This weekend I watched St. Rita defeat Mount Carmel, 23-21, but bailed on the Marian Central - Nazareth game at the first sign of rain. (More on that later.) Before I get to my own thoughts, here are the rankings from the three news services I follow.
MaxPreps
1. Providence
2. St. Rita
3. Stevenson
4. Sacred Heart-Griffin
5. Loyola
6. Edwardsville
7. Nazareth
8. Waubonsie Valley
9. Brother Rice
10. Maine South
11. Joliet Catholic
Chicago Tribune
1. Stevenson
2. Glenbard West
3. Providence
4. Cary-Grove
5. St. Rita
6. Nazareth
7. Maine South
8. Oak Park and River Forest
9. Waubonsie Valley
10. Loyola
11. Homewood-Flossmoor
Sun-Times
1. Stevenson
2. Homewood-Flossmoor
3. Glenbard West
4. Cary-Grove
5. Maine South
6. Oak Park and River Forest
7. Waubonsie Valley
8. Providence
9. St. Rita
10. Bolingbrook
11. Nazareth
Now here's how -- and why -- I think I'd be expected to rank my Top Eleven (some comments are tongue-in-cheek):
1. St. Rita (4-0)
Undefeated in the Catholic League Blue -- the best conference in the state -- and beat last year's 7A champ Mount Carmel.
2. Glenbard West (4-0)
Undefeated in the West Suburban Silver but struggled against Lyons (2-2).
3. Nazareth (4-0)
Undefeated in the East Suburban Catholic, which is not as good as the Catholic League. Can't rank an ESCC team above an undefeated Glenbard West, ever.
4. Oak Park and River Forest (4-0)
Same as above: can't rank OPRF above an undefeated Glenbard West until they beat them in the ring.
5. Lincoln-Way East (3-1)
All my undefeated teams are ranked; time to move down the list. Gotta get a Southwest Suburban Blue team in there somewhere and can't rank them below a city team like Phillips.
6. Carmel (2-2)
Have to rank the Corsairs above Phillips because they beat them on the field.
7. Phillips (3-1)
Last winning record on my list.
8. Mount Carmel (1-3)
Can't believe I have the Caravan ranked this low. But they do have a losing record.
9. Naperville North (2-2)
Huskies have the better record of my two DVC teams, the other best conference in Illinois.
10. Wheaton Warrenville South (1-3)
Have to rank the Tigers above St. Patrick because they're in the DVC and because, well, they're Wheaton Warrenville South.
11. St. Patrick (2-2)
Somebody's gotta be last, and it can't be Mount Carmel or Wheaton Warrenville South.
But what do I really think?
1. St. Rita (4-0)
They beat Mount Carmel. Let's see how they do against Providence (4-0) at home this week.
2. Mount Carmel (1-3)
Take a deep breath, everyone. The Caravan is three points away from being 3-1. Granted, Frank Lenti has some work to do but let's not panic here. Carmel should get back on track this week against De La Salle (1-3), although the Meteors are tougher than people think.
3. Oak Park and River Forest (4-0)
I still think Lloyd Yates and Dewayne Collins are the two best athletes I've seen this year. Huskies can't look past York (3-1) to Glenbard West next week.
4. Glenbard West (4-0)
Hitters got past Lyons but now travel to Hinsdale Central (3-1). Should remain undefeated for that big Week Six showdown against OPRF.
5. Lincoln-Way East (3-1)
Griffins barely beat Lockport (0-4) and will have their hands full this week at home against Homewood-Flossmoor (3-1).
6. Phillips (3-1)
Wildcats demolished Julian (2-2), 69-0. I don't like it when teams run up the score. We get it: you're a lot better than they are -- now put in the second-string. Brooks (1-3) will be their next victim.
7. Nazareth (4-0)
These guys are good, no doubt about it. I just can't seem to move them up my list. If the Roadrunners can beat Joliet Catholic (3-1) in Week Seven they could enter the postseason undefeated.
8. Wheaton Warrenville South (1-3)
Did anyone think the Tigers and Wheaton North would both be 1-3 when they met in Week Five? Looking at their schedule, though, South could still finish at 6-3 and be tough in the postseason. Never count out a Ron Muhitch (or a Frank Lenti) team.
9. Carmel (2-2)
Like Nazareth, I'd like to rank these guys higher. They looked very impressive when I saw them beat Phillips in Week Two. Corsairs should improve to 3-2 this week against St. Patrick.
10. (Tie) St. Patrick (2-2) and Naperville North (2-2)
Shamrocks are underdogs to Carmel at home this week while Huskies may get bested by Lake Park (3-1). Could be a long year for both teams.
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