CS8
1. SHG (7-0) The Cyclones didn’t slow down in Week 7 against Lanphier and likely won’t in Week 8 with the bright lights of the television cameras on them against Southeast. Senior night for a lot of high-powered weapons will be a good warmup for the Leonard Bowl in Week 9.
2. Rochester (7-0) A coming out party for the junior transfer D’Ante Cox in Week 7 means Coach Derek Leonard has yet another piece of the sixth straight state championship puzzle in place. MacArthur will be no match for this squad set to take on the challenge of SHG in Week 9.
3. Eisenhower (5-2) The strong Southeast defense was worn down by the powerful Panthers in Week 7. Cayleb Dehority has become a household name in the CS8 and if they can beat Glenwood this week, Ike will likely skate to 7-2 this regular season.
4. Glenwood (4-3) Coach Dan Rourke said he’ll take the win, but he wasn’t pleased with how his Titans played against SHS. If Glenwood can beat Eisenhower, they’ll get that coveted win number five heading into a Week 9 showdown with Jacksonville.
5. Jacksonville (4-3) Taking a tough home loss from Rochester is nothing to hang your head about, but the Crimsons offense struggled at times. Joe Brannan and company will get a chance to rebound against a winless Lincoln team this week and get that fifth win before they try to beat Glenwood in week nine for the first time in two decades.
6. Southeast (3-4) The Spartans played Eisenhower tough for a half but looked bang up and beaten down in the second and suffered their fourth loss. To pull off the upset of the Cyclones would not only save their season but would shock the whole state.
7. Lanphier (2-5) A shutout against SHG wasn’t what Coach Nikson had in mind last week but the Lions can finish their season on a win streak looking at Springfield High and Lincoln to wrap up what’s been an injury-riddled season.
8. Springfield High (2-5) The Senators went into Chatham and saw a 14-0 lead disappear along with their playoff hopes. If Coach Roy Gully can beat Lanphier, they’d get some much needed momentum before closing their season with a tough Eisenhower team.
9. MacArthur (1-6) Getting that first win of the year is great, no matter when it comes. How are the young Generals rewarded? They head to the five-time state champ Rochester Rockets for a tough Week 8 task.
10. Lincoln (0-7) They scored their second touchdown of the season last week and actually led, but the Railsplitters will have to host the Crimsons on senior night.
Sangamo
1. North Mac (7-0) Week 7 was a good way for the Panthers to prepare for their toughest test left in the regular season. Now it’s finally here. North Mac will travel to Chester in a battle of undefeated teams on Saturday.
2. New Berlin (6-1) A desperate Athens team gave the Pretzels an excellent taste of the playoffs. Barry Creviston’s crew has now won six straight but a tough road test at Auburn this week can lock in their spot at number two in our power rankings for the regular season.
3. Pleasant Plains (4-3) The two headed running monster of Logan McBride and Nik Georges carried the Cardinals through week seven with Jacob Cronister injured. If Croni is healthy, there’s no reason Coach Walworth can’t get his high-powered offense going
again and get to six wins in the regular season.
4. Williamsville (4-3) The Bullets offense has put up over 100 points in their last two games, but Williamsville gets a team with their backs completely against the wall in Athens on Friday. Coach Kunz knows how important six wins is compared to five, so Speed Inc. and the boys will be ready when they travel to see the Warriors this week.
5. Auburn (4-3) The long non-conference trip is out of the way and the Trojans have their fourth win. Getting a win over the Pretzels this week would be a huge momentum boost for Dave Bates’ boys, who close out the year with Pittsfield.
6. Athens (3-4) The Warriors gave it all they had against New Berlin and almost pulled it off in Week 7. Now they have to win out to make the playoffs and the Bullets and Cardinals have other plans.
7. Riverton (1-6) Sophomore quarterback Kyle Hogan stepped up and showed he was capable of making some plays against the conference's best team on the road. The Hawks have a good shot at win number two on the year when they host Pittsfield for senior night this week.
8. Pittsfield (1-6) Getting pounded by Pleasant Plains wasn’t in the plans for Pittsfield, but they can rebound in Riverton this week, with both teams looking for that second win of the season.
9. Porta (0-7) The Bluejays close out the season with two home games, but Plains and North Mac aren’t exactly what Porta had in mind for the rebuild for next season.
