Top 25 Illinois high school football rankings (9/20/2023)

Three schools enter this week's SBLive Illinois Power 25

Normal Community, Prairie Ridge and Maine South enter this week's SBLive Illinois Power 25 high school football rankings. 

• PREVIOUS RANKINGS: PRESEASON | AUG. 30 | SEPT. 7 | SEPT. 14 

SBLive Illinois Power 25 high school football rankings

September 20, 2023

1. Lincoln-Way East (4-0)

Previous rank: 1 Last week: Def. Bradley-Bourbonnais 27-3

Another dominant defensive effort propelled Lincoln-Way East to a 27-3 win over Bradley Bourbonnais on Friday. Senior defensive back Jashawn Echols intercepted two passes and quarterback Braden Tischer threw two touchdown passes to lead the way.

Next game: at Andrew (3-1), Sept. 22

2. Mount Carmel (4-0)

Previous rank: 2 Last week: Def. No. 6 St. Rita 38-7

The Caravan rolled to a convincing victory over CCL/ESCC Blue rival St. Rita. Wisconsin commit Darrion Dupree led the offense with two rushing touchdowns and a receiving score. After allowing a first quarter touchdown to the Mustangs, Mount Carmel’s defense did not allow a score the rest of the way.

Next game: vs. Carmel (Mundelein) (4-0), Sept. 22

3. Loyola Academy (4-0)

Previous rank: 3 Last week: Def. Brother Rice 41-24

Junior quarterback and first-year starter Ryan Fitzgerald continued to prove himself for the Ramblers as he completed 13 of 19 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns against a solid Brother Rice defense. 

Next game: vs. St. Patrick (1-3), Sept. 23

4. IC Catholic Prep (4-0)

Previous rank: 4 Last week: Def. Nazareth Academy 36-34 in OT

Trailing 28-21 with 7 minutes to go, the Knights were able to get the game-tying score with just 1:14 left to play to force overtime. In their first possession in OT, IC Catholic was able to score and convert on the 2-point conversion. Then the Knights stopped Nazareth Academy’s 2-point conversion on the ensuing possession to secure the win.

Next game: vs. Marist (1-3), Sept. 22

5. East St. Louis (2-2)

Previous rank: 5 Last week: Def. Belleville East 48-0

After two straight games against out-of-state opponents, East St. Louis settled back into their in-state schedule with a dominant 48-0 Southwestern Conference victory over Belleville East. Junior RB TaRyan Martin led the effort with three rushing touchdowns.

Next game: vs. O’Fallon (2-2), Sept. 23

6. Hersey (4-0)

Previous rank: 7 Last week: Def. Vernon Hills 67-0

Hersey continued its hot start to the season with a 67-0 win in a MSL-CSL crossover matchup with Vernon Hills. Junior quarterback Colton Gumino continued his strong start to the season with four first half touchdown passes.

Next game: at Buffalo Grove (3-1), Sept. 22

7. York (4-0)

Previous rank: 8 Last week: Def. Oak Park-River Forest 56-28

The York offense could not be stopped during their West Suburban-Silver Conference matchup with Oak Park-River Forest. The Dukes used a balanced attack as quarterback Sean Winton finished the game with three touchdown passes and running back Jake Melion rushed for 156 yards and two scores.

Next game: at Hinsdale Central (1-3), Sept. 22

8. St. Rita

Previous rank: 6 Last week: Lost 38-7 to No. 2 Mount Carmel

After a 69-yard touchdown pass from Jett Hilding to Jimmie Maxson on the first drive of the game, the Mustangs' offense was held in check by a talented Mount Carmel defense.

Next game: vs. Marmion (2-2), Sept. 22

9. Joliet Catholic (3-1)

Previous rank: 9 Last week: Def. Niles Notre Dame 28-13

Joliet Catholic bounced back from its Week 3 defeat with a 28-13 CCL/ESCC Green victory over Niles Notre Dame. Senior running back HJ Grigsby did the heavy lifting for the offense and finished with 115 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.

Next game: at St. Francis (Wheaton) (2-2), Sept. 22

10. Kankakee (4-0)

Previous rank: 10 Last week: Def. Riverside-Brookfield 48-6

Kankakee had a dominant victory over Southland Conference rival Riverside-Brookfield on Friday. Quarterback Larenz Walters was extremely efficient and finished 21 of 24 passing for 208 yards and 3 touchdowns and the Kays also rushed for another 4 touchdowns as a team.

Next game: at Thornwood (0-4), Sept. 22

11. Glenbard South (4-0)

Previous rank: 12 Last week: Def. Streamwood 57-6

Glenbard South’s offense was firing on all cylinders again behind quarterback Michael Champagne. The senior was 5-for-8 passing for 118 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 101 yards and another score as the Raiders rolled.

Next game: vs. Bartlett (2-2), Sept. 22

12. Downers Grove North (4-0)

Previous rank: 15 Last week: Def. Proviso West 49-6

Downers Grove North continued its undefeated season with a 49-6 West Suburban-Silver Conference victory over Proviso West. The Trojans were rolling from the start as they took a 42-0 lead into the half before taking out their starters.

Next game: at Oak Park-River Forest (1-3), Sept. 22

13. Batavia (3-1)

Previous rank: 14 Last week: Def. St. Charles North 45-21

The Bulldogs had a stellar performance on the road against DuKane Conference rival St. Charles North on Friday. The Bulldogs rushed for 321 yards as a team behind solid offensive line play and quarterback Ryan Boe added 190 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Next game: vs. No. 23 Wheaton North (3-1), Sept. 22

14. Barrington (4-0)

Previous rank: 16 Last week: Def. New Trier 22-14

The Broncos prevailed in a non conference matchup with New Trier on Friday night. After a scoreless first quarter, Barrington put up 15 points before the half and led the whole way from there. Senior running back provided the spark with his 2 rushing touchdowns.

Next game: vs. Fremd (1-3), Sept. 23

15. Bolingbrook (3-1)

Previous rank: 11 Last week: Def. Homewood-Flossmoor 21-14

Bolingbrook narrowly escaped with a victory on the road against Southwest Suburban-Blue rival Homewood-Flossmoor. With the game tied 14-14 going into the fourth quarter, Bolingbrook was able to cross the goal line with under 10 minutes to play to take the lead and the defense held strong the rest of the way. 

Next game: at Lincoln-Way West (3-1), Sept. 22

16. Sycamore (4-0)

Previous rank: 17 Last week: Def. Ottawa 48-0

Sycamore improved to 4-0 with a conference win over Ottawa. Running back Tyler Curtis returned a punt 42 yards for a touchdown and he added 97 yards and another score on seven carries. Kyle Prebil led the defensive effort with a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown and he helped hold Ottawa to just 127 total yards.

Next game: vs. Rochelle (3-1), Sept. 22

17. Brother Rice (2-2)

Previous rank: 13 Last week: Lost 41-24 to No. 3 Loyola Academy

Brother Rice could not get into a rhythm against CCL/ESCC Blue rival Loyola Academy on Saturday. Navy recruit Randall Nauden provided most of the offense on the day for Brother Rice with 136 yards rushing on 21 carries and two touchdowns.

Next game: vs. Saint Viator (3-1), Sept. 22

18. Rochester (4-0)

Previous rank: 18 Last week: Def. Jacksonville 56-0

The Rockets cruised to a 56-0 Central State Eight Conference victory over Jacksonville on Friday. Junior quarterback Bryan Zulauf commanded the Rochester offense and completed 11-of-13 passes for 326 yards and five touchdowns.

Next game: vs. Decatur Eisenhower (1-3), Sept. 22

19. Edwardsville (4-0)

Previous rank: 19 Last week: Def. O’Fallon 47-14

Edwardsville rolled to a 47-14 victory over Southwestern Conference rival O’Fallon on Friday. Senior quarterback and Southern Illinois commit Jake Curry led the Tigers with three touchdown passes and scored another two on the ground.

Next game: at Belleville West (2-2), Sept. 22

20. Morgan Park (3-1)

Previous rank: 20 Last week: Def. Phillips 24-20

Morgan Park escaped a Thursday Chicago Public League matchup with Phillips with a 24-20 victory. Running back Keshawn Lewis-Hunt was the difference for the Mustangs as he rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 4:31 left.

Next game: vs. Perspectives Leadership/IIT/Joslin/Tech (1-3), Sept. 23

21. Normal Community (4-0)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. Peoria 63-42

The Ironmen continued their undefeated start with a 63-42 victory over Big Twelve Conference rival Peoria on Saturday. Normal scored 21 points in each of the first three quarters to build the lead.

Next game: vs. Bloomington (3-1), Sept. 22

22. Prairie Ridge (4-0)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. Huntley 27-14

After falling behind 14-13 going into the half, Prairie Ridge came out and played a flawless second half on the defensive side of the ball and put up 14 unanswered points to seal the victory over Fox Valley Conference rival Huntley. Joey Vanderweil was a key performer on offense rushing for 84 yards and 2 first half touchdowns.

Next game: at Cary-Grove (4-0), Sept. 22

23. Wheaton North (3-1)

Previous rank: 25 Last week: Def. St. Charles East 35-14

The Falcons won their DuKane conference matchup with St. Charles East in convincing fashion on Friday. The Wheaton North defense forced two first quarter turnovers, both leading to touchdowns, to build an early lead. Joe Barna was a factor on both sides of the ball with two sacks and a receiving touchdown.

Next game: at No. 13 Batavia (3-1), Sept. 22

24. Maine South (3-1)

Previous rank: NR Last week: Def. Fremd 24-7

Maine South was able to get by Fremd in a non conference bout on Friday night. Junior running back Michael Dellumo paced the Hawks offense with 138 yards and two touchdowns. The defense put up an impressive performance and forced 2 Viking turnovers.

Next game: at New Trier (1-3), Sept. 22

25. Althoff (3-1)

Previous rank: 22 Last week: Lost 34-19 to St. Dominic (Mo.) 34-19

Althoff Catholic fell to Missouri opponent St. Dominic on Friday. Despite the loss, highly touted junior Dierre Hill continued his string of solid performances with 162 rushing yards and a touchdown, 45 receiving yards, and a passing touchdown.

Next game: at Marquette Catholic (1-3), Sept. 22

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- Mike Carpinelli