Top 25 Illinois high school football rankings (9/14/2023)

Undefeated York makes a big jump in the Illinois Power 25

Undefeated York and Kankakee both jumped into the Top 10 in this week's SBLive Illinois Power 25 high school football rankings. 

• PREVIOUS RANKINGS: PRESEASON | AUG. 30 | SEPT. 7 

SBLive Illinois Power 25 high school football rankings

September 14, 2023

1. Lincoln-Way East (3-0)

Previous rank: 1 Last week: Def. Neuqua Valley 35-7

Lincoln-Way East secured a dominant win at home against Neuqua Valley on Friday. Junior running back Zion Gist led the LWE offense with 155 total yards and three touchdowns and the defense held strong and did not allow a score until midway through the fourth quarter.

Next game: vs. Bradley-Bourbonnais (3-0), Sept. 15

2. Mount Carmel (3-0)

Previous rank: 2 Last week: Def. Niles Notre Dame 35-0

Mount Carmel was rolling right out of the gate against Niles Notre Dame as the Caravan took a 35-0 lead into the half and cruised the rest of the way. The strong and stingy Mount Carmel defense held the Dons offense in check all night.

Next game: vs. No. 6 St. Rita (3-0), Sept. 15

3. Loyola Academy (3-0)

Previous rank: 5 Last week: Def. Marist 34-7

It was all Loyola Academy in its CCL/ESCC crossover matchup at Marist on Friday. Junior quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald led the way for the Ramblers with 225 passing yards and a touchdown to go along with 36 yards and a score on the ground.

Next game: vs. No. 13 Brother Rice (2-1), Sept. 16

4. IC Catholic Prep (3-0)

Previous rank: 4 Last week: Def. Benet 34-0

IC Catholic Prep got the run game going in an impressive effort against Benet at Benedictine University on Friday. Senior running back Joey Gliatta carried the load and followed a strong offensive line rushing for 108 yards and 3 scores all in the first half.

Next game: vs. Nazareth Academy (0-3), Sept. 15

5. East St. Louis (1-2)

Previous rank: 3 Last week: Lost 43-13 at Atascocita (Texas)

Visiting East St. Louis could not get in a rhythm as the Flyers fell behind early against national powerhouse Atascocita (Humble, Texas) on Saturday. Atascocita erupted for an impressive 29 first quarter points and cruised the rest of the way.

Next game: vs. Belleville East (3-0), Sept. 16

6. St. Rita (3-0)

Previous rank: 10 Last week: Def. No. 9 Joliet Catholic 20-10

After trailing 10-0 at half on the road, St. Rita scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to come from behind and escape with a victory at Joliet Catholic. Senior quarterback Jett Hilding led the comeback with a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown.

Next game: at No. 2 Mount Carmel (3-0), Sept. 15

7. Hersey (3-0)

Previous Rank: 8 Last week: Def. Glenbrook North 42-0

The Hersey offense had another strong showing behind junior quarterback Colton Gumino. Gumino threw for four touchdowns and ran for another against Glenbrook North, marking back-to-back five-touchdown performances. The Hersey defense was relentless all game and did not allow any points on the board.

Next game: vs. Vernon Hills (1-2), Sept. 14

8. York (3-0)

Previous rank: 15 Last week: Def. Downers Grove South 47-7

York was dominant against non-conference foe Downers Grove South and extended its regular-season winning streak to 14 games. Quarterback Sean Winton threw for 201 yards and found Luke Mailander for two touchdown passes. The dominant Dukes' defense did not allow Downers Grove South to get on the board until the fourth quarter.

Next game: vs. Oak Park-River Forest (1-2), Sept. 15

9. Joliet Catholic (2-1)

Previous rank: 7 Last week: Lost 20-10 to No. 6 St. Rita 20-10

Joliet Catholic dropped a hard fought game to St. Rita on Friday night. After taking a 10-0 lead into halftime, the offense wasn't able to score again in the second half and the Hilltoppers could not hold off a fierce Mustang comeback effort in the fourth quarter.

Next game: vs. Niles Notre Dame (2-1), Sept. 15

10. Kankakee (3-0)

Previous rank: 12 Last week: Def. Thornridge 81-0

Kankakee scored early and often against Thornridge on Friday. In the first 8 minutes of the game, Kankakee scored seven touchdowns – four on offense and three on defense). Kankakee set a school record for points scored in a game. The Kays were led by Tony Phillips, who ran for 118 yards and four touchdowns.

Next game: vs. Riverside-Brookfield (3-0), Sept. 15

11. Bolingbrook (2-1)

Previous rank: 6 Last week: Lost 51-49 to Naperville North

Bolingbrook lost a heartbreaker in the final seconds to Naperville North on a game-winning field goal. Standout sophomore quarterback Jonas Williams gave the Raiders a chance and threw for 355 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Next game: at Homewood-Flossmoor (2-1), Sept. 15

12. Glenbard South (3-0)

Previous rank: 14 Last week: Def. Larkin 35-0

Glenbard South was led by another outstanding performance by Notre Dame commit Cam Williams in its 35-0 win at Larkin. The senior caught two touchdown passes from Michael Champagne, rushed for another score and got in on the shutout effort on defense by intercepting a pass.

Next game: vs. Streamwood (1-2), Sept. 15

13. Brother Rice (2-1)

Previous Rank: 13 Last week: Def. St. Ignatius 28-6

Brother Rice bounced back from a Week 2 loss with a dominant effort against St. Ignatius in a CCL/ESCC crossover matchup. The Crusaders defense was disruptive, forced multiple turnovers and had the St. Ignatius offense on its heels all night.

Next game: at No. 3 Loyola Academy (3-0), Sept. 16

14. Batavia (2-1)

Previous rank: 16 Last week: Def. Lake Park 47-21

The Batavia offense came to play on Friday as the Bulldogs put up 47 points on the road at Lake Park. Seeing action in just the first half, Ryan Boe led the way and threw for 253 yards and three scores before being relieved in the second half.

Next game: at St. Charles North (2-1), Sept. 15

15. Downers Grove North (3-0)

Previous rank: 18 Last week: Def. Glenbard West 31-0

Downers Grove North snapped a 16-game win streak against Glenbard West behind workhorse running back Noah Battle. The senior two-way standout rushed for 198 yards and three scores, including 146 yards and two touchdowns in the second half.

Next game: vs. Proviso West (0-3), Sept. 15

16. Barrington (3-0)

Previous rank: 17 Last week: Def. Glenbrook South 27-19

With the win on Friday, Barrington coach Joe Sanchez became the winningest head coach in Mid-Suburban Conference history with the win over Glenbrook South. The Broncos offense was led by twins Dillon and Conor Fitzpatrick as Dillon totaled three touchdowns – two rushing and one receiving – and Conor hauled in a 28-yard touchdown pass. Devan Van Ness led the defensive effort with five sacks.

Next game: vs. New Trier (1-2), Sept. 14

17. Sycamore (3-0)

Previous rank: 22 Last week: Def. Woodstock 42-0

Sycamore kept its undefeated season rolling with a convincing 42-0 victory at Woodstock on Friday. After getting out to a comfortable 21-0 first quarter lead on touchdown runs by three different players, the Spartans' defense never let up and completed the shutout.

Next game: at Ottawa (2-1), Sept. 15

18. Rochester (3-0)

Previous rank: 23 Last week: Def. MacArthur 49-21

Rochester rolled to a statement victory over MacArthur on Friday. The Rockets got out to a 21-0 first half lead and never looked back. Junior quarterback Bryan Zulauf tossed four touchdown passes and the Rocket defense had two interceptions.

Next game: vs. Jacksonville (2-1), Sept. 15

19. Edwardsville (3-0)

Previous rank: 20 Last week: Def. Soldan International Studies/Sumner 47-6 (St. Louis)

Edwardsville rolled to a convincing 47-6 victory at home against out of state opponent Soldan/Sumner (St. Louis) on Friday. Jake Curry threw an 84-yard touchdown on just the second play of the game and that TD sparked a 34-point first quarter for the Tigers. Curry finished his night with 189 yards and five touchdowns – all in the first quarter.

Next game: at O’Fallon (2-1), Sept. 15

20. Morgan Park (2-1)

Previous rank: 21 Last week: Def. Whitney Young 34-7

Morgan Park came out hot with 22 first quarter points and never looked back against Chicago Public-Red Conference rival Whitney Young. Led by quarterback Marcus Thaxton (335 yards and four touchdowns) and his favorite target Chris Durr (six receptions for 141 yards and two TDs) the Morgan Park offense could not be stopped.

Next game: vs. Phillips (2-1), Sept. 14

21. Naperville North (2-1)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. No. 11 Bolingbrook 51-49

Naperville North rallied to a 51-49 upset victory on the road against Bolingbrook on Friday. Cole Arl led the charge with 314 rushing yards and three touchdowns along with a 55-yard touchdown reception. Junior kicker Tyler Duewel was the hero as he converted a game-winning 20-yard field goal on the final play of the game to seal the win.

Next game: vs. Neuqua Valley (1-2), Sept. 15

22. Althoff (3-0)

Previous rank: 25 Last week: Def. Centralia 61-33

After trailing 20-19 at the break, Althoff ran wild for 42 second half points against Centralia to secure its 3-0 start. Standout junior Dierre Hill Jr. led the way in all phases of the game as he finished with 264 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Next game: vs. St. Dominic (Mo.) (3-0), Sept. 15

23. St. Francis (Wheaton) (2-1)

Previous rank: 24 Last week: Def. St. Laurence 42-28

St. Francis fought hard for a 42-28 victory over St. Laurence on Friday. Senior quarterback and Ball State commit Alessio Milivojevic threw four touchdown passes in the first half to lead the Spartans offense and the defense closed out strong and did not allow a score in the fourth quarter.

Next game: at Fenwick (2-1), Sept. 15

24. Lockport (3-0)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. Naperville Central 31-23

Lockport won a thriller at home against Naperville Central on Friday. Kicker Nate Blezewski tied the game with 1 second left in regulation on a booming 48-yard field goal. Kevin Holland led the Porter offense with six catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns, including his game-winning 9-yard touchdown reception from Drew Gallagher in overtime.

Next game: at Sandburg (2-1), Sept. 15

25. Wheaton North (2-1)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. St. Charles North 35-23

Wheaton North opened DuKane Conference play with a victory at home over St. Charles North on Friday. With the game knotted at 21-21 going into the fourth quarter, Wheaton North finished strong with two fourth quarter touchdowns to come out on top.

Next game: at St. Charles East (1-2), Sept. 15 

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- Mike Carpinelli