Michael O’Brien’s Chicago-area Super 25 football rankings for Week 8

St. Charles East makes a big jump and two teams join for the first time this season.

By Michael O’Brien

Warren’s Christian Phillips (1) and Derrick McLaughlin (3) celebrate McLaughlin’s touchdown against Lake Zurich.

Another mild week. Batavia lost to St. Charles East and tumbles a bit and two teams fell out of the rankings. Things remain pretty stable overall.

There are some big matchups in Week 8 with the potential to shake things up including No. 3 Nazareth at No. 8 Notre Dame, No. 10 Hinsdale Central at No. 5 Glenbard West and No. 11 Bolingbrook at No. 7 Homewood-Flossmoor.

Dropping out

Brother Rice (4-3): The Crusaders lost to St. Laurence on Friday, knocking them out of the rankings. The overall resume is still pretty strong with wins against Marist and Hillcrest, but 4-3 just isn’t good enough to stick right now.

Conant (6-1): It was a brief one-week stay in the Super 25 for the Cougars, who were upset by Schaumburg. It’s turning out to be a really strong season for the Mid-Suburban League overall.

New additions

Huntley (6-1): This week is the big Cary-Grove vs. Prairie Ridge showdown in the Fox Valley, but it’s time to add the team that already beat both of those powerhouse programs this season. The Red Raiders lost to Jacobs in Week 2 but have now won six consecutive games.

Willowbrook (6-1): This is probably long overdue. The Warriors almost picked up a spot in the preseason Super 25. They were 11-1 last season and have been just outside the rankings all season. The one loss is to Providence in Week 1.

Week 8’s Super 25
With record and last week’s ranking

1. Lincoln-Way East (7-0) 1
Friday at Sandburg

2. Mount Carmel (7-0) 2
Friday at St. Viator

3. Nazareth (6-1) 3
Friday at No. 8 Notre Dame

4. Loyola (5-2) 4
Friday at Marian Central

5. Glenbard West (7-0) 5
Saturday vs. No. 10 Hinsdale Central

6. Neuqua Valley (6-1) 6
Friday at Naperville North

7. Homewood-Flossmoor (6-1) 8
Friday vs. No. 11 Bolingbrook

8. Notre Dame (7-0) 9
Friday vs. No. 3 Nazareth

9. Warren (7-0) 10
Friday at Stevenson

10. Hinsdale Central (7-0) 11
Saturday at No. 5 Glenbard West

11. Bolingbrook (6-1) 12
Friday at No. 7 Homewood-Flossmoor