Steve Millar’s high school football rankings and semifinal players of the week for the Daily Southtown

St. Rita and Providence move up in rankings, reach state with Mount Carmel and Brother Rice.

Top 10

With records through Saturday and previous rankings in parentheses.

1. Mount Carmel 13-0 (1)

Stephen Winkler, a two-way leader for the Caravan, hauls in TD catch in 42-21 win over Fremd.

2. Brother Rice 12-1 (2)

CJ Gray leads the Crusaders to the brink of program’s first state championship since 1981.

3. St. Rita 9-4 (4)

Walter Jones helps Mustangs top 50 points for second straight week in 54-34 win over Batavia.

4. Providence 10-3 (5)

Blake Garrigan recovers fumble to thwart Oak Forest’s momentum as Celtics win 31-21.

5. Lincoln-Way East 9-3 (8)

Senior defensive lineman Gage LaDere earns honorable mention all-state accolades.

6. Lincoln-Way West 10-2 (9)

Senior quarterback Grant Tustin gets Illinois High School Football Coaches Association all-state.

7. Lockport 9-4 (3)

Matt Kies plays postseason hero for Porters, turning in another big defensive performance.

8. Lincoln-Way Central 9-2 (10)

Coach Dave Woodburn leads Knights to five playoff wins over the last three seasons.

9. Oak Forest 11-2 (6)

Junior receiver/running back Ethan Copher thrives in both pass, run games against Providence.

10. St. Laurence 8-5 (7)

It takes mighty East St. Louis to stop memorable playoff run for Sean Rice and the Vikings.

Offensive Player of the Week

Senior quarterback Emmett Dowling throws for 341 yards and four touchdowns and adds a TD run for Mount Carmel in a 42-21 win over Fremd in Class 8A state semifinals.

Defensive Player of the Week

Sophomore linebacker Jack Schapendonk comes up with two sacks and other big plays for St. Rita in a 54-34 victory over Batavia in Class 7A state semifinals.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/25/steve-millar-ihsa-football-rankings-semifinal-players-of-the-week-southland/