Before the final weekend of the regular season kicks off, Sports Editor Matt Daniels unveils the area’s best during our latest weekly poll:
1. Mahomet-Seymour
Record: 7-1
Previous ranking: No. 1
The Bulldogs carry a seven-game win streak into a nonconference game at undefeated Quincy on Friday night. It’s the second trip to the Gem City this season for coach Jon Adkins’ program after a 42-14 win in Week 3 against Quincy Notre Dame.
2. Sullivan/Okaw Valley
Record: 8-0
Previous ranking: No. 3
Talk about a football renaissance. Sullivan/OV is already into the playoffs for the first time since 2015 and will vie for its first undefeated regular season since 1958. All that’s standing in the way is fellow unbeaten Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond.
3. ALAH
Record: 8-0
Previous ranking: No. 4
The communities of Arthur, Lovington, Atwood and Hammond have had some football success before. But not like this combined unit. The Knights are a win away from heading into the playoffs with a 9-0 record if they can beat Sullivan/OV on Friday night.
4. St. Thomas More
Record: 8-0
Previous ranking: No. 5
Peace Bumba just rushed for another long touchdown by the time you finished reading this sentence. The Sabers will try to cap an unbeaten regular season on Saturday night when they head southeast to take on a quality Martinsville team that’s 7-1.
5. Westville
Record: 7-1
Previous ranking: No. 6
Since their Week 3 loss to fellow 7-1 team Momence, coach Guy Goodlove’s Tigers have won five straight. And are averaging 49.8 points during their current run of success leading into Friday night’s home game with Iroquois West at Memorial Field.
6. LeRoy
Record: 7-1
Previous ranking: No. 2
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley finally figured out how to slow down the high-octane Panthers’ offense, with coach BJ Zeleznik’s team losing 8-6 on the road last Friday night. They’ll try to regroup this Friday night at home against a desperate 4-4 Fieldcrest team.
7. Centennial
Record: 6-2
Previous ranking: No. 7
The Chargers can’t contend for a Big 12 title this season — that’s Normal Community’s to lose — but coach Kyle Jackson’s team can improve its chances of hosting a first-round playoff game if it can pull off an impressive road win on Friday night at Normal West.
8. St. Joseph-Ogden
Record: 6-2
Previous ranking: No. 8
If the Spartans can win on grass at Paxton-Buckley-Loda on Friday night — I-57 Stadium at Zimmerman Field is only SJ-O’s second game on grass this season — then they should return to the turf at Dick Duval Field for a first-round home playoff game.
9. GCMS
Record: 6-2
Previous ranking: No. 9
A Heart of Illinois Conference Small title is there for the taking for coach Chad Augsperger’s program. The Falcons should feel good after their win against LeRoy last Friday night before boarding the bus to play at 6-2 Heyworth this Friday night.
10. Unity
Record: 6-2
Previous ranking: No. 10
Good news for Rockets’ fans: their defense is flying around and making plays again. Bad news for Rockets’ opponents: their defense is flying around and making plays again. Unity has allowed 12 points in its last three games before Friday’s trip to Monticello.
