Addison (Driscoll)- Two time defending state champs still the team to beat.
Fairbury (Prairie Central) - Highest scoring team in 4A, has played 6 playoff qualifying teams & butts heads with mostly 5A teams in it's conference.
Roxana - The Shells are outscoring team by an average of 27 points a game. Add to that the best defense in 4A & you can see why Roxana is pick to make a trip to Champaign.
Burlington (Central)- Gets their first undefeated season, but could face a challenge with a possible tough bracket come quarterfinals.
Woodstock (Marian) - Marian's only loss was toAddison (Driscoll)in a game that saw them give up big play after big play in the first half. If only the second half counted Marian would could have won, as they allowed only two field goals.
Mt. Carmel - The 2002 & 2001 4A runner up may be 6-3, but they've been playing almost exclusively in Indiana against larger schools. With 3 of the 4 9-0 teams in the other bracket, the Golden Aces have a shot at being back in Chamapign in November.
Lombard (Montini) - You have to wonder if the Athletic Director at Montini was crazy or if they were desperate to fill some open dates. While playing 5A central Illinois powerhouse Springfield (S.H.G.) in week 1, might not be crazy at all. Their second loss came the following week to 8A Chicago (Lane Tech). Montini's other losses came in the conference toAddison (Driscoll)& Woodstock (Marian) . The Marian game was decided by a field goal.
Chicago (Leo) - BeforeNew Lenox (Providence)lost, it got a big scare from Leo. The final doesn't do justice to how close the game was as Leo was up at the half. Leo's main asset is it's speed, the school may not be a football powerhouse, but you'll be hard pressed to beat the Lions come track season.