Illinois high school football rankings: Loyola Academy No. 1 in 2024 Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

The Ramblers are aiming to capture their third consecutive state championship and are 45-2 since 2021, including unbeaten seasons in 2023 and the COVID-shortened spring 2021 campaign.

Seniors Donovan Robinson (6-3, 210, LB, committed to Washington), Drew MacPherson (6-1, 190, S, Iowa), Ryan Fitzgerald (6-3, 205, QB, Iowa), Brendan Loftus (6-7, 215, TE, Maryland) and Conner Sullivan (6-3, 255, DL, South Dakota State) lead the charge for Loyola Academy.

The best player in the state, however, may be Edwardsville standout Iosa Epenesa. Committed to Iowa, the senior defensive lineman had seven sacks last season for a team that expects to be a contender this fall.

In addition to Loyola Academy, defending state champions include Chicago Mt. Carmel in 7A, Cary-Grove (Cary) in 6A, Nazareth Academy (LaGrange Park) in 5A, Rochester in 4A, Byron in 3A, Wilmington in 2A and Camp Point Central (Camp Point) in 1A.

The Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 is a composite of the Preseason Top 100 and computer rankings factoring in past results and adjustments such as returners and statistical data when available. Illinois Preseason MaxPreps 25

1. Loyola Academy (Wilmette), 14-0, record in 2023
2. East St. Louis, 10-3
3. Chicago Mt. Carmel (Chicago), 13-1
4. Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort), 13-1
5. Nazareth Academy (LaGrange Park), 9-5
6. St. Francis (Wheaton), 10-3
7. Prairie Ridge (Crystal Lake), 9-1
8. St. Rita (Chicago), 8-5
9. Edwardsville, 10-2
10. Downers Grove North (Downers Grove), 11-3
11. Batavia, 11-2
12. Cary-Grove (Cary), 12-2
13. York (Elmhurst), 11-2
14. Carmel (Mundelein), 10-2
15. Rochester, 14-0
16. Saint Ignatius College Prep (Chicago), 8-4
17. Marist (Chicago), 6-6
18. Joliet Catholic (Joliet), 10-4
19. IC Catholic Prep (Elmhurst), 9-3
20. Brother Rice (Chicago), 5-5
21. Hersey (Arlington Heights), 10-1
22. Barrington, 12-1
23. Maine South (Park Ridge), 10-2
24. Washington, 11-2
25. Providence Catholic (New Lenox), 8-5