Maine South is back...

...in the Tribune's Top 20 rankings, coming in at No. 15 this week after its big 55-16 win over Glenbrook South. The Hawks may be peaking at just the right time as they enter their last regular season game at home against New Trier. Don't be surprised to see the Park Ridge squad challenging for the 8A title once again in November. The Hawks have been to the state finals five times, including back-to-back championships in 2008 and '09.

After Maine South's disastrous start, in which they lost to Schaumburg, 29-7, and Wheaton Warrenville South, 44-7, they have been on a tear. The Hawks have won their last six games by a combined score of 298-57, including two shutouts. Coach Dave Inserra, in his tenth year at the helm of Maine South, has finally settled on Matt Alviti (above) as his starting quarterback and the sophomore has responded, passing for 11 touchdowns in the last six games. Alviti has a number of talented receivers in which to throw, including Scott Derrick, Luke Motley, and Imran Khan.

In addition, junior running back Paul Preston (above), whose father played for Maine South, has scored at least 11 touchdowns in the six-game winning streak.