Updated: November 23, 2009, 5:47 PM ET
High school football rankings
| Team Name | Record | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Maine South | (13-0) | Maine South will be shooting for its second consecutive state championship on Saturday. The Hawks won their 27th game in a row as quarterback Tyler Benz and the Hawks' defense stepped up in a 21-14 win over Loyola. (previously ranked No. 1) |
| 2. Wheaton Warrenville South | (12-1) | The Tigers are playing as well anyone in the state right now. Their defense was impressive in their 34-15 win over East St. Louis in the Class 7A semis. (2) |
| 3. Glenbard West | (13-0) | The Hilltoppers needed a last-second touchdown pass from Tyler Warden to Mark Hiben to defeat Lake Zurich 21-17 in the 7A semis. It was the first time in a while that Glenbard West had been tested. (3) |
| 4. Providence | (12-1) | The Celtics continued to perform their magic as they overcame a 14-10 deficit to defeat previously unbeaten Danville on the road. Providence scored three times in the second half to win 30-21. (4) |
| 5. Cary-Grove | (13-0) | The Trojans have rolled through their competition on their way to the 6A championship game. They defeated Prairie Ridge 40-7 in the semis. (6) |
| 6. Joliet Catholic | (11-2) | The Hilltoppers had no trouble with Peoria Richwoods as they won 54-7 in the 5A semis. Malin Jones had four touchdowns in the win. (8) |
| 7. Marist | (11-2) | The RedHawks have been the biggest surprise of the playoffs. A last-second field goal gave Marist a 17-14 win over Glenbard North in the 7A semifinals. (9) |
| 8. Loyola | (11-2) | The Ramblers gave Maine South its toughest game of the season in the Class 8A semis. Loyola's defense was among the best in the state this season. (7) |
| 9. Lake Zurich | (9-4) | The Bears nearly added another upset to their list against Glenbard West in the 7A semis. Running back Jacob Brinlee put together a memorable playoff run. (10) |
| 10. Glenbard North | (11-2) | The Panthers fell just short of the Class 7A state championship game against Marist. Glenbard North's defense had six shutouts this season. (7) |
| 11. Montini | (9-4) | The Broncos have been a different team since the playoffs began. The play of quarterback Brandon Pechloff has been a major reason for that. Montini will play Joliet Catholic in the Class 5A state championship game. (19) |
| 12. St. Rita | (9-3) | The Mustangs saw their season end with a loss to Wheaton Warrenville South in the quarterfinals. St. Rita could be the early favorite for next year as it returns running back Jahwon Akui and defensive end Bruce Gaston. (11) |
| 13. Fremd | (11-1) | ): The Vikings had been perfect until they fell to Marist in the quarterfinals. Evan Wright was among the top running backs in the state this season. (12) |
| 14. Hinsdale Central | (7-3) | The Red Devils' season was cut short in the opening round of the playoffs as they were without All-State quarterback John Whitelaw, who had suffered a concussion the week before. Hinsdale Central's offense put up a lot of points this season. (NR) |
| 15. Glenbrook South | (9-3) | The Titans' problem was it ran into top-ranked Maine South twice this season. Glenbrook South's offense was among the best in the area. (13) |
| 16. Downers Grove South | (9-3) | The Mustangs' season ended in the 7A quarterfinals against Glenbard North. Quarterback Chandler Whitmer had a stellar season. (14) |
| 17. Mount Carmel | (8-4) | The Caravan's season ended with their loss to Loyola in the quarterfinals. It was a bumpy season for Mount Carmel, but it still advanced far. (15) |
| 18. Bolingbrook | (9-2) | The Raiders lost to Downers Grove South in a rematch of an earlier game this season. Bolingbrook's defense had four Division I players this season. (NR) |
| 19. Stevenson | (10-1) | The Patriots were perfect before they were upset by Mount Carmel on the road in a close game in the second round. Stevenson running back Mark Weisman was among the best in the state this year. (20) |
| 20. Lemont | (10-2) | The Indians lost to Danville in the quarterfinals. Danny Hayes was one of the top running backs in the area this season. (16) |
| Falling out of the Top 20: Prairie Ridge (17), Woodstock (18) | ||
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