The Official Unbiased Top Ten week 8

[Cross Bones]

Solid week for TOUTT with only 1 L

1. ESL (6-1) - Flyers continue their destruction of conference foes. Their supporters ask if their conference is affecting their algorithm; yes it is, but this isn't the algorithm.

2. Loyola (7-0) - The triple option turned into zero options quickly for Iggy Saturday in Wilmette as Loyola continued to beat people by 31 points. How much of a challenge does IC present? Will the Ramblers get caught looking ahead to week 9?

3. LWE (7-0) - Griffins handled business with me in attendance at LWC. The most adversity faced? No pizza or glizzies at the concession stand at half time. How? Can Lockport present a challenge this week?

4. Hersey (7-0) - Against Elk Grove 71-0. How tested are the Huskies even? One more week till we get an answer.

5. Rice (5-2) - Handled the Friar of Fenwick and get a bit of a breather this week against DePaul Prep before some Pulaski thing in week 9.

6. Prospect (7-0) - Wheeling was the latest victim. One week closer to week 9 where we learn something about these Knights

7. MC (5-2) - Caravan played with it's food a little allowing Providence to tie the score at 14 before pummeling the Celtics for the rest of the game. Double flea flicker and circus catch on 4th and long aside, there's something so 90's and 00's about MC playing PC followed by JCA. Can the Hillmen defense hold up?

8. Bolingbrook (6-1) - It was good to see Raiders ease up on the scoring compared to last year against the playoff bound Steelmen. The next two weeks will tell if the offense is on track and what supporters expected in August. They looked mighty good in week 6.

9. Oswego (6-1) - Still chugging along without the star RB as the Panthers score 62. They'll have to lock in with their two biggest rivals the next two weeks

10. IC (7-0) - IC finally made it to the big show. The people want to know if the starters will play against Loyola and will they keep it competitive.

 

[DirtySixThirty]

@Cross Bones - I think this is the week that I'll be so bold as to offer my own list.

1. Loyola
So far untested against the state's toughest schedule, which includes four other teams on this list.

2. Lincoln-Way East
I'm a llittle perplexed by the close win over Kankakee, but they've otherwise looked great with wins over two other top-ten teams.

3. Brother Rice
The bad news is that they've lost two games, but the goods news is that those games were against the state's two best teams (and they were both close).

4. East St. Louis
Their win over Mt. Carmel has waned in significance, and their conference is BAD.

5. Mt. Carmel
They've been underwhelming this year, but it counts for something that their only losses are against teams higher on this list.

6. Immaculate Conception
The thing that some people don't seem to understand is that this is a school with a real enrollment under 300, and according to one figure I saw, a varsity roster of 31. The football talent per capita at this school is simply off the charts. Would they beat anyone higher on this list? I doubt it, but it's really something that such a small school would probably be the favorite in any division up to 6A.

7. St. Ignatius
Quietly having a great year, with their only losses being to Loyola and IC (and having led the latter in the fourth quarter). They're in the unfortunate position of being locked into 8A due to enrollment.

8. Homewood-Flossmoor
I'm confused by the loss to Lincoln-Way Central, but other than that, they've looked great. They also get points for probably playing the toughest schedule of any public school.

9. Bolingbrook
Getting ready to cruise into the playoffs at 8-1, including an impressive win over Oswego.

10. Rochester
They had a strange opening to the year, with a startlingly close win over Moline, followed by a monumental win over Batavia.

 

[pjjp]

@Cross Bones -

6. Immaculate Conception
The thing that some people don't seem to understand is that this is a school with a real enrollment under 300, and according to one figure I saw, a varsity roster of 31. The football talent per capita at this school is simply off the charts. Would they beat anyone higher on this list? I doubt it, but it's really something that such a small school would probably be the favorite in any division up to 6A.

Agreed on IC. They have some amazing top end talent for such a low enrollment school. I think it’s interesting that their lower playoff classification (3A) does not prevent them from getting top end talent. It’s probably a testament to their culture and coaching that said top end talent chooses to attend the school.

 

[vester71]

@Cross Bones - I think this is the week that I'll be so bold as to offer my own list.

1. Loyola
So far untested against the state's toughest schedule, which includes four other teams on this list.

2. Lincoln-Way East
I'm a llittle perplexed by the close win over Kankakee, but they've otherwise looked great with wins over two other top-ten teams.

3. Brother Rice
The bad news is that they've lost two games, but the goods news is that those games were against the state's two best teams (and they were both close).

4. East St. Louis
Their win over Mt. Carmel has waned in significance, and their conference is BAD.

5. Mt. Carmel
They've been underwhelming this year, but it counts for something that their only losses are against teams higher on this list.

6. Immaculate Conception
The thing that some people don't seem to understand is that this is a school with a real enrollment under 300, and according to one figure I saw, a varsity roster of 31. The football talent per capita at this school is simply off the charts. Would they beat anyone higher on this list? I doubt it, but it's really something that such a small school would probably be the favorite in any division up to 6A.

7. St. Ignatius
Quietly having a great year, with their only losses being to Loyola and IC (and having led the latter in the fourth quarter). They're in the unfortunate position of being locked into 8A due to enrollment.

8. Homewood-Flossmoor
I'm confused by the loss to Lincoln-Way Central, but other than that, they've looked great. They also get points for probably playing the toughest schedule of any public school.

9. Bolingbrook
Getting ready to cruise into the playoffs at 8-1, including an impressive win over Oswego.

10. Rochester
They had a strange opening to the year, with a startlingly close win over Moline, followed by a monumental win over Batavia.

-Way East lost a ton from last year, so they have lots of new starters, and it took a few games to pull it together on offense.

That said, they aren't packed with D1 players this year, so getting past MC and Loyola in the playoffs will not be easy.

 

[Cross Bones]

@Cross Bones - I think this is the week that I'll be so bold as to offer my own list.

1. Loyola
So far untested against the state's toughest schedule, which includes four other teams on this list.

2. Lincoln-Way East
I'm a llittle perplexed by the close win over Kankakee, but they've otherwise looked great with wins over two other top-ten teams.

3. Brother Rice
The bad news is that they've lost two games, but the goods news is that those games were against the state's two best teams (and they were both close).

4. East St. Louis
Their win over Mt. Carmel has waned in significance, and their conference is BAD.

5. Mt. Carmel
They've been underwhelming this year, but it counts for something that their only losses are against teams higher on this list.

6. Immaculate Conception
The thing that some people don't seem to understand is that this is a school with a real enrollment under 300, and according to one figure I saw, a varsity roster of 31. The football talent per capita at this school is simply off the charts. Would they beat anyone higher on this list? I doubt it, but it's really something that such a small school would probably be the favorite in any division up to 6A.

7. St. Ignatius
Quietly having a great year, with their only losses being to Loyola and IC (and having led the latter in the fourth quarter). They're in the unfortunate position of being locked into 8A due to enrollment.

8. Homewood-Flossmoor
I'm confused by the loss to Lincoln-Way Central, but other than that, they've looked great. They also get points for probably playing the toughest schedule of any public school.

9. Bolingbrook
Getting ready to cruise into the playoffs at 8-1, including an impressive win over Oswego.

10. Rochester
They had a strange opening to the year, with a startlingly close win over Moline, followed by a monumental win over Batavia.

Interesting. I have to look for some IC games so I can have a better grasp on their game. I wouldn't argue vehemently against the top 5, the bottom 5 I think is open to discussion. I want to see Rochester against H-F, Ive been thinking about that hypothetical game a lot lately.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

-Way East lost a ton from last year, so they have lots of new starters, and it took a few games to pull it together on offense.

That said, they aren't packed with D1 players this year, so getting past MC and Loyola in the playoffs will not be easy.

They really never are packed with DI talent though. They have really good HS football players up and down the roster with really good coaching.

 

[STIX815]

Agreed on IC. They have some amazing top end talent for such a low enrollment school. I think it’s interesting that their lower playoff classification (3A) does not prevent them from getting top end talent. It’s probably a testament to their culture and coaching that said top end talent chooses to attend the school.

I also agree that IC has some incredible talent per capita. Pretty remarkable. However, their varsity football roster is not 31. That is what you will find at the majority of 3A schools (30-35). IC has 45 players listed on the roster on MaxPreps, and over 50 players on Hudl. Count the guys on the sideline and it's around 40-45 in my opinion. Where did you see 31 guys?? I could be wrong but if you just watch their film and count the guys, it's definitely not 31.

 

[DirtySixThirty]

I also agree that IC has some incredible talent per capita. Pretty remarkable. However, their varsity football roster is not 31. That is what you will find at the majority of 3A schools (30-35). IC has 45 players listed on the roster on MaxPreps, and over 50 players on Hudl. Count the guys on the sideline and it's around 40-45 in my opinion. Where did you see 31 guys?? I could be wrong but if you just watch their film and count the guys, it's definitely not 31.

This figure was given by @CCL65 in the thread about their upcoming game against Loyola, and I don't have the knowledge of the program to confirm or deny it. Having attended a couple of their games this year, this number seems reasonable, albeit on the low end of what I would have guessed. Uninfluenced by anything written on this page, I would've guessed 40.

 

[jha618]

@Cross Bones - I think this is the week that I'll be so bold as to offer my own list.

1. Loyola
So far untested against the state's toughest schedule, which includes four other teams on this list.

2. Lincoln-Way East
I'm a llittle perplexed by the close win over Kankakee, but they've otherwise looked great with wins over two other top-ten teams.

3. Brother Rice
The bad news is that they've lost two games, but the goods news is that those games were against the state's two best teams (and they were both close).

4. East St. Louis
Their win over Mt. Carmel has waned in significance, and their conference is BAD.

5. Mt. Carmel
They've been underwhelming this year, but it counts for something that their only losses are against teams higher on this list.

6. Immaculate Conception
The thing that some people don't seem to understand is that this is a school with a real enrollment under 300, and according to one figure I saw, a varsity roster of 31. The football talent per capita at this school is simply off the charts. Would they beat anyone higher on this list? I doubt it, but it's really something that such a small school would probably be the favorite in any division up to 6A.

7. St. Ignatius
Quietly having a great year, with their only losses being to Loyola and IC (and having led the latter in the fourth quarter). They're in the unfortunate position of being locked into 8A due to enrollment.

8. Homewood-Flossmoor
I'm confused by the loss to Lincoln-Way Central, but other than that, they've looked great. They also get points for probably playing the toughest schedule of any public school.

9. Bolingbrook
Getting ready to cruise into the playoffs at 8-1, including an impressive win over Oswego.

10. Rochester
They had a strange opening to the year, with a startlingly close win over Moline, followed by a monumental win over Batavia.

Brother Rice is ahead of ESL because BR has 2 "good loses" and ESL's win over MC doesnt look as good now? But also Brother Rice best win is against that same MC team.

 

[Alexander33]

1. Loyola (7-0)
2. East St. Louis (6-1)
3. Lincoln-Way East (7-0)
4. Brother Rice (5-2)
5. Mt. Carmel (5-2)
6. Rochester (7-0)
7. Bolingbrook (6-1)
8. Oswego (6-1)
9. Byron (7-0)
10. IC Catholic (7-0)
11. Downers Grove North (6-1)
12. Morris (7-0)
13. Geneva (6-1)
14. Normal (7-0)
15. Prospect (7-0)
16. Montini (5-2)
17. Hersey (7-0)
18. Providence (5-2)
19. Maine South (6-1)
20. St. Ignatius (5-2)
21. Crete-Monee (6-1)
22. Kankakee (5-2)
23. Huntley (7-0)
24. Machesney Park, Harlem (7-0)
25. Mahomet-Seymour (7-0)

 

[CCL65]

This figure was given by @CCL65 in the thread about their upcoming game against Loyola, and I don't have the knowledge of the program to confirm or deny it. Having attended a couple of their games this year, this number seems reasonable, albeit on the low end of what I would have guessed. Uninfluenced by anything written on this page, I would've guessed 40.

Just going on what I was told on the 31. It’s hard to get a count at a game since what you see on the sidelines is the entire program. The JV’s join in for warm ups and sideline during games though they are not eligible to play if the already did. Their helmets are different also

 

[vester71]

They really never are packed with DI talent though. They have really good HS football players up and down the roster with really good coaching.

True, aside from last year, when they were stacked, but we all know how that ended.

This year's team has been a pleasant surprise, and the coaching, as always, is solid.

Is this Coach Z's last year? I've heard rumors but have not seen anything confirmed. He's only 55, and I would love to see him stick around a lot longer.

 

[McCaravan]

In an era of offense first, defense second, LWE defense seems to be tops in 8A right now.

 

[ODERTY1]

Brother Rice is ahead of ESL because BR has 2 "good loses" and ESL's win over MC doesnt look as good now? But also Brother Rice best win is against that same MC team.

Crazy bs

 

[SiuCubFan8]

True, aside from last year, when they were stacked, but we all know how that ended.

This year's team has been a pleasant surprise, and the coaching, as always, is solid.

Is this Coach Z's last year? I've heard rumors but have not seen anything confirmed. He's only 55, and I would love to see him stick around a lot longer.

But where they stacked with D1 talent last year like we are talking? Stacked like ESL/MC/BR, no, even last year they were not.

He is done after this year.

 

[DirtySixThirty]

Brother Rice is ahead of ESL because BR has 2 "good loses" and ESL's win over MC doesnt look as good now? But also Brother Rice best win is against that same MC team.

To be fair, I've become a skeptic toward East St. Louis. There's always a ton of hype, a ton of talent, and then they don't even win 6A half the time.

 

[DirtySixThirty]

1. Loyola (7-0)
2. East St. Louis (6-1)
3. Lincoln-Way East (7-0)
4. Brother Rice (5-2)
5. Mt. Carmel (5-2)
6. Rochester (7-0)
7. Bolingbrook (6-1)
8. Oswego (6-1)
9. Byron (7-0)
10. IC Catholic (7-0)
11. Downers Grove North (6-1)
12. Morris (7-0)
13. Geneva (6-1)
14. Normal (7-0)
15. Prospect (7-0)
16. Montini (5-2)
17. Hersey (7-0)
18. Providence (5-2)
19. Maine South (6-1)
20. St. Ignatius (5-2)
21. Crete-Monee (6-1)
22. Kankakee (5-2)
23. Huntley (7-0)
24. Machesney Park, Harlem (7-0)
25. Mahomet-Seymour (7-0)

Byron ahead of IC doesn't make sense. Of their 18 combined regular season games, IC probably plays the 9 most difficult ones.

 

[STIX815]

Byron ahead of IC doesn't make sense. Of their 18 combined regular season games, IC probably plays the 9 most difficult ones.

It was the same thing last year and Byron beat IC pretty easily. I think this year IC is better but until they can beat them, it's hard to pick against Byron. They still have a couple D1 guys on the roster and are very well coached. They will likely play each other in the quarters or semi's again this year. Personally i think they are both a little too high on this list

 

[jha618]

To be fair, I've become a skeptic toward East St. Louis. There's always a ton of hype, a ton of talent, and then they don't even win 6A half the time.

They have been to 6 straight championship games since 2019 and won 3 (exactly half). Is there any other school in the state who you would hold that same standard to?

 

[DirtySixThirty]

They have been to 6 straight championship games since 2019 and won 3 (exactly half). Is there any other school in the state who you would hold that same standard to?

You misunderstood me. They're a great program - one of the best in the state, in fact. However, they're not always, or even usually, the #1 team in the state. I would say that, in a typical year, they're top-five, which puts them in the top percent.

 

[jha618]

You misunderstood me. They're a great program - one of the best in the state, in fact. However, they're not always, or even usually, the #1 team in the state. I would say that, in a typical year, they're top-five, which puts them in the top percent.

Thats very different than saying you are skeptical of them because "there's always a ton of hype, a ton of talent, and then they don't even win 6A half the time"

My question was is there another program who you would be skeptical of having gone to 6 straight championship games and winning half of them? Which is sort of a separate matter since we are talking about 2026 rankings and the previous years shouldn't matter.

 

[DirtySixThirty]

Thats very different than saying you are skeptical of them because "there's always a ton of hype, a ton of talent, and then they don't even win 6A half the time"

My question was is there another program who you would be skeptical of having gone to 6 straight championship games and winning half of them? Which is sort of a separate matter since we are talking about 2026 rankings and the previous years shouldn't matter.

I'm fully confident that they were the most consistent contender in 6A over the last several years, but that isn't the question at-hand.

 

[crusader_of_90]

Honest to God, I think they get bored. Redlining the start of the season after a summer traveling and winning 7v7s and guys dominating top camps. Starting out against the top teams in the county. Then the conference and early rounds ... only to play an obscure O that requires thought more than reaction. (DO NOT CONSTRUE THAT NEGATIVELY). Plus, the top seniors are three weeks from being done with HS and moving along to their colleges to practice with the bowl game squads. Hell, Rupertt, who went to Indiana, barely got the ball in the finals last year. It was all GoGo and other WR getting the PT and exposure.

I may be wrong.

 

[ODERTY1]

Honest to God, I think they get bored. Redlining the start of the season after a summer traveling and winning 7v7s and guys dominating top camps. Starting out against the top teams in the county. Then the conference and early rounds ... only to play an obscure O that requires thought more than reaction. (DO NOT CONSTRUE THAT NEGATIVELY). Plus, the top seniors are three weeks from being done with HS and moving along to their colleges to practice with the bowl game squads. Hell, Rupertt, who went to Indiana, barely got the ball in the finals last year. It was all GoGo and other WR getting the PT and exposure.

I may be wrong.

He had a broken hand... and imho you are right. Which why we moved to 7a to keep the boys more engaged