High school football rankings: Cary-Grove finishes No. 1 in final Illinois MaxPreps Top 25
By Aaron Williams
Nov 30, 2021, 7:40am
Trojans get late defensive stand to hold off East St. Louis to win 6A title, extend win streak to 18.
The high school football season in Illinois came to a close over the weekend.
Cary-Grove (Cary) was among the victors with a 37-36 win over East St. Louis in the 6A championship game. That victory helped propel the Trojans to the No. 1 ranking in the final Illinois MaxPreps Top 25.
Cary-Grove went 14-0 in 2021 and was playing in its sixth title game, winning in 2009 and 2018. The Trojans shocked the Flyers in the 6A title contest with a late-game defensive stand as senior tight end
Noah Riley entered on defense and intercepted Robert Battle's pass with 28 seconds remaining.
Defensive dominance was a trademark of the Trojans, who allowed 220 points all season while piling up 642 points scored. Cary-Grove enters 2022 riding an 18-game win streak stretching across two seasons.
In other Land of Lincoln action, senior running back
Ty Schultz powered Lockport to an 8A crown with more than 200 yards rushing in the Porters' 24-6 win over Main South.
Read on for a complete look at the final Illinois MaxPreps Top 25.
2021 ILLINOIS STATE CHAMPIONS
FINAL IHSA MAXPREPS TOP 25
