Big movers include Brother Rice, Lincoln-Way Central and Providence. St. Rita enters rankings.
Top 10
With records through Sunday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Mount Carmel 8-0 (1)
Late TD by Nathan Samuels allows Caravan to escape with thrilling 35-28 win over Fenwick.
2. Brother Rice 7-1 (3)
King Liggins and Crusaders’ defense shows how scary they can be in 48-6 rout of St. Laurence.
3. Lincoln-Way East 7-1 (2)
Jonas Williams rests up and the Griffins lose in the regular season for the first time since 2021.
4. Lincoln-Way Central 7-1 (5)
Aiden Hennings helps the Knights shut down Waubonsie Valley for a 37-7 victory.
5. Providence 6-2 (6)
Coach Tyler Plantz and Celtics would love to end rival Joliet Catholic’s playoff hopes Friday night.
6. Lincoln-Way West 7-1 (4)
Grant Tustin shows off his legs on 64-yard TD run, but Warriors fall 35-13 to Bradley-Bourbonnais.
7. Richards 7-1 (8)
Noah Escobedo spreads the ball around to several dynamic playmakers in an explosive offense.
8. Lockport 5-3 (9)
After falling one win short last season, Chris Miller and the Porters punch their playoff ticket.
9. Sandburg 6-2 (10)
Luke Basiorka becomes program’s all-time leading rusher during a 24-21 win over Neuqua Valley.
10. St. Rita 4-4 (NR)
It’s all on the line for Steven Armbruster and the Mustangs in Week 9 battle with IC Catholic.
Offensive Player of the Week
Senior running back Justin Cobbs piles up 234 yards and four TDs on 30 carries for Lincoln-Way Central in a 37-7 Southwest Valley Red win over Waubonsie Valley.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Lockport senior Adam Kozak returns a punt 52 yards for a TD in a 34-21 Southwest Valley Blue victory over Metea Valley.
