Mount Carmel is the top team when it comes to Illinois high school football in the MaxPreps era.
Photo by Jim Boyce
It has been 10 years now that MaxPreps has put out football computer rankings, presented by the Army National Guard.
That's plenty of time to come up with a solid list of which programs have been the most dominant during the MaxPreps era.
For the purpose of the rankings, each team will be awarded points based off where it finished in the computer rankings after each season. For example, if a team finished No. 1 overall it receives 25 points. If the team finished No. 25 overall, it would get one point. A team also receives 30 points for winning a state title and 15 for being the runner-up.
Take the conversation to Twitter: Follow
@MaxPrepsView Illinois rankings for the past 10 yearsMost dominant Illinois football programs in the MaxPreps era
1. Mount Carmel (Chicago) - 303 pointsOverall record: 111-25
Mount Carmel hasn't left the Top 25 rankings since 2004 and has played in six state championship games. It has won two of those six, finishing as the runner-up four times in the past 10 seasons. Mount Carmel finished No. 1 in 2013 after claiming a 7A state title.
2. Montini (Lombard) - 293Overall record: 103-24
In the seven years that the Broncos have cracked the Top 25, they have piled up five state championships and five Top 10 finishes.
3. Wheaton-Warrenville South (Wheaton) - 282Overall record: 106-20
Two undefeated seasons helped the Tigers capture two of their three state titles since 2004. They also have two No. 1 finishes in the past 10 years.
4. Maine South (Park Ridge) - 248Overall record: 114-15
Three consecutive 8A state championship victories from 2008-10 solidified the Hawks as one of Illinois' top teams since 2004.
5. Sacred Heart-Griffin (Springfield) - 233Overall record: 115-10
Sacred Heart-Griffin has nine Top 25 finishes in the past 10 seasons. It has compiled four state championships and three Top 5 finishes.
6. Joliet Catholic Academy - 215Overall record: 103-24
The Hilltoppers have been in four state championship bouts over the past 10 seasons. They have been the victor twice and runner-up twice. Their second state title victory in 2007 helped them claim the No. 1 ranking for that year.
7. Lake Zurich - 188Overall record: 95-29-1
Lake Zurich's 7A state championship in 2007 assisted it in claiming the No. 4 ranking, its highest since 2004.
8. Rochester - 183Overall record: 90-29
Despite cracking the rankings for the first time in 2009, Rochester has wasted no time getting acclimated, winning four straight 4A state championships from 2010-13.
9. Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort) - 160Overall record: 102-21
The Griffins have eight Top 25 finishes in the past 10 seasons. A perfect season in 2005 gave them a No.1 ranking and their only state title since 2004.
10. Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn) - 158Overall record: 85-31
Glenbard West hasn't fallen out of the Top 25 since first entering in 2008. It captured its first state title in the past 10 years with an undefeated season in 2012.
11. St. Rita (Chicago) - 145Overall record: 100-30
Four of the eight Top 25 finishes since 2004 have been Top 10 finishes for the Mustangs.
12. Loyola Academy (Wilmette) - 143Overall record: 97-33
Since entering the Top 25 in 2008, Loyola has never finished outside the Top 10, including twice being ranked No. 5.
13. Metamora - 135Overall record: 100-19
Although the Redbirds made their only Top 25 appearances from 2006-09, they managed to win two state championships in the process.
14. Providence Catholic (New Lenox) - 129Overall record: 77-43
Providence Catholic finished with the No. 1 rank in 2004 after winning the 6A state championship.
15. Morris - 127Overall record: 88-32
The Redskins have had three runner-up finishes in the last 10 years.
16. Newman Central Catholic (Sterling) - 126Overall record: 101-21
Newman Central has won three 2A state championships since 2004, despite only cracking the Top 25 twice.
17. Dakota - 123Overall record: 90-25
Dakota has been the victor in all three of the state championship games it has been in since 2004.
18. Driscol Catholic - 120Overall record: School closed in 2009
Before closing in 2009, Driscoll Catholic won four straight state titles from 2004-07.
19. Cary-Grove (Cary) - 116Overall record: 105-18
The Trojans have finished in the Top 25 four times in the past 10 years, including a No. 3 rank that came after a 6A state championship win.
20. Boylan (Rockford) - 107Overall record: 103-16
Two perfect seasons from Boylan gave the school its only Top 25 appearances. Both seasons ended with state titles.