Providence, Eisenhower and St. Laurence enter the rankings, while Hillcrest’s Gary Bradley and Joliet Catholic’s Nico Ronchetti are the players of the week.
Top 10
With records through Sunday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Mount Carmel 9-1 (1)
Marist transfers Matthew Markett and Alonzo Manning come up big against St. Rita.
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2. Lincoln-Way East 10-0 (2)
Senior running back Nuri Muhammad zeros in on a 1,000-yard season for Griffins.
3. Morgan Park 9-1 (3)
Marcus Thaxton-to-Chris Durr combo will be tested in second round against Sycamore.
4. Lincoln-Way Central 9-1 (4)
Yikes! Braden Meyer and Knights take on Batavia team that beats Brother Rice 46-0.
5. Lincoln-Way West 8-2 (5)
Joey Campagna runs for 189 yards vs. Hoffman Estates, sets up long trip to Collinsville.
6. Richards 8-2 (6)
Neil Glynn leads way for Bulldogs, who host Chatham Glenwood in the second round.
7. Joliet Catholic 6-3 (7)
HJ Grigsby gains 140 yards in helping Hilltoppers top Peoria, last year’s Class 5A runner-up.
8. Providence 6-4 (NR)
Luke Leverett ties Class 5A playoff record with three interceptions against Morton.
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9. Eisenhower (NR)
Derrick Hampton gets 23 tackles, Cardinals prevail in 2 OTs for first playoff win since 2015.
10. St. Laurence 7-3 (NR)
Fizz? No, Rizz. Harley Rizz turns two carries into 120 yards, two TDs vs. Chicago Vocational.
Offensive Player of the Week
Junior quarterback Gary Bradley runs for 161 yards and passes for 129 yards as Hillcrest roll past Carbondale 22-8 win in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.
Defensive Player of the Week
Junior defensive end Nico Ronchetti tallies 10 tackles, eight solos, one sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for Joliet Catholic in a 40-16 win over Peoria, which entered the game averaging 55 points a game.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.