Steve Millar’s high school football rankings and Week 8 top players for the Daily Southtown

Big movers include Brother Rice, Lincoln-Way Central and Providence. St. Rita enters rankings.

Top 10

With records through Sunday and previous rankings in parentheses.

1. Mount Carmel 8-0 (1)

Late TD by Nathan Samuels allows Caravan to escape with thrilling 35-28 win over Fenwick.

2. Brother Rice 7-1 (3)

King Liggins and Crusaders’ defense shows how scary they can be in 48-6 rout of St. Laurence.

3. Lincoln-Way East 7-1 (2)

Jonas Williams rests up and the Griffins lose in the regular season for the first time since 2021.

4. Lincoln-Way Central 7-1 (5)

Aiden Hennings helps the Knights shut down Waubonsie Valley for a 37-7 victory.

5. Providence 6-2 (6)

Coach Tyler Plantz and Celtics would love to end rival Joliet Catholic’s playoff hopes Friday night.

6. Lincoln-Way West 7-1 (4)

Grant Tustin shows off his legs on 64-yard TD run, but Warriors fall 35-13 to Bradley-Bourbonnais.

7. Richards 7-1 (8)

Noah Escobedo spreads the ball around to several dynamic playmakers in an explosive offense.

8. Lockport 5-3 (9)

After falling one win short last season, Chris Miller and the Porters punch their playoff ticket.

9. Sandburg 6-2 (10)

Luke Basiorka becomes program’s all-time leading rusher during a 24-21 win over Neuqua Valley.

10. St. Rita 4-4 (NR)

It’s all on the line for Steven Armbruster and the Mustangs in Week 9 battle with IC Catholic.

Offensive Player of the Week

Senior running back Justin Cobbs piles up 234 yards and four TDs on 30 carries for Lincoln-Way Central in a 37-7 Southwest Valley Red win over Waubonsie Valley.

Special Teams Player of the Week

Lockport senior Adam Kozak returns a punt 52 yards for a TD in a 34-21 Southwest Valley Blue victory over Metea Valley.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/19/steve-millar-ihsa-football-rankings-week-8-top-players-southland/