Change at top of Class 7A
One class, 7A, has a new No. 1 in the final regular-season state rankings for high school football released Tuesday by The Associated Press.
Lake Zurich (7-1) resumed the top spot after a 33-0 victory over Lake Forest. Lake Zurich, ranked first at the start of the season, hasn't allowed more than seven points in a game since a first-week 27-20 loss to still-undefeated 8A No. 5 Fremd.
Previous No. 1 Rolling Meadows (7-1) fell to No. 8 after 12-10 loss to Buffalo Grove in the Mid-Suburban East.
East St. Louis (7-1) moved up one spot to No. 2 after a 53-14 victory over previously unbeaten Belleville East. The Flyers have averaged 47.5 points over the last six games. No. 4 Rockford Boylan and No. 5 Geneva each stayed undefeated and moved up a spot. The Vikings (8-0) play at Batavia (5-3) Friday night.
Glenbrook North (7-1) joined the 7A ranks at No. 9 after its seventh straight win, 41-6 over Deerfield. Moline (7-1) debuted at No. 10 after a 28-0 win over Quincy.
In Class 8A, No. 1 Mt. Carmel (8-0) is coming off its most lopsided win of the season, 64-0 over St. Francis de Sales.
No. 2 Naperville North (8-0) and No. 3 Wheaton Warrenville South (8-0) play for the DuPage Valley title on Friday. No. 4 Downers Grove South and No. 5 Fremd also remain undefeated.
Brother Rice (6-2) joined the 8A ranks at No. 10 after a 14-13 victory over St. Rita. Lincoln-Way East (6-2) fell off the list after its second loss in three games.
In Class 6A, defending state champion Normal Community stretched its win streak to 22 with a 45-6 win over Decatur MacArthur. The Ironmen will try for their second consecutive undefeated season in the Big Twelve on Friday against visiting Danville.
No. 2 Joliet Catholic defeated St. Joseph, 63-7. Joliet Catholic (7-1, 6-0) will host 7A No. 7 Carmel (7-1, 6-0) in the championship game of the East Suburban Catholic on Friday.
No. 3 Richards remained undefeated with a 44-7 victory over Oak Lawn. No. 5 Prairie Ridge and No. 7 Grant also are undefeated.
Previous No. 4 Lemont (6-2) fell to No. 9 after a 14-7 loss to Oak Forest.
The top-ranked teams in 4A and 5A will play Friday, when six-time defending state champion Driscoll (4A) and Montini (5A) meet for the Suburban Catholic championship.