Bolingbrook leads the pack in the Land of Lincoln, but watch for Maine South, Wheaton-Warrenville South, East St. Louis and Joliet Catholic.
Bolingbrook brings back Aaron Bailey at quarterback, and that in combo with a prolific group of rushers makes the Raiders our pick as the state's top team.
Photo by Colin Sean King
13-1
Head coach: John Ivlow
Team PreviewThe defending Class 8A champion, Bolingbrook has become a bastion of talent. Despite losing Antonio Morrison (Florida) to graduation, the team returns Illinois commit
Aaron Bailey at quarterback and touted junior
Parrker Westphal at defensive back. Bailey is one of the most electric players in the state, but running backs
Omar Stover and
Jaden Huff also return to share the brunt of the workload. Bolingbrook will need to replace two players found on the list of
Illinois Class of 2012 Division 1 signees.
2. Maine South (Park Ridge)2011 finish: 10-1
Head coach: Dave Inserra
Team PreviewIn 2011, Maine South started 10-0 (including a win over Wheaton-Warrenville South) before getting stunned by Stevenson 24-22 in the playoffs, snapping its streak of three straight Class 8A state titles. With Northwestern-bound quarterback
Matt Alviti back at the helm of the offense, there's no reason to think that Maine South won't be back in the title mix this fall. Led by
Pat Maloney, the team's offensive line will be its best in years. Keep an eye on 6-foot-6 sophomore receiver
George Sargent. Maine South ranks second on our June, 2011 list of the
Top 10 Illinois football dynasties.
3. Wheaton-Warrenville South (Wheaton)2011 finish: 10-4
Head coach: Ron Muhitch
Team PreviewWheaton-Warrenville South has been remarkably consistent under Muhitch's tenure. A four-loss season in 2012 has this year's Tigers playing with the proverbial chip on their shoulders, despite the fact that the team rallied to play for the Class 7A title. A big and experienced offensive line, led by
Frank Garcia and
Kyle Joyce, will be one of the team's strengths. Whoever wins the quarterback competition will have the luxury of throwing to 6-3 receiver
Corey Davis. Wheaton-Warrenville South is the top team on our
Illinois Top 10 most consistent football programs list.
4. East St. Louis2011 finish: 9-3
Head coach: Darren Sunkett
Team PreviewIt has been a tumultuous few seasons for East St. Louis, but the team appears ready to rebound. It closed 2011 very strong, losing narrowly to Wheaton-Warrenville South in the playoffs and returns lots of young talent, including speedster
Natereace Strong. The Flyers will need to replace productive quarterback Lamontiez Ivy. East St. Louis will look to add its name again to the list of
Illinois state football champions for the past 10 years.
5. Joliet Catholic Academy (Joliet)2011 finish: 11-3
Head coach: Dan Sharp
Team PreviewWith arguably the nation's top running back returning in the form of
Ty Isaac, Joliet Catholic should have a good chance to return to the Class 5A title game, where it lost a shootout to Montini, 70-45. Quarterback
Craig Slowik and several key linemen are also back for the Hilltoppers. Search for Joliet Catholic Academy players on the list of
2011 Illinois All-League Football Teams.
