Not too early Official Unbiased Preseason Top 10

Jul 11, 2001
1,584
14
38
Francis has a ton of potential….good returning core plus 7 likely high impact transfers. WR and DB core stacked - the two 2028 Carmel transfers were big time last year. Big O and D line (AJ Redmon widely considered the best 2029 DL in the state). Nearly 1000 yard RB coming back.

I agree it may be a bit too high and all of that talent will have to come together, but they have a chance to be a very strong squad this year. O’Brien taking the over on that happening I guess.

side note: Franny’s freshman class considered the strongest they’ve ever had.
Is it fair to say the rise of St. Francis has coincided with the downfall of the Wheaton and Naperville schools? Perhaps Montini as well? There was once a time where I'd expect to see at leat one of NN, NC, NV, WWS or WN in a Top 10 poll.
 

SiuCubFan8

All-Conference
Jul 27, 2007
6,046
3,843
113
Is it fair to say the rise of St. Francis has coincided with the downfall of the Wheaton and Naperville schools? Perhaps Montini as well? There was once a time where I'd expect to see at leat one of NN, NC, NV, WWS or WN in a Top 10 poll.
Wheaton South saw a downturn of enrollment that played a role but I think that is on the upswing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DMurph11

DMurph11

Senior
May 16, 2012
523
758
93
Is it fair to say the rise of St. Francis has coincided with the downfall of the Wheaton and Naperville schools? Perhaps Montini as well? There was once a time where I'd expect to see at leat one of NN, NC, NV, WWS or WN in a Top 10 poll.
I think it’s *somewhat* fair to say. When I was growing up the thought was that if you were a Wheaton kid and were a great football player you go to Wheaton South. Reilly O’Toole was a prime example… whole family went to St. Francis except for him given his football talent. That obviously wouldn’t be the case anymore.

I say *somewhat* because looking at the SF roster there are plenty of Naperville, Bartlett, Aurora, Plainfield, etc. kids who make up the roster. So it isn’t like all the star kids are Wheaton locals.

I think it is more indicative of a broader rise of CCL football and the reach it has developed. The guys who gripe about this have legitimate points in that respect.

I think Providence, JCA, Montini, ICCP, St. Francis, Nazareth, even Mt. Carmel are generally pulling the best football players from the talent rich Western and Southwestern Suburbs, and that has undoubtably had to have impacted the talent pool that Neuqua, NN, WWS, Naperville Central, etc. have at their schools.
 

Colin2299

Junior
Aug 13, 2025
413
295
63
I think it’s *somewhat* fair to say. When I was growing up the thought was that if you were a Wheaton kid and were a great football player you go to Wheaton South. Reilly O’Toole was a prime example… whole family went to St. Francis except for him given his football talent. That obviously wouldn’t be the case anymore.

I say *somewhat* because looking at the SF roster there are plenty of Naperville, Bartlett, Aurora, Plainfield, etc. kids who make up the roster. So it isn’t like all the star kids are Wheaton locals.

I think it is more indicative of a broader rise of CCL football and the reach it has developed. The guys who gripe about this have legitimate points in that respect.

I think Providence, JCA, Montini, ICCP, St. Francis, Nazareth, even Mt. Carmel are generally pulling the best football players from the talent rich Western and Southwestern Suburbs, and that has undoubtably had to have impacted the talent pool that Neuqua, NN, WWS, Naperville Central, etc. have at their schools.
To live in Wheaton and send your kid to a private school seems bonkers to me unless it's for religion.
 

DMurph11

Senior
May 16, 2012
523
758
93
To live in Wheaton and send your kid to a private school seems bonkers to me unless it's for religion.
Many people prefer the smaller private school atmosphere. Just is what it is…plenty of people do it from K-12. I and many of my friends did it and really enjoyed it…will have my kids do the same.
 

Cross Bones

All-Conference
Aug 19, 2001
53,186
4,240
113
Gotta admit his writeup on LA has me pretty revved up about this upcoming season. And 2027 as well with all those juniors on offsense.
I think years like you all had last season and that I had to endure the prior two are revealing. To us they feel unbearable, but half the playing field goes through that or worse every year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 80sRambler

McCaravan

All-American
Feb 1, 2016
5,045
7,847
113
Now we have the 4 major rankings: Edgy's, Souc's, Mike O'B's, and The Official Unbiased

Thoughts?
MOB only does Chicagoland so if he expanded it State wise then ESL would probably be 2 or 3.

Edgy has Loyola at #16 while most others have them top 5....I think they are really going to come back strong, especially if their QB takes a big step forward after a tough Soph year at the helm. But Edgy has Rita ranked over LA which is a mistake at the point. Rita/Providence will tell a lot about both teams.

Biggest unknown is LWE....obviously week one will tell a lot.

After reading about Rice, despite two huge names on Defense they have a lot of holes to fill on both sides but their under classman teams have been excellent the past couple years so talent is there. Anxious to see them play LA on the road.

Team I think was missed on top 20 that I will toss out is St. Laurence. They've done nothing but be good for the last 4 seasons and they keep getting forgotten about. Last 3 seasons they have made the State Championship, Quarterfinals and Semifinals. They got 2 very good transfers from Rita and one good one from BR. I think they should be top 20 for sure.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OnVikings!

Cross Bones

All-Conference
Aug 19, 2001
53,186
4,240
113
MOB only does Chicagoland so if he expanded it State wise then ESL would probably be 2 or 3.

Edgy has Loyola at #16 while most others have them top 5....I think they are really going to come back strong, especially if their QB takes a big step forward after a tough Soph year at the helm. But Edgy has Rita ranked over LA which is a mistake at the point. Rita/Providence will tell a lot about both teams.

Biggest unknown is LWE....obviously week one will tell a lot.

After reading about Rice, despite two huge names on Defense they have a lot of holes to fill on both sides but their under classman teams have been excellent the past couple years so talent is there. Anxious to see them play LA on the road.

Team I think was missed on top 20 that I will toss out is St. Laurence. They've done nothing but be good for the last 4 seasons and they keep getting forgotten about. Last 3 seasons they have made the State Championship, Quarterfinals and Semifinals. They got 2 very good transfers from Rita and one good one from BR. I think they should be top 20 for sure.
Didnt realize Laurence was on a run like that, I may have to adjust the Official Unbiased. LWE I think goes 8-1 at worst with the possible loss to Rice, but week 1 so we never know.
 

Cross Bones

All-Conference
Aug 19, 2001
53,186
4,240
113
Does anyone have the 4 rankings from the different media sources?

The Official Unbias top 10 is at the beginning of this thread.

Edgy's top 30 top 10
1. MC
2. Rice
3. Montini
4. St. Francis
5. Naz
6. Oswego
7. Batavia
8. Providence
9. Maine South
10. Glenbard West

MOB's Super 25 top 10
1. MC
2. Rice
3. Loyola
4. Montini
5. Naz
6. Oswego
7. St. Francis
8. Batavia
9. Bolingbrook
10. Hersey

The Souc is behind a paywall. Subscribe to Edgy and Friday Night Drive
 

McCaravan

All-American
Feb 1, 2016
5,045
7,847
113
MOB had his Top 25 out if you subscribe to the Times online. LWE # 18. No HF. Sandburg #23, Fenwick #24, LT # 25.....Maine South #11....Glenbard West #12.....Providence #13....Geneva #14.....Rita #15......COM #22 (I'd put Laurence here over them). No Simeon, no Marist, No JCA.
 

McCaravan

All-American
Feb 1, 2016
5,045
7,847
113
Other in the top 25 but I forgot where and I'm too lazy to check....Barrington, Prospect, DGN, and York.
 
Edgy Tim

Latest

  1. 01 Edgy Tim 2026 EDGYTIM Preseason All State Team
  2. 02 Edgy Tim Preview: Week 1 Top Games to Watch
  3. 03 Edgy Tim Watch: WJOL Pigskin Preview Thursdays 6-8PM
  4. 04 Orange & Blue News Intel: Projected Illini football 2026 depth chart
  5. 05 Edgy Tim FREE: 2026 Preseason Chicagoland Top 30 poll