How SBLive Illinois' Power 25 teams fared in Week 7: Brother Rice tops Joliet Catholic in two overtimes

By Max Baker and Mike Carpinelli

Here’s a look at the Week 7 results for the teams in the SBLive Illinois Power 25.

1. East St. Louis (5-2) defeated Alton 80-0

The Flyers hosted Alton for Homecoming in a rare Friday night home game and rolled over the visiting Redbirds for the 200th victory of Darren Sunkett’s coaching career. East Side led 26-0 after one quarter and 59-0 at halftime. Sophomore RB TaRyan Martin scored three touchdowns. Illinois commit Antwon Hayden scored on a blocked punt recovery and fumble return. Alton fell to 1-6.

2. Lincoln-Way East (7-0) defeated Homewood Flossmoor 52-14

It looked as though HF could give the second-ranked Griffins a scare after a 14-14 first quarter. From that point on, it was all Lincoln Way East. Their defense settled down and the offense continued to put up points as Lincoln Way secured a 52-14 victory. The Griffins will host last year's 8A state champion, Lockport (5-2) next week and will look to remain undefeated.

3. Loyola Academy (6-0) defeated Providence Catholic 34-22

For the second week in a row, Loyola got tested but prevailed with a fourth-quarter touchdown to go up by two scores. Providence Catholic fell to 4-2.

4. Mount Carmel (6-0) defeated St. Laurence 42-0

Mount Carmel pitched its third shutout of the season with a convincing 42-0 win Friday night over St. Laurence, which fell to 3-3. A matchup with St. Viator is the only thing in the way of a collision course between Loyola in two weeks.

5. Neuqua Valley (5-1) defeated Waubonsie Valley 28-0

Neuqua notched its fifth straight win Friday night with another victory over winless Waubonsie. Running back Jaden Mcgee had an 11-yard score while Grant Larkin also had a 31-yard TD from quarterback Ryan Mohler. The Neuqua Valley defense turned in a great effort holding Waubonsie (0-6) to just one first down and a total of minus-30 yards.

6. Wheaton North (6-1) defeated Wheaton Warrenville South 8-7

In a low scoring affair, Wheaton North hung on for an 8-7 victory over Wheaton Warrenville South (2-5). Tyler O’Connor had a fourth-quarter TD run and then completed a pass to tight end Joe Barna on a jump pass for the two-point conversion. Wheaton South opened the game with an 81-yard scoring drive that ate up nearly 11 minutes of the first quarter. A fourth quarter interception by defensive back Matt Kuczaj sealed the close win.

7. Lemont (7-0) defeated Richards 68-30

Lemont totaled 529 yards of offense in this high scoring South Suburban Conference matchup. This was the Indians’ second straight week putting up more than 60 points and they will look to remain undefeated against another conference opponent, Hillcrest, next week. Richards fell to 4-3.

8. Sacred Heart-Griffin (7-0) defeated Glenwood 49-0

Sacred Heart-Griffin remained undefeated with a big shutout win over Glenwood, which fell to 5-2 on the season. A matchup with Lamphier is next.

9. Simeon (7-0) defeated Kenwood 29-0

Standout running back Andre Crews scored three touchdowns, including an 80-yard run to open the scoring, to lead the Wolverines to a big win on Saturday. 

10. York (7-0) defeated Hinsdale Central 31-7

After a thrilling 17-13 win over Glenbard West last week, York was all alone at the top of the West Suburban Silver Conference. York kept their undefeated season alive with a 31-7 win against Hinsdale Central and clinched a share of the West Suburban Conference title (their first since 2010). Matt Vezza had two touchdown passes and Jake Melion ran for two scores. Hinsdale Central fell to 3-4.

11. Glenbard West (6-1) defeated Downers Grove North 28-21

Glenbard West took a 28-7 lead into the 4th quarter and although DGN made a late push, Glenbard West was able to hold on for a seven-point win. Glenbard West will next host Lyons Township. Downers Grove North fell to 5-2.

12. Hersey (7-0) defeated Wheeling 49-0

Hersey got off to a quick 21-0 lead in the 1st quarter and finished with a 49-0 win to move to 7-0. They will take on 6-1 Elk Grove in a conference matchup next week that could determine the winner of the Mid Suburban - East Conference. Wheeling fell to 3-4 with the loss.

13. Warren Township (6-1) defeated Waukegan 47-0

Warren got off to a hot start and took a 33-0 lead into the half. The Blue Devils’ defense was tough all night against Waukegan (0-6) as they secured their first shutout of the season.

14. Joliet Catholic (5-2) lost to Brother Rice (4-3) 31-24 in two overtimes

Joliet Catholic faced a tough Brother Rice team that lost 28-21 against No. 4 Mount Carmel last week. After taking a 14-3 lead in the first quarter, it looked as though the 14th-ranked Hilltoppers could run away with the game, but Brother Rice had other plans as the defense found their stride and held Joliet Catholic scoreless in the second quarter. Brother Rice outscored JC 14-3 in the second half to force overtime. Brother Rice went on to win 31-24 in double overtime after an unbelievable one-handed touchdown grab by Owen Lyons.

15. Prospect (6-1) defeated Buffalo Grove 55-27

Running back Gavin Flanagan rushed for 205 yards in the Knights’ big win over Buffalo Grove, which fell to 3-4. The Knights showed that their offense can score at multiple levels.

16. O’Fallon (6-1) defeated Belleville West 49-8

Quarterback Colt Michael broke the school’s single-season passing touchdown record with 23 touchdowns in seven games for the Panthers in their win over the Maroons. Belleville West fell to 0-6.

17. Prairie Ridge (6-1) defeated Dundee Crown 35-14

Prairie Ridge answered a touchdown from Dundee Crown (2-5) with five consecutive scores and went on to win by 21 points.

18. Edwardsville (6-1) defeated Belleville East 28-27

Edwardsville was on the right end of a close finish this week as Belleville East couldn’t complete a 2-point conversion to end the game. The Lancers scored on 4th-and-6 in the second overtime, but could not convert for the win. The two teams were tied at 14 at the end of regulation before trading scores in overtime. Belleville East fell to 3-4.

19. Maine South (5-2) defeated Niles West 45-7

The Hawks have now won three straight games after opening the season going 2-2 in the first four weeks. Maine South broke the game open with a 21-point second quarter. Niles West fell to 2-5.

20. Chicago Marist (4-3) defeated Montini Catholic (3-4) 37-7

After a 28-17 loss to No. 3 Loyola Academy last week, Marist needed to bounce back against the Montini Catholic Broncos. The RedHawks rolled in a 30-point win to get back over .500 and finish the regular season with games against Carmel and rival Brother Rice. Montini Catholic fell to 3-4.

21. Bolingbrook (4-3) lost to Lockport 34-33

Bolingbrook led by 13 points with less than two minutes left, but Lockport was able to score two touchdowns to stun the Raiders. The Porters (5-2), who snapped a two-game losing skid with a 34-28 win at Lincoln-Way West last week, converted a 2-point conversion for the win.

22. St. Rita (5-2) defeated Marian Central Catholic 52-19

St. Rita scored 28 second quarter points to take a 45-7 lead into the half. Alabama-bound kicker Conor Talty was good on a 42-yard attempt and was perfect on all extra points as the Mustangs rolled to a big win. St. Rita has now won their last four games and will visit conference foe Providence Catholic (4-3) next week. Marian Central Catholic fell to 2-5.

23. Crete-Monee (5-2) defeated Rich Township 30-26

After falling behind Rich Township 12-8 in the first half, Crete-Monee rattled off 16 unanswered points in the third quarter to take the lead and emerged with a hard-fought four-point win. The Warriors will travel to Bloom (Chicago Heights) next week. Rich Township fell to 3-3.

24. St. Charles North (6-1) defeated St. Charles East 38-7

After losing their opener, St. Charles North caught fire and won five straight games heading into their Week 7 contest against crosstown rival St. Charles East. It was all North Stars this week as they held St. Charles East scoreless until the fourth quarter and secured the victory. St. Charles Eat fell to 2-5.

25. South Elgin (7-0) defeated Elgin 49-25

South Elgin faced off against Upstate Eight rival Elgin and the Storm used 28 first-half points to roll to a big win. South Elgin will put its undefeated record on the line against visiting Bartlett (4-3) next. Elgin fell to 3-4.