Carmel, Lake Zurich and Antioch move up behind No. 1 Warren after winning their games in the first round of the playoffs.
TOP 10
With records through Wednesday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Warren 9-1 (1)
Zion Vines-Peterson racks up 14 tackles, including two for loss, and returns an interception for a touchdown in the Blue Devils’ Class 8A first-round win over New Trier.
2. Carmel 8-2 (3)
Jaquel Edmonds rushes for 116 yards and a TD on 15 carries in the Corsairs’ 7A first-round win over Normal Community.
3. Lake Zurich 8-2 (4)
Arturo Zarinana, Brock Rubicz and Jackson Lewandowski spearhead a sterling defensive effort in the Bears’ 6A first-round win over Grant.
4. Antioch 8-2 (5)
Kelen Wilson rushes for 182 yards and three TDs on 13 carries in the Sequoits’ 6A first-round win over Glenbard South.
5. Wauconda 9-1 (2)
Jackson Rudolph caps his varsity career by rushing for 1,298 yards and 23 TDs on 167 carries as a senior for the Bulldogs, who lost to St. Patrick in the 5A first round.
6. Stevenson 6-4 (6)
With the Patriots’ loss to Lincoln-Way East in the 8A first round, Aidan Crawley ends his varsity career with 4,697 yards and 45 TDs through the air and 1,166 yards and 18 TDs on the ground.
7. Grant 6-4 (7)
Max Hembrey makes 50 catches for 1,200 yards, averaging a state-best 24.0 yards per reception, in his senior season for the Bulldogs.
8. Highland Park 7-3 (8)
After the Giants’ loss to Wheaton Warrenville South in the 6A first round, Lucas Gordon finishes his varsity career with 128 catches for 2,289 yards and 25 TDs, all program records.
9. Lakes 6-4 (9)
Dillan Davis ends his varsity career as the all-time leader in tackles for loss and sacks for the Eagles, who lost to Kaneland in the 5A first round.
10. Libertyville 5-5 (10)
With the Wildcats’ loss to Burlington Central in the 6A first round, highly recruited Brock Williams finishes his junior season with 40 catches for 580 yards and 10 TDs.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior wide receiver Luke Sickmeir makes eight catches for 280 yards and two touchdowns during Wauconda’s 49-28 loss to St. Patrick in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior linebacker/wide receiver Christopher Chang returns the opening kickoff 72 yards for a touchdown, turns a hitch pass into a 70-yard touchdown catch and makes two interceptions during Lake Zurich’s 46-13 win over Grant in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
