JCA sits atop AP 6A poll

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The Associated Press released its first state high school football poll of the season this week, and -- surprise, surprise -- the Joliet area received a significant amount of attention.

Of course, nothing has happened yet on the field. It all gets under way tonight, with a myriad of games throughout this area and statewide.

But the AP's preseason poll of sportswriters and sportscasters from throughout the state, compiled by Marty Maciaszek of the Arlington Heights Daily Herald, does give an indication of which teams project to be the strongest this season.

Joliet Catholic Academy is ranked No. 1 in Class 6A. The Hilltoppers are coming off a 2007 season where they racked up their record 13th state championship, though only four starters are back from that machine.

Interestingly, they open tonight at Carmel of Mundelein. The two figure to battle Nazareth Academy, ranked sixth in Class 5A, for the East Suburban Catholic Conference title, though tonight's game is nonconference, and the two will not meet within the ESCC.

Still, Carmel is ranked No. 3 in Class 7A and next week, JCA will host Wheaton Warrenville South, which is No. 2 in 7A.

So, would you rather be No. 1 in 6A or in the top three in 7A? If JCA happens to lose either or both of the next two weeks, does that mean the Hilltoppers no longer are the best team in 6A? Or put another way, would anyone else in 6A have fared any better against Carmel and Wheaton Warrenville South?

Rock Island and Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, incidentally, are the second- and third-ranked teams in 6A.

Ah, yes, the polls. Football fans love 'em.

The other No. 1 teams include familiar names such as Mount Carmel in 8A, East St. Louis Senior in 7A and Addison Driscoll in 4A. Marian Central of Woodstock is atop 5A, with Columbia No. 1 in 3A. All schools in the Joliet area fall somewhere between 3A and 8A.

The local representation in 8A is led by No. 9 Lincoln-Way East, which opens tonight at Providence Catholic in one of the best matchups in the Joliet area. The Celtics are ranked ninth in 6A.

The AP poll ranks 10 teams in each class and follows that with an honorable mention list for anyone else receiving votes. Bolingbrook and Lincoln-Way Central both are honorable mention in 8A, and both have interesting openers. The Raiders entertain Downers Grove South, which is ranked fifth in 8A, while the Knights, under first-year coach Tim Dougherty, host Simeon.

In 6A, besides the rankings JCA and Providence received, Lemont checked in as honorable mention. The Indians lost the 6A title game to JCA last season.

Another ranked team in 6A is No. 8 Richards, which is at Joliet Township tonight.

Morris, which fell to Metamora in the 5A final last fall, is expected to be strong again. The Redskins begin the season ranked No. 3, behind Marian Central and Metamora.

In Class 4A, Coal City, which lost to Driscoll in the 4A semifinals last season, is ranked seventh, while Reed-Custer is on the honorable mention list. And in 3A, Wilmington received an honorable mention nod.

It happens every year -- the Joliet area is heard from before and throughout high school football season. But all that really matters is what happens on the field, beginning tonight.