Michael O’Brien’s Super 25 high school football…

Michael O’Brien’s Super 25 high school football rankings for Week 9

Brother Rice’s Ryan Hartz (17) hands the ball to TeShon McGee (27) in the game against Joliet Catholic. (Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times)

Week 8 may have been the dullest week of the season. There weren’t any matchups between ranked teams other than Simeon vs. Morgan Park. It’s the calm before the storm.

Today’s task was simple. Almost everything stayed the same. Neuqua Valley drops out after losing 14-0 to DeKalb. Morgan Park is gone after losing to Simeon.

Brother Rice makes its season debut. I knew the Crusaders belonged after watching them beat Joliet Catholic last week but couldn’t squeeze them in until now. Every team in the CCL/ESCC Blue is ranked in the Super 25.

Sycamore is the other new entry. I was impressed with the Spartans when I saw them play Fenwick in the playoffs last season and have been keeping an eye on them. Sycamore’s 35-7 win against DeKalb in Week 1 looks even more impressive now.

South Elgin, Wauconda, Reed-Custer and Richmond-Burton are all unbeaten and outside the Super 25.

Week 9’s Super 25

1. Mount Carmel (8-0) 1
Saturday at No. 2 Loyola

2. Loyola (8-0) 2
Saturday vs. No. 1 Mount Carmel

3. Lincoln-Way East (8-0) 3
Friday at Bradley-Bourbonnais

4. York (8-0) 4
Thursday at Oak Park

5. Simeon (8-0) 5
Saturday vs. Lane at Gately

6. Glenbard West (7-1) 6
Saturday at Hindale Central

7. Hersey (8-0) 7
Friday vs. Buffalo Grove

8. Lemont (8-0) 8
Thursday at TF South

9. Prospect (7-1) 9
Friday at Rolling Meadows

10. Marist (5-3) 10
Friday at Brother Rice