Here are the latest @NBCSPreps Top 25 Power Rankings as teams embark on the first week of postseason play.
1. Lincoln-Way East 9-0 (1)
Last Week: Beat Lincoln-Way West, 35-3
This Week: vs Plainfield South
EDGY's Take: The Griffins draw a familiar playoff opponent in Plainfield South. LWE's defense has given up 12 points over the last four weeks.
2. Mount Carmel 9-0 (2)
Last Week: Beat Brother Rice, 28-13
This Week: vs Eisenhower
EDGY's Take: The Caravan draw the top overall seed in Class 7A.
3. Nazareth Academy 9-0 (3)
Last Week: Beat Benet Academy, 27-8
This Week: vs Libertyville
EDGY's Take: The Roadrunners will defend their 7A state title starting this week against the Naughty Kitties.
4. Warren Township 9-0 (5)
Last Week: Beat Mundelein, 42-0
This Week: vs Plainfield East
EDGY's Take: Plainfield East, winners in four of their last five, will offer some high-level skills and athletes against the Blue Devils.
5. Homewood-Flossmoor 8-1 (6)
Last Week: Beat Lincoln-Way Central, 28-14
This Week: vs Curie
EDGY's Take: Will the Vikings have a game or not against Curie? (teachers' strike)
6. Glenbard West 9-0 (7)
Last Week: Beat OPRF, 42-0
This Week: vs Downers Grove South
EDGY's Take: The Hitters draw a familiar foe in West Suburban Gold conference power Downers Grove South
7. Neuqua Valley 8-1 (8)
Last Week: Beat Metea Valley, 41-20
This Week: vs Conant
EDGY's Take: The Wildcats begin their state playoff path at home this week against a Conant team who started off the season 6-0.
8. Hinsdale Central 8-1 (10)
Last Week: Beat Lyons, 24-6
This Week: vs Bolingbrook
EDGY's Take: The Red Devils do not have an easy draw in the first round, drawing a Bolingbrook team coming off an overtime loss to Andrew.
9. Minooka 9-0 (13)
Last Week: Beat Oswego, 28-21
This Week: vs Joliet West
EDGY's Take: It's a Southwest Prairie rematch. The Indians defeated the Tigers 49-7 in the opening week of the regular season.
10. Maine South 7-2 (15)
Last Week: Beat New Trier, 44-7
This Week: vs Loyola
EDGY's Take: You simply could not draw up a better first round matchup.
11. Loyola Academy 6-3 (4)
Last Week: Lost to Marist, 14-6
This Week: @ Maine South
EDGY's Take: The Ramblers, coming off a home loss to Marist, will need to sort out any issues with local rival Maine South lurking.
12. Batavia 7-2 (16)
Last Week: Beat Wheaton North, 28-3
This Week: vs Thornwood
EDGY's Take: The Bulldogs face a brand new opponent in Thornwood.
13. Hillcrest 8-1 (17)
Last Week: Beat T.F. North, 30-7
This Week: vs St. Laurence
EDGY's Take: Talk about another great matchup. The Hawks will need to be ready as they battle a Vikings team with some solid wins and tight losses to marquee opponents.
14. Willowbrook 8-1 (18)
Last Week: Beat Proviso East, 44-6
This Week: vs Moline
EDGY's Take: The Warriors avoid the long bus trip in the first round and welcome in Moline.
15. Huntley 8-1 (19)
Last Week: Beat Dundee-Crown, 49-13
This Week: vs Taft
EDGY's Take: Will the Red Raiders play this week or will the CPL teachers strike give them a win and a bye?
16. Montini 7-2 (20)
Last Week: Beat Providence Catholic, 41-21
This Week: vs Elmwood Park
EDGY's Take: The Broncos are looking to return to the 5A state title game.
17. Prairie Ridge 8-1 (21)
Last Week: Beat Crystal Lake South, 79-28
This Week: vs Grayslake North
EDGY's Take: Has anyone been playing as well as Prairie Ridge lately? They are averaging over 51 points per game this season.
18. Rolling Meadows 9-0 (25)
Last Week: Beat Hersey, 38-35
This Week: vs Lincoln Park
EDGY's Take: The Mustangs get a huge win over rival Hersey. Will the Mustangs play or have to take a forfeit win because of the CPL teachers strike?
19. Hersey 8-1 (9)
Last Week: Lost to Rolling Meadows, 38-35
This Week: vs Rockford Auburn
EDGY's Take: The Huskies will need to bounce back from a tough loss to Rolling Meadows and be ready for Auburn.
20. Fremd 7-2 (22)
Last Week: Beat Hoffman Estates, 28-0
This Week: vs Plainfield North
EDGY's Take: The Vikings will need to account for the speed of a Plainfield North team that includes WR Marcellus Moore (Purdue).
21. St. Rita 6-3 (NR)
Last Week: Beat Notre Dame, 7-0
This Week: vs Glenbard South
EDGY's Take: The Mustangs have won five straight games and have posted some impressive wins, including last week's shutout over Notre Dame.
22. Notre Dame 7-2 (11)
Last Week: Lost to St. Rita, 7-0
This Week: vs Barrington
EDGY's Take: The Dons will need to rally the troops starting as playoff mainstay Barrington comes calling.
23. Crete-Monee 9-0 (23)
Last Week: Beat Thornridge, 62-12
This Week: vs Bremen
EDGY's Take: The Warriors always seem to get better as the postseason moves along.
24. St. Charles East 7-2 (24)
Last Week: Beat Lake Park, 23-14
This Week: @ Edwardsville
EDGY's Take: It's no question that the Saints have one of the toughest first round draws in the state.
25. Oswego 8-1 (14)
Last Week: Lost to Minooka, 28-21
This Week: vs Elgin
EDGY's Take: The Panthers will need to be aware of Maroons' junior QB Jeff Lomax and do-it-all senior Xavier Bonds.