Michael O’Brien’s Super 25 high school football rankings for Week 2

A fun, eventful Week 1 made the new Super 25 rankings an interesting task on Sunday morning.

There are no major changes at the top as Mount Carmel, Loyola and Lincoln-Way East all won big games.

Maine South was the biggest conundrum. The Hawks are one of the state’s historically excellent programs and feature star quarterback Jameson Purcell, an Indiana recruit. But Lincoln-Way East destroyed them 40-0 at home in Week 1. The shutout loss at home is much worse than the 49-22 loss in Frankfort that Maine South suffered last season.

The Hawks fall all the way to No. 22, but they have a major chance at redemption on Friday against Warren.

Glenbard West was the major winner this week. The Hilltoppers rise to No. 8 after winning at Batavia. Next up is another tough game against Joliet Catholic in Glen Ellyn.

Joliet Catholic lost at home to Lyons in Week 1 and dropped out of the rankings. Cary-Grove and Crete-Monee also fell out this week after picking up losses.

Lyons, Glenbrook South and Hinsdale Central are this week’s new additions to the Super 25. The Titans knocked off York in overtime and were an easy pick this week.

It’s possible that Hinsdale Central is a stretch. The Red Devils dominated a good West Aurora team in Week 1. Quarterback Riley Contreras impressed me last season, and that’s what gave Hinsdale Central the edge over the other contenders for the last spot.

Barrington, Prospect and Oswego just missed this week. I also considered adding Morgan Park after the Mustangs’ terrific performance against Downers Grove North on Saturday at Gately.

Super 25 high school football rankings for Week 2
With record and last week’s ranking

1. Mount Carmel (1-0) 1
Friday vs. No. 11 St. Rita

2. Loyola (1-0) 2
No game scheduled

3. Lincoln-Way East (1-0) 3
Friday vs. Kankakee

4. Nazareth (1-0) 7
Friday vs. Morgan Park

5. Downers Grove North (1-0) 5
Friday at Downers Grove South

6. Brother Rice (1-0) 8
Friday at No. 12 Marist

7. Fremd (1-0) 10
Friday vs. Buffalo Grove

8. Glenbard West (1-0) 24
Saturday vs. Joliet Catholic

9. Batavia (0-1) 6
Friday at South Elgin

10. Warren (1-0) 11
Friday vs. No. 22 Maine South

11. St. Rita (1-0) 14
Friday at No. 1 Mount Carmel

12. Marist (0-1) 12
Friday vs. No. 6 Brother Rice

13. St. Charles North (1-0) 15
Friday vs. Homewood-Flossmoor

14. Palatine (1-0) 17
Friday vs. Prospect

15. Richards (1-0) 19
Friday at Sandburg

16. Hersey (0-1) 16
Friday at Barrington

17. Lyons (1-0) NR
Friday vs. Wheaton-Warrenville South

18. St. Francis (1-0) 18
Saturday vs. Mt. Zion Prep, Md.

19. Prairie Ridge (1-0) 20
Friday vs. Jacobs

20. Montini (1-0) 21
Friday at Hillcrest

21. Fenwick (1-0) 22
Friday vs. Oak Park

22. Maine South (1-0) 4
Friday at No. 10 Warren

23. Glenbrook South (1-0) NR
Friday at Taft

24. York (0-1) 9
Friday vs. Plainfield North

25. Hinsdale Central (1-0) NR
Friday vs. Naperville Central

Michael O’Brien

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