Here are the latest @NBCSPreps Top 25 Power Rankings.
1. Lincoln-Way East 12-0 (1)
Last Week: Beat Edwardsville, 50-14
This Week: @ Loyola
EDGY's Take: The Griffins, once again, dominate a solid program. They roll, walloping Edwardsville. But Loyola should bring another big challenge this Saturday in Wilmette.
2. Batavia 12-0 (2)
Last Week: Beat Willowbrook, 34-27 OT
This Week: @ Nazareth Academy
EDGY's Take: The Bulldogs get out to an early lead and then hang on for dear life. But "win and advance" is always the top priority.
3. Brother Rice 12-0 (3)
Last Week: Beat Warren Township, 20-0
This Week: @ Marist
EDGY's Take: The Crusaders defense is also something that fans can't ignore. I have a feeling it's going to be an extra EDGY week on the South Side.
4. Marist 11-1 (4)
Last Week: Beat H-F, 21-7
This Week: vs Brother Rice
EDGY's Take: The Redhawks lock down a very strong H-F running game. They advance and prepare for a "part two" of the South Side Super Bowl.
5. Mount Carmel 11-1 (5)
Last Week: Beat East St. Louis, 29-19
This Week: @ St. Charles North
EDGY's Take: The Caravan took it to the Flyers on Saturday night at Gately Stadium. Mount Carmel is on a serious roll, peaking at the right time.
6. Cary-Grove 12-0 (7)
Last Week: Beat Phillips, 34-24
This Week: @ Notre Dame
EDGY's Take: The Trojans get the big win over Phillips. The Trojans now hit the road to face a Dons team coming off a solid win over Antioch.
7. Nazareth Academy 11-1 (8)
Last Week: Beat Simeon, 34-27
This Week: vs Batavia
EDGY's Take: The Roadrunners took a late lead over Simeon and then hung on in the final seconds. Michael Love, at times, just isn't human. What an effort on Saturday.
8. Loyola Academy 9-3 (12)
Last Week: Beat Maine South, 17-0
This Week: vs Lincoln-Way East
EDGY's Take: The Ramblers defense was lights out, posting a shutout against one of their biggest rivals. Big test this week hosting Lincoln-Way (B)East.
9. Homewood-Flossmoor 10-2 (6)
Last Week: Lost to Marist, 21-7
This Week: Season Completed
EDGY's Take: The Vikings just couldn't get their running game in gear in the loss to Marist.
10. Simeon 11-1 (10)
Last Week: Lost to Nazareth Academy, 34-27
This Week: Season Completed
EDGY's Take: The Wolverines had their chances but came up just seconds short Saturday against Nazareth Academy.
11. Maine South 10-2 (9)
Last Week: Lost to Loyola, 17-0
This Week: Season Completed
EDGY's Take: The Hawks just couldn't find a way of denting Loyola's defense.
12. Warren Township 10-2 (11)
Last Week: Lost to Brother Rice, 20-0
This Week: Season Completed
EDGY's Take: The Blue Devils couldn't muster up much offense in their 20-0 loss to Brother Rice.
13. Richards 12-0 (13)
Last Week: Beat Normal West, 22-17
This Week: @ Crete-Monee
EDGY's Take: The Bulldogs hang on to beat Normal West and now will travel to Crete on Saturday in a huge 6A south suburban showdown.
14. Montini Catholic 11-1 (19)
Last Week: Beat Evergreen Park, 54-7
This Week: @ Sterling
EDGY's Take: The Broncos wallop Evergreen Park. How will they fare on the road at Sterling?
15. Notre Dame 10-2 (24)
Last Week: Beat Antioch, 17-10
This Week: vs Cary-Grove
EDGY's Take: The Dons have gotten a state championship-level performance from their defense all postseason.
16. St. Charles North 9-3 (25)
Last Week: Beat Wheaton South, 21-10
This Week: vs Mount Carmel
EDGY's Take: The North Stars get payback from their Week Nine 13-11 loss to Wheaton South; North is now heading to the state semifinals for the first time in school history.
17. Crete-Monee 9-3 (NR)
Last Week: Beat Washington, 35-28
This Week: vs Richards
EDGY's Take: After an 0-3 start, the Warriors turned their season on a dime and have dominated the Class 6A playoffs. They get another big test on Saturday hosting Richards.
18. Hillcrest 12-0 (21)
Last Week: Beat Cahokia, 27-0
This Week: @ Joliet Catholic
EDGY's Take: The Hawks shut out Cahokia to advance and now hit the road this Saturday to take on Joliet Catholic.
19. Willowbrook 11-1 (15)
Last Week: Lost to Batavia, 34-27 OT
This Week: Season Completed
EDGY's Take: The Warriors battled back after training Batavia and come up just short in overtime.
20. Phillips 9-3 (14)
Last Week: Lost to Cary-Grove, 34-24
This Week: Season Completed
EDGY's Take: The Wildcats hung tough but lose to Cary-Grove to end the season.
21. IC Catholic Prep 12-0 (23)
Last Week: Beat Marengo, 49-27
This Week: vs Richmond Burton
EDGY's Take: The Knights get another huge game from sophomore RB Kyle Franklin in beating Marengo to advance.
22. Oak Park-River Forest 8-3 (16)
Last Week: Season Completed
This Week: Season Completed
EDGY's Take: The Huskies have several underclassmen back for the 2019 season including QB Jaden McGill.
23. Wheaton South 10-2 (17)
Last Week: Lost to St. Charles North, 21-10
This Week: Season Completed
EDGY's Take: The Tigers wind up the season with a tough 21-10 loss to Dukane Conference rival St. Charles North. I think this DuKane Conference might just work out after all.
24. Oswego 10-1 (18)
Last Week: Season Completed
This Week: Season Completed
EDGY's Take: The Panthers will play in the new-look Southwest Prairie conference in 2019.
25. Joliet Catholic 8-4 (NR)
Last Week: Beat Highland, 55-21
This Week: vs Hillcrest
EDGY's Take: The Hilltoppers posted nearly 600 yards rushing in walloping Highland. RB Keenan Hailey is having an All-State caliber season for the Hillmen this fall.
