Illinois High School Football Top 25 Rankings - Sept. 1

The high school football season kicked off in Illinois last week, as many of the Prairie State’s top programs were in action. Plenty of interesting results followed.

Another jam-packed slate is on deck as teams continue their quests for state championships. Below are the top 25 high school football teams in Illinois, according to the Massey Ratings, as of Sept. 1.

1. Mount Carmel Caravan (1-0)

Mount Carmel opened the season with a one-point victory over Ohio’s Archbishop Moeller. Nathan Samuel’s two-yard rushing touchdown trimmed the Crusaders’ lead to one, 42-41. A succeeding two-point conversion gave the Caravan the lead and the victory. After this thrilling win, Mount Carmel proceeds to their Illinois high school football game versus St. Rita on Sept. 5.

2. Lincoln-Way East Griffins

Despite playing on the road, the Griffins scored a 40-0 shutout victory over Maine South to open their Illinois high school football campaign. USC commit Jonas Williams finished with 17 completions for 315 passing yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Meanwhile, Washington commit Blaise LaVista had six catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Lincoln-Way East will face Kankakee in its home opener on Sept. 5.

3. Loyola Academy Ramblers

The Ramblers opened the Illinois high school football season on a high note with a 21-14 victory over Indiana’s Merrillville. Loyola Academy was down by one point, 14-13, with 3:14 left in regulation. However, the winning drive saw quarterback Matthew Lee complete a touchdown pass to Teddy Kurtzweil for the game-clinching score. The Ramblers will aim for a 2-0 record when they face St. Francis on Sept. 12. 

4. East St. Louis Flyers

The Flyers remain in the Illinois high school football top five despite a one-point loss to Bergen Catholic. A fourth-quarter touchdown off a blocked punt and a succeeding two-point conversion had East St. Louis dropping its season opener. The Flyers can bounce back with a victory over Florida’s Gadsden County on Sept. 6.

5. St. Rita Mustangs

The Mustangs opened the 2025 Illinois high school football season with a 28-21 victory over Marist. Junior running back Brandon Johnson Jr. scored the game-winning touchdown with 13 seconds left in regulation. Meanwhile, quarterback Steven Armbuster completed two touchdown passes, both to Donovan Evans. After this game, a tougher challenge awaits St. Rita as they visit top-ranked Mount Carmel on Sept. 5.

Illinois High School Football Rankings: Nos. 6 – 25

6. Lyons
7. Nazareth Academy
8. Brother Rice
9. Glenbard West
10. Oswego

11. Downers Grove North
12. Fenwick
13. Lockport Township
14. Marist
15. Lincoln-Way Central

16. Carl Sandburg
17. St. Charles North
18. Homewood-Flossmoor
19. Prairie Ridge
20. Joliet Catholic Academy

21. Geneva Community
22. Glenbrook South
23. Hinsdale Central
24. Lincoln Way West
25. Montini Catholic

How to Follow Illinois High School Football

For Illinois high school football fans, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement in the Prairie State.