IHSFW.com's Big 30 2003

The "Big 30"

Rankings 2003 Final

Teams are displayed by rank, (previous week rank)& [preseason rank]

1.(1) [1]Mundelein (Carmel)14-0, 6A State Finals 54-26 over #5Bloomington (HS)(13-1), view 6A Playoff Bracket, Corsairs still soar without Venegoni. Close game opened up after several late Bloomington Turnover. Jr. QB Sloan could help Carmel next year even as they lose most starters to graduation.

2.(10) [3] Lockport (Twp.) 12-2, 8A State Finals 48-27 overPark Ridge (Maine South)13-1, View 8A Playoff Bracket, Porters re-adjusted late in the season after going 7-2 to repeat as Class 8A State Champs. QB Jake Christensen returns next season and will be looking to build on the 3,686 yards he passed for this season.

3. (7) [11] Joliet (Catholic) 13-1, 5A State Finals 24-21 over #4 Springfield (S.H.G.) (13-1), view 5A Playoff Bracket, The Hilltoppers strong armed the Cyclones before growing laxed, but avoided loosing as a late rally had JC sweating in 20 degree weather. Look for JC to be a 2004 Preseason favorite as they return plenty of talent & size.

4. (6) [21] Oswego (HS) 13-1, 7A State Finals 28-21 2OT over Libertyville (13-1), view 7A Playoff Bracket, Panther's won the most exciting Finals game of the weekend, as every on contributed to the team effort for this Panthers victory.

5.(3)[18] Libertyville13-1, 7A State Finals Lost 28-21 2OT toOswego (HS)(13-1), view 7A Playoff Bracket Great set of athlete's get as close to being State Champs as a team can without winning. Cat's put fourth a solid effort that no one should be ashamed of.

6.(4)[28] Springfield (S.H.G.) 13-1, 5A State Finals lost 24-21 to #7Joliet (Catholic)(13-1), view 5A Playoff Bracket, Cyclones had to earn their touchdowns as the Hilltopper defense didn't give up any big yardage plays on the ground. Passing game helped for their comeback. Eric Peterman returns next season for his senior season.

7(2)[10]Park Ridge (Maine South)13-1, 8A State Finals 48-27 loss to #10 Lockport (Twp.) 12-2, view 8A Playoff Bracket. Hawks fall after being heavily favored as Lockport surprises everyone after a less than perfect season.

8(5)[16]Bloomington (HS)13-1, 6A State Finals 54-26 loss to #1Mundelein (Carmel)view, 6A Playoff Bracket. Raiders fumbled on all 5 of their last possessions. Resulting in 3 Carmel TDs, helping increase a 7 point deficit to 28.

9(9)[NR]Downers Grove (North)12-1, 28-7 Semi Finals loss toOswego (HS), view 7A Playoff Bracket. Trojans can take stock in being the third best team in 7A. Will be a preseason favorite for 2004.

10(11)[NR] Minooka 10-3, 40-20 Semifinals loss toMundelein (Carmel), view 6A Playoff Bracket, Minooka is a the verge of becoming a playoff regular.

11(14)[25]East St. Louis (Sr.)11-1, 33-20 Quarterfinal loss toOswego (HS)season over view 7A Playoff Bracket. Plenty of speed & talent to help the Flyers on offense next year.

12(8)[23]Chicago (St. Rita)11-2, 20-7 Semi Finals loss toBloomington (HS), view 6A Playoff Bracket, Mustangs will run wild again next season as Wade Weyer & others return.

13(15)[NR]Chicago (Brother Rice)11-2, Semi Finals loss to Lockport (Twp.) view 8A Playoff Bracket. Two years ago Crusaders were in the cellar of the CMC by years end.

14(12)[24]Roselle (Lake Park)10-3 Semi Finals loss toPark Ridge (Maine South), view 8A Playoff Bracket. Lancers have missed the playoffs only once since Andy Livingston became head coach in 1994. Look for them to return next year as well.

15(13)[9]Mt. Prospect (Prospect)11-2, 27-0 Semi Finals loss to Libertyville view 7A Playoff Bracket. Knights players will remember what it's like not to be practicing on Thanksgiving day and should be fired up for a shot to return to Champaign.

16(17)[NR] Wheaton (W. Warrenville South) 8-4, 27-14 Quarterfinal loss to Lockport (Twp.), 8A Playoff Bracket.Tigers shocking victory of top rankedNaperville (North)get them notoriety as a top team for 2003.

17(16)[NR] McHenry 10-2, 41-27 quarterfinal loss to Libertyville .View 7A Playoff Bracket. Warriors only losses this season were from Libertyville.

18(18)[2] New Lenox (Providence) 9-3, 14-10 quarterfinals loss to Minooka, View 6A Playoff Bracket, Celtics off year would have gotten most teams a parade through town. Don't think they won't make it into next years preseason rankings.

19(19)[NR]Hinsdale (Central)10-2, 24-21 quarterfinal loss toChicago (Brother Rice), view 8A Playoff Bracket, Red Devils may be the surprise of the season after losing all their talent from 2002 & under new head coach Tony Lombardi.

20(21)[NR]Addison (Driscoll)14-0, 4A State Finals 37-21 overFairbury (Prairie Central) (13-1) , view 4A Playoff Bracket. Driscoll wins 3rd straight title as Prairie Central's passing attack could get over the Highlander defense.

21(22)[NR] Chicago (Morgan Park) 10-2, 26-7 Quarterfinal loss toDowners Grove (North), view 7A Playoff Bracket. Always plenty of talent & speed on this public league team. After beating Hubbard they now carry the torch in the quest for a Chicago Public state champion.

22(25)[7]Naperville (North)10-1, 34-7 loss toWheaton (W. Warrenville South)2nd Round, view 8A Playoff Bracket. Wunderlich returns for his third season as the starting QB, as the Huskies look to defend their DVC Title.

23(23)[NR]Barrington10-2, 32-28 Quarterfinals loss toRoselle (Lake Park), view 8A Playoff Bracket. Broncos set to battle for first place in next years Mid-Suburban (West).

24(20)[NR]Carol Stream (Glenbard North)9-2, view 28-26 2nd round loss toRoselle (Lake Park)view 8A Playoff Bracket. Underdog of the DVC surprised everyone this season.

25(24)[NR]Rockford (Boylan)10-2, 42-14 Quarterfinals loss toMundelein (Carmel), view 6A Playoff Bracket. Boylan avenges only loss this season before falling to eventual state champs.

26(26)[NR]Bolingbrook9-2, 41-6 2nd round loss toOswego (HS), VIEW 7A Playoff Bracket. The Brook returns some key underclassmen for 2004.

27(NR) [13] Morris 9-3, 14-10 Quarterfinals loss to 5A State ChampsJoliet (Catholic)13-1. View 5A Playoff Bracket. Only 6A state champion Carmel gave Joliet Catholic a tougher game this season.

28(28)[NR]Wilmette (Loyola Academy)9-4, Prep Bowl 22-14 overChicago (Simeon)(7-7), view Prep Bowl . Ramblers get their Championship in the Prep Bowl after bowing out to #15Mt. Prospect (Prospect)in the IHSA 7A playoffs.

29(NR)[NR] Deerfield 10-2, 35-27 Quarter Finals loss toMt. Prospect (Prospect)(11-2). View 7A Playoff Bracket. Warriors make it out of the 2nd round for the 1st time since 1990 after finishing the regular season 8-1.

30(NR)[NR]Stillman Valley13-1, 21-7 3A State Finals victory overWilmington(13-1) , view 3A Playoff Bracket. Shut down Wilmington in the 3A Finals while scoring 21 points on one of the best defenses in the state.

On the verge
Hoffman Estates (Conant)
Chatham (Glenwood)
Chicago (Simeon)

Out for now

#27 Fairbury (Prairie Central) 13-1 4A State Finals 37-21 loss toAddison (Driscoll)(14-0)
#29 Wilmington 13-1 3A State Finals 21-7 loss toStillman Valley(13-1)
#30Carthage 13-1 2A State Finals 32-14 loss toGilman (Iroquois West)(13-1)