Meadows stays No. 1 in 7A; Fremd, St. Viator enter poll

Top-ranked Rolling Meadows was joined in this week's Associated Press state football rankings by Fremd and St. Viator.

Meadows kept its spot atop Class 7A as it improved to 3-0 with a 21-14 win when Palatine came up six inches short on fourth-and-goal from the 1 in the final minute.

"There were lessons from the coaches to the players to everyone on how to approach a game," Meadows coach Doug Millsaps said of the close call. "We were lucky enough to get out of it alive."

Fremd (3-0) entered the 8A poll at No. 10 with a 49-12 win over Elk Grove. St. Viator (3-0) moved into the 6A rankings at No. 10 with a 33-7 win over Marist.

"We're trying to make sure they are," Viator coach Chris Kirkpatrick said of his team keeping a level-headed approach. "Sometimes kids listen to what people are saying and read their own press clippings."

In 8A, the top four teams remained the same.

No. 1 St. Rita (3-0) rolled to a 35-0 win over Leo and No. 2 Lincoln-Way East (3-0) won 42-14 over Bradley-Bourbonnais. No. 3 Mount Carmel (3-0) won 35-14 over New Lenox Providence and No. 4 Naperville North (3-0) won 47-6 over Glenbard East.

Previous No. 5 Maine South fell out after it was upset 13-10 by Glenbrook North.

In 7A, No. 2 Lake Zurich (2-1), No. 3 Crystal Lake South (3-0), No. 4 East St. Louis (2-1), No. 5 Morgan Park (2-1) and No. 6 Rockford Boylan (3-0) also won and retained their previous positions. Prospect (2-1) is rated eighth.

Willowbrook (3-0) moved into 7A at No. 10.

In 6A, Normal Community held on to the top spot after a 38-0 victory over Urbana, and No. 2 Joliet Catholic (2-1) and No. 3 Lemont (3-0) held their positions after wins.

The top five in 5A --Marian Central, Montini, Metamora, Cahokia and Rochelle all remained undefeated and held their previous positions.

Geneseo (2-1) moved up four positions to No. 6 after a win over Quincy Notre Dame. Pontiac (2-1) fell four positions to No. 10 after a 35-14 loss to 4A No. 6 Mahomet-Seymour. Mattoon (3-0) joined the 5A ranks at No. 7.

Also staying at No. 1 were Driscoll (4A), St. Joseph-Ogden (3A), Morrison (2A) and Tuscola (1A).

Mack update: Prospect coach Brent Pearlman said he "doesn't have a definitive answer" yet on two-way standout Pat Mack, who was injured in Friday's 27-0 win over Hoffman Estates.

Pearlman said Mack passed all the screening tests for a concussion but still needed to see his doctor today.

"We want to make sure before we take any chances," Pearlman said. "It's a tough situation. It really is.

"It's been difficult for us and we're all worried about him. If there's even any remote (risk), we're not playing the kid."

Pearlman said lineman Sean Wheeler is also day-to-day after injuring his knee last week and will have an MRI performed today.

Prospect hosts Palatine in a Mid-Suburban League crossover on Friday.