Monday, October 6, 2014

Make it a baker's dozen.

That's how many teams I've seen so far this year in nine games. (Add Brother Rice to the list.)

Here's how the news services rank the top thirteen teams, followed by my own.

MaxPreps

1. Loyola
2. Providence
3. Stevenson
4. Maine South
5. Cary-Grove
6. Brother Rice
7. Edwardsville
8. Glenbard West
9. St. Rita
10. Joliet Catholic
11. Nazareth
12. Sacred Heart-Griffin
13. Waubonsie Valley

Chicago Tribune

1. Stevenson
2. Glenbard West
3. Loyola
4. Cary-Grove
5. Maine South
6. Nazareth
7. Providence
8. Oak Park and River Forest
9. St. Rita
10. Waubonsie Valley
11. Bolingbrook
12. Naperville Central
13. Lincoln-Way East

Sun-Times

1. Stevenson
2. Glenbard West
3. Cary-Grove
4. Maine South
5. Bolingbrook
6. Nazareth
7. Waubonsie Valley
8. Naperville Central
9. Lincoln-Way East
10. Oak Park and River Forest
11. Brother Rice
12. Loyola
13. Providence

BOWG (Here's how I would be expected to rank them.)

1. Glenbard West (6-0)

Undefeated, untied in the West Suburban Silver, the Hilltoppers have beaten Wheaton Warrenville South (2-4), Lyons (3-3), Hinsdale Central (4-2) and Oak Park and River Forest (5-1).

Only Addison Trail (6-0) and York (4-2) stand in the way of a perfect regular season.

2. Nazareth (6-0)

Also unbeaten, the Roadrunners defeated Marian Central (4-2) and Benet (4-2). 

If Nazareth can beat Joliet Catholic (5-1) this week they could also finish 9-0.

3. Providence (5-1)

Celtics fell to Loyola (5-1), a team I have yet to see, but beat Joliet Catholic (5-1), Mount Carmel (2-4), Marmion (4-2) and St. Rita (5-1).

One final test against Brother Rice (5-1) in Week Eight.

4. St. Rita (5-1)

Mustangs lost to Providence (5-1) but beat Simeon (5-1), Montini (4-2), Mount Carmel (2-4) and Aurora Christian (4-2).

Still need to play Loyola (5-1) and Brother Rice (5-1).

5. Brother Rice (5-1)

Crusaders lost to undefeated Brother Rice of Michigan (6-0) in Week One and then beat Loyola (5-1) and Mount Carmel (2-4).

Rice finishes with three tough games: Brebeuf Jesuit of Indiana (4-3), Providence (5-1) and St. Rita (5-1).

6. Oak Park and River Forest (5-1)

Huskies' only loss was to undefeated Glenbard West (6-0); beat Lincoln-Way East (5-1). 

OPRF can finish 8-1 if they can beat both Lyons (3-3) and Hinsdale Central (4-2).

7. Lincoln-Way East (5-1)

Griffins lost the opener to OPRF (5-1) before beating Lincoln-Way Central (4-2) and Homewood-Flossmoor (4-2).

Can the Frankfort squad defeat its archrival Bolingbrook (5-1) in Week Eight?

8. Carmel (4-2)

Corsairs beat Phillips but lost to Fenwick (4-2) and Joliet Catholic (5-1).

Carmel needs only one more victory against Benet (4-2), Marian Central (4-2) or Notre Dame (2-4) to become playoff-eligible. They should find it. 

9. Phillips (5-1)

Wildcats' only blemish was a home defeat to Carmel (4-2). Meanwhile, they've only beaten one team with a winning record, King (4-2).

Phillips could finish 8-1. 

10. Mount Carmel (2-4)

The Caravan hasn't beaten a winning team this year but lost to Providence (5-1), St. Rita (5-1) and Brother Rice (5-1). 

Carmel should be 4-4 when they host Loyola (5-1) in Week Nine. Would the IHSA even HAVE a post-season without a Frank Lenti team?

11. Wheaton Warrenville South (2-4)

The Tigers beat Lake Park (4-2) but lost to Glenbard West (6-0), Maine South (6-0), Naperville Central (5-1) and Wheaton North (2-4).

Coach Ron Muhitch finds himself in the same predicament as Coach Lenti. Tigers need to beat Naperville Central (5-1) in Week Nine to make the playoffs.

12. Naperville North (2-4)

Huskies beat Neuqua Valley (4-2) somehow, before losing to Phillips (5-1), Glenbard North (3-3), Lake Park (4-2) and Naperville Central (5-1).

North could get eliminated this week against Wheaton South (2-4).

13. St. Patrick (2-4)

Shamrocks beat Taft (4-2) but lost to Nazareth (6-0), Benet (4-2), Carmel (4-2) and Marist (3-3).

Even if St. Pat's gets past Notre Dame (2-4) this week, they still have to play St. Viator (3-3) and Marian Central (4-2). Like their North Side neighbors, it could be "wait until next year."

Tomorrow: What I really think.

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