running back Donovan Dey led the charge with 229 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Next game: at Nazareth Academy (6-5), Nov. 11

25. Hononegah (11-0)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. Willowbrook 44-0

Special teams were the deciding factor during Hononegah’s 44-0 victory over Willowbrook on Saturday. The Indians had two return touchdowns and blocked a punt to keep the momentum on their side.

Next game: vs. No. 6 Batavia (10-1), Nov. 11

Published Nov 9, 2023

MIKE CARPINELLI