Updated Illinois Power 25 Team Rankings

May 16, 2016

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

This is the seventh installment of the Illinois Power 25 Team Rankings. Brother Rice has now won 28 straight games and went 4-and-0 on the week. The Crusaders hold strong at No. 1 for the third straight week in the Power Rankings.

Below is a breakdown of the movement in this week’s Power 25:

CLICK HERE to view updated Power 25 Team Rankings

Climbing

+ Plainfield North (22-2) – For the second straight week, swept a three game series against a fellow Plainfield High School. The Tigers defeated Plainfield East 10-2, 17-5 and 8-1 this week and now are No. 3 in the Power Rankings.

+ Lincoln-Way North (24-3) – Went 3-0 on the week and have now won 21 straight games. Now the No. 4 team in the Power Rankings. They travel to take on No. 3 Plainfield North this afternoon.

+ Providence Catholic (22-7) – The back-to-back state champions are getting hot at the right time and are poised to make a run at a record, third straight 4A state title. The Celtics with 4-0 on the week, defeating Mt. Carmel and Loyola Academy twice. Senior Tom Kelley, a Miami (OH) recruit, is back in the lineup after missing most of the year due to injury.

+ Prairie Ridge (26-6) – Sit in the Top 15 for the first time all year. Went 3-1 on the week with a statement win over No. 5 St. Charles North.

+ Oak Park (22-6) – Undefeated on the week with a convincing victory over New Trier. Also, defeated Glenbard West 10-2. Now No. 16.

+ Plainfield South (19-8) – Pitching has been the Cougars strength throughout much of the season and that held true once again this week as they went 2-0 with two shutouts over Romeoville.

+ Rockford Christian (26-3) – Defending 2A state champions went 4-0 on the week. 17 straight wins have the Royal Lions poised for a run at a consecutive state title.

Sinking

+ St. Laurence (23-7) – Went 1-3 on the week. Lost two to No. 1 Brother Rice and lost to No. 8 St. Rita 3-2. Defeated St. Francis 10-8.

+ Mount Carmel (22-7) – Went 2-3 on the week. Lost 7-1 to No. 1 Brother Rice and lost two against No. 7 Providence Catholic. Defeated Marmion twice.

+ Lemont (19-6) – Slid three spots to No. 17 after a 2-1 week. Beat Shepard and Evergreen Park but lost to Lincoln-Way Central 5-4.

+ Peoria Notre Dame (24-6) – Slid two spots after a 2-1 week. Split with No. 19 Champaign Central and beating Peoria Central.

+ Niles Notre Dame (18-8) – No. 25 after going 3-2 on the week. Got shutout in their two losses to new No. 24 Marian Catholic. Beat St. Patrick twice and Marian Central Catholic once.

New to the Top 25

+ Marian Catholic (21-9) – Jumped to the No. 24 spot after going 4-1 on the week. Did not allow a run in their four wins on the week. Defeated Joliet Catholic twice and Niles Notre Dame twice. The one loss came in a midweek matchup against Andrean (IN).

Dropped Out

+ Naperville Central

Just Missed the Cut

+ Naperville Central (20-9)
+ Mundelein (22-7)
+ Morton (24-6)
+ Wauconda (21-4)
+ Barrington (24-7)
+ Carrollton (25-5)
+ Williamsville (25-5)
+ Pleasant Plains (26-7)
+ Reed-Custer (23-5)
+ Nazareth (19-10)
+ Sacred Heart-Griffin (22-7)
+ Crystal Lake South (22-4)
+ Geneseo (23-4)
+ Carmel Catholic (17-9)
+ Herscher (24-8)
+ Glenbard East (22-7)
+ Champaign Centennial (20-7)
+ Hubbard (21-3)
+ Alton (20-10)
+ Downers Grove South (22-8)
+ Oak Forest (17-6)
+ Stevenson (20-7-1)
+ Morgan Park (17-5)
+ St. Charles East (21-9)
+ Rochester (17-8)
+ Auburn (20-8)

CLICK HERE to view updated Power 25 Team Rankings