Illinois Media Released High School Football Rankings

Four Peoria-area football teams secured positions in the latest statewide top 10 rankings.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Football

Illinois Media Released High School Football Rankings

Live Poll

Does your local high school football team's ranking matter to your community's pride?

Illinois Media published the latest high school football state rankings on September 24, 2026. The new poll features four teams from the Peoria area within the top 10.

Why it matters

Statewide rankings provide critical insight into the competitive landscape of Illinois high school football. These rankings reflect the consensus of sports writers and broadcasters regarding team performance across various classifications.

Four Peoria-area programs earned spots in the state's top 10 rankings, with Morton climbing to the No. 8 position in the Class 5A poll.

The players

Illinois Media

This organization facilitates the statewide voting process conducted by sports writers and broadcasters to determine high school football rankings.

The details

The rankings shift follows the latest statewide voting process by sports writers and broadcasters. Within the current standings, Dunlap dropped three places in Class 6A, while Metamora fell one spot in Class 4A; El Paso-Gridley held its standing in Class 2A.

September 24, 2026: Illinois Media released high school football state rankings.

Season Trajectory

These mid-season rankings shape the expectations for the postseason bracket and provide a historical benchmark for program success. The movement within these polls often signals shifts in regional dominance as teams compete for favorable playoff positioning.

These rankings directly influence the projected playoff path for Peoria-area programs. A higher ranking, such as Morton's position at No. 8, improves the likelihood of securing home-field advantage in upcoming postseason matchups.

The takeaway

The statewide poll highlights which teams have successfully navigated the first half of the season. Fans and players can use these rankings to gauge their program's progress relative to other top-tier schools in their respective classifications.