SBLive Illinois Power 25 Week 12 high school football rankings: St. Rita moves into Top 10

By Mike Carpinelli

Here is a look at the latest SBLive Illinois Power 25 high school football rankings.

SBLIVE ILLINOIS POWER 25 FOOTBALL RANKINGS:

November 15, 2022

1. East St. Louis (10-2)

Last week: 1

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, at No. 5 Lemont (12-0)

Ranking rationale: East St. Louis continued its dominance in the 6A playoffs with a 45-0 win over previously No. 13 ranked Crete-Monee. The Flyers have yet to give up a point during the playoffs.

2. Mount Carmel (12-0)

Last week: 2

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, at No. 10 St. Rita (10-2)

Ranking rationale: The Caravan remained undefeated after a quarterfinal victory over conference rival Brother Rice. Mount Carmel scored 33 second quarter points en route to a 48-12 win.

3. Loyola Academy (11-1)

Last week: 3

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, at No. 7 York (12-0)

Ranking rationale: The Ramblers had a solid showing against last week’s 20th-ranked team, Lyons Township. Loyola took a 27-10 lead into the fourth quarter and finished with a 30-17 victory to move on to a top-ten 8A semifinal matchup against York.

4. Lincoln-Way East (12-0)

Last week: 4

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, vs. No. 8 Glenbard West (11-1)

Ranking rationale: Lincoln-Way East held previously Top-Ten team Warren Township scoreless until the fourth quarter en route to a 35-14 victory. They will have another challenge when they host another Top-Ten opponent, Glenbard West on Saturday.

5. Lemont (12-0)

Last week: 5

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, vs. No. 1 East St. Louis (10-2)

Ranking rationale: Lemont preserved their undefeated season against a talented Kenwood Academy team with a 14-0 shutout victory. They will face off against top-ranked East St. Louis in a heavyweight matchup at home on Saturday.

6. Sacred Heart-Griffin (12-0)

Last week: 6

Next game: Friday, Nov. 18, vs. Rochester (11-1)

Ranking rationale: It was all Sacred Heart-Griffin in its quarterfinal victory over Murphysboro as the Cyclones returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and never looked back during a 51-13 win. Sacred Heart-Griffin will host Rochester in the 4A semifinals on Friday night in a rematch of their season opener in which SHG won 61-27.

7. York (12-0)

Last week: 7

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, vs. No. 3 Loyola Academy (11-1)

Ranking rationale: York was able to shut down a very good Palatine offense during its 24-10 8A quarterfinal win. The Dukes secured their 12th win and moved on to their third semifinal appearance in school history where they will host third-ranked Loyola Academy.

8. Glenbard West (11-1)

Last week: 8

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, at No. 4 Lincoln-Way East (12-0)

Ranking rationale: The Hilltoppers were able to escape with a 37-34 thrilling victory over previously 12th-ranked Maine South during their 8A quarterfinal matchup. Glenbard West will travel to fourth-ranked Lincoln-Way East on Saturday for a bid at a spot in the title game.

9. Prairie Ridge (11-1)

Last week: 10

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, vs. No. 20 St. Ignatius (10-2)

Ranking rationale: Prairie Ridge quarterback Tyler Vasey has been putting together a historical performance in the 6A playoffs and it was no different in the Wolves’ 69-28 quarterfinal victory over Harlem in which he rushed for a 6A state playoff-record 481 yards and eight touchdowns. Prairie Ridge will have a tough test against a strong St. Ignatius defense on Saturday.

10. St. Rita (10-2)

Last week: 11

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, vs. No. 2 Mount Carmel (12-0)

Ranking rationale: The St. Rita defense and special teams units led the way with two scores and multiple forced turnovers in their 28-7 victory over previously No. 16-ranked St. Charles North. St. Rita will host conference archrival, Mount Carmel, in a win-or-go-home 7A semifinal matchup.

11. Sycamore (12-0)

Last week: 18

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, vs. No. 25 Nazareth Academy (8-4)

Ranking rationale: The Spartans kept their undefeated record alive with a 28-0 quarterfinal victory over Sterling. The Sycamore defense has shut out their last two playoff opponents and they will host a tough Nazareth Academy opponent in their 5A semifinal matchup on Saturday.

12. Lake Zurich (11-1)

Last week: 17

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, vs. No. 15 Batavia (9-3)

Ranking rationale: Although it was a slow start for Lake Zurich, they came back from a 21-7 late third quarter deficit against last week’s 22nd ranked team and previously undefeated Pekin to win by a score of 29-27. They will host Batavia in the 7A semifinals on Saturday.

13. Rochester (11-1)

Last week: NR

Next game: Friday, Nov. 18, at No. 6 Sacred Heart-Griffin (12-0)

Ranking rationale: Rochester took care of the 4A top seed, Carterville, by a score of 41-28 during the quarterfinals. The Rockets have won 11 games in a row since their loss to Sacred Heart-Griffin in their season opener, and will look for revenge when they travel to Springfield to take on the Cyclones on Friday Night.

14. Morris (10-2)

Last week: NR

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, at Peoria (11-1)

Ranking rationale: Morris handled last week’s 14th ranked team in Mahomet-Seymour by a score of 35-14 to move on to the 5A semifinals. Morris will travel to take on Peoria on Saturday.

15. Batavia (9-3)

Last week: 23

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, at No. 12 Lake Zurich (11-1)

Ranking rationale: Batavia has hit their stride and have held playoff opponents to under 7 points per game thus far. During their 7A quarterfinal game against last week’s 19th ranked team, Yorkville, they won by a score of 17-6 thanks to a blocked punt and 2 forced turnovers.

16. Maine South (10-2)

Last week: 12

Ranking rationale: Maine South was eliminated by No. 8 Glenbard West.

17. Crete-Monee (10-2)

Last week: 13

Ranking rationale: Crete-Monee was eliminated by No. 1 East St. Louis (10-2).

18. IC Catholic Prep (11-1)

Last week: NR

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, vs. Byron (11-1)

Ranking rationale: IC Catholic moved on after its 27-20 victory in overtime in the 3A quarterfinals against a previously unbeaten Princeton team. They will host Byron in the semifinals for a chance to move on to the state title game in Champaign.

19. Palatine (10-2)

Last week: 15

Ranking rationale: Palatine was eliminated by No. 12 Lake Zurich.

20. St. Ignatius (10-2)

Last week: NR

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, at No. 9 Prairie Ridge (11-1)

Ranking rationale: St. Ignatius won its 6A quarterfinal matchup against Niles Notre Dame by a score of 31-6. With a tough defense and solid rushing attack, this week’s No. 20 team will hope to slow down host Prairie Ridge in the semifinals on Saturday.

21. St. Francis (Wheaton) (11-1)

Last week: NR

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, vs Providence Catholic (8-4)

Ranking rationale: A team with talent at all positions, St. Francis took down Rochelle by a score of 35-16 in the 4A quarterfinals (the first points allowed in postseason play). St. Francis will host Providence Catholic in a matchup to go to state on Saturday.

22. St. Charles North (10-2)

Last week: 16

Ranking rationale: St. Charles North was eliminated by No. 10 St. Rita.

23. Lyons Township (10-2)

Last week: 20

Ranking rationale: Lyons Township was eliminated by No. 3 Loyola Academy.

24. Wheaton North (9-2)

Last week: 21

Ranking rationale: Wheaton North was eliminated in the second round by No. 12 Lake Zurich.

25. Nazareth Academy (8-4)

Last week: NR

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 19, at No. 11 Sycamore (12-0)

Ranking rationale: After battling injuries and a tough schedule during the regular season, a young Nazareth squad has found their stride in the playoffs. They defeated a fast and talented Morgan Park team (No. 2 seed in 5A) in the quarterfinals by a convincing score of 29-0. They will travel to take on a tough undefeated Sycamore team in the semifinals.

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