SBLive Illinois Power 25 Week 13 high school football rankings: Batavia jumps into Top 10

By Mike Carpinelli

Here is a look at the latest SBLive Illinois Power 25 high school football rankings.

SBLIVE ILLINOIS POWER 25 FOOTBALL RANKINGS:

November 23, 2022

1. East St. Louis (11-2)

Last week: 1

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 26, vs. No. 6 Prairie Ridge (12-1)

Ranking rationale: After cruising through their first three playoff games, the Flyers ran into a tough Lemont team and rallied from a 14-0 first quarter deficit to win 32-29 to move on to the 6A title game.

2. Mount Carmel (13-0)

Last week: 2

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 26, vs. Batavia (10-3)

Ranking rationale: The Caravan were down 6-0 at the break but rallied to outscore their rival, St. Rita, 20-3 in the second half. Mount Carmel will face off against Batavia in a rematch of last year’s 8A quarterfinal in which Mount Carmel won on an untimed down at the end of the game.

3. Loyola Academy 12-1

Last week: 3

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 26, vs. No. 4 Lincoln-Way East (13-0)

Ranking rationale: The Ramblers took care of previously undefeated and last week’s seventh-ranked team York, 30-3, last week in their 8A semifinal game. They will meet No. 4 Lincoln-Way East in Champaign for a shot at the 8A state title.

4. Lincoln-Way East (13-0)

Last week: 4

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 26, vs. No. 3 Loyola Academy (12-1)

Ranking rationale: The Griffins defense had another great performance against last week’s eighth-ranked team, Glenbard West. They forced multiple turnovers to set up short fields for the offense as they won convincingly 31-7.

5. Sacred Heart-Griffin (13-0)

Last week: 6

Next game: Friday, Nov. 25, vs. No. 19 Providence Catholic (9-4)

Ranking rationale: The Cyclones found themselves on the wrong end of a 28-0 second quarter score against Rochester in the 4A semifinal, but their offense got on the right track as they rallied for 56 points to finish the game with a 56-42 victory.

6. Prairie Ridge (12-1)

Last week: 9

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 26, vs. No. 1 East St. Louis (11-2)

Ranking rationale: Although it’s been the Tyler Vasey show the last few weeks for Prairie Ridge, kicker Brogan Amherdt was the hero for the Wolves in their 6A semifinal win over St. Ignatius. He converted his first-ever field goal attempt from 29 yards out to lift the Wolves to a 21-19 victory.

7. Lemont (12-1)

Last week: 5

Ranking rationale: The Indians led top-ranked East St. Louis 14-0 in the first quarter before the Flyers rallied to win 32-29 to move on to the 6A title game.

8. York (12-1)

Last week: 7

Ranking rationale: The Dukes were no match for Loyola Academy in their 8A semifinal matchup last week, losing 30-3, against the third-ranked Ramblers.

9. Batavia (10-3)

Last week: 15

Next week: Saturday, Nov. 26, vs. No. 2 Mount Carmel (13-0)

Ranking rationale: The Bulldog defense has been extremely difficult to score on during the playoffs as they’ve allowed less than 7 points per game in their last 4 games. They handled Lake Zurich, 24-7, behind 462 yards of total offense along with just 116 yards allowed on defense.

10. St. Rita (10-3)

Last week: 10

Ranking rationale: The Mustangs led rival Mount Carmel 6-0 at halftime of their 8A semifinal showdown but the Caravan rallied to outscore the Mustangs 20-3 in the second half.

11. Glenbard West (11-2)

Last week: 8

Ranking rationale: The Hilltoppers were eliminated by No. 4 Lincoln-Way East, 31-7, in the 8A semifinals last week.

12. Peoria (12-1)

Last week: NR

Next week: Saturday, Nov. 26, vs. No. 15 Nazareth Academy (9-4)

Ranking rationale: The Peoria offense was unstoppable in their 5A semifinal matchup against Morris, a Top-15 team from last week. The Lions won 76-56 after scoring an impressive 46 first half points. They will take on Nazareth Academy on Saturday in Champaign.

13. IC Catholic Prep (12-1)

Last week: 18

Next game: Friday, Nov. 25, vs. Williamsville (12-1)

Ranking rationale: IC Catholic picked up its 11th straight victory with a 35-0 shutout over Byron. The Knights defense was solid as they forced a turnover and stopped Byron on fourth down multiple times throughout the game to preserve the shutout. They will travel to Champaign for the 3A title game on Friday night.

14. Lake Zurich (11-2)

Last week: 12

Ranking rationale: The Bears rallied from a second-half deficit to beat Pekin in the 7A quarterfinals but fell to No. 9 Batavia, 24-7, in the semifinals last week.

15. Nazareth Academy (9-4)

Last week: 25

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 26, vs. No. 12 Peoria (12-1)

Ranking rationale: After starting out 2-4 and rallying for a 5-4 finish for a playoff spot, the Roadrunners have proven to be a force as they secured their seventh straight victory with a 10-7 victory over Sycamore in a defensive battle. Nazareth will face off against Peoria on Saturday for the 5A championship.

16. Sycamore (12-1)

Last week: 11

Rankings rationale: The Spartans had their 11-game win streak snapped by No. 15 Nazareth Academy, 10-7, in the Class 5A semifinals.

17. Rochester (11-2)

Last week: 13

Ranking rationale: After knocking off the Class 4A top seed Carterville in the quarterfinals, the Rockets had their 11-game win streak snapped by Sacred Heart-Griffin, 56-42, in the semifinals.

18. Morris (10-3)

Last week: 14

Ranking rationale: The Redskins were defeated by No. 12 Peoria in the Class 5A semifinals, 76-56, after allowing 46 points in the second half.

19. Providence Catholic (9-4)

Last week: NR

Next game: Friday, Nov. 25, vs. No. 5 Sacred Heart-Griffin (13-0)

Ranking rationale: The Celtics were challenged against one of the most difficult regular season schedules of any team in Illinois, but they have since hit their stride in the playoffs. They held a very good St. Francis (Wheaton) offense to just 14 points in the 4A semifinals and moved on to the title game with a 17-14 win.

20. Maine South (10-2)

Last week: 16

Ranking rationale: The Hawks were eliminated in the quarterfinals by No. 11 Glenbard West.

21. Crete-Monee (10-2)

Last week: 17

Ranking rationale: The Warriors’ season ended in the Class 6A quarterfinals as they were eliminated by top-ranked East St. Louis.

22. St. Ignatius (10-2)

Last week: 20

Ranking rationale: The Wolfpack were eliminated by No. 6 Prairie Ridge in the Class 4A quarterfinals.

23. St. Charles North (10-2)

Last week: 22

Ranking rationale: The North Stars were eliminated in the quarterfinals by No. 10 St. Rita.

24. St. Francis (Wheaton) (11-2)

Last week: 21

Ranking rationale: The Spartans were defeated by No. 19 Providence Catholic in the Class 4A quarterfinals.

25. Lyons Township (10-2)

Last week: 23

Ranking rationale: The Lions were eliminated by No. 3 Loyola Academy

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