Illinois High School Football Games of the Week: August 29-31

The high school football season is finally here in the state of Illinois, and the Land of Lincoln will feature several intriguing matchups in its opening weekend.

This weekend’s slate features a pair of top-10 matchups while Mount Carmel clashes with one of the top programs from New Jersey.

Below are the Illinois high school football games of the week.

The On3 Massey Ratings — which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated college high school sports team rankings since 1995 — rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory.

CLICK HERE to watch your high school’s games on NFHS Network now!

Top high school football games in Illinois

Hun School (N.J.) at #2 Mount Carmel — Thursday, Aug. 29
Mount Carmel won its 15th state title a year ago, tying the Illinois state record. Despite losing now-Wisconsin running back Darrion Dupree, the 2024 roster will still be a force, headlined by Vanderbilt quarterback commit Jack Elliot and 2026 4-star EDGE Braeden Jones, a top-200 recruit in the junior cycle. Hun features a slew of Power 4 talent, including Stanford commits Kole Briehler and Liam Thorpe, Wake Forest commits Nathan Pahanich and Bryce Kania, Rutgers pledge Kamar Archie and four-star junior defensive lineman Luke Wafle.

#10 Maine South at #4 Lincoln-Way East — Friday, Aug. 30
Lincoln-Way East is home to the top quarterback recruit in the state, as Oregon four-star junior QB commit Jonas Williams transferred in. Williams, along with Northwestern EDGE commit Caden O’Rourke and Miami (Ohio) tight end pledge Trey Zvonar, will be a tough out in 2024. Maine South is looking to once again contend with the best in the state after falling in the 8A quarterfinal for the second year in a row.

#19 Hersey at #16 Warren Township — Friday, Aug. 30
Hersey put together a perfect 9-0 regular season in 2023 and won its first-round playoff game against Wheaton South before falling to Downers Grove North. The Huskies’ senior class is led by North Carolina tight end commit Logan Farrell and UCLA quarterback pledge Colton Gumino. Warren Township finished 9-3 a year ago, falling 24-0 to Lincoln-Way East in the 8A playoffs. Senior Jack Wolf returns at quarterback for the Blue Devils.

#21 Providence Catholic at Wheaton North — Friday, Aug. 30
Providence Catholic lost two of its final three regular-season games in 2023 before going on a bit of a run in the playoffs, picking up three wins before losing to Joliet Catholic Academy. Senior Gavin Hagan is a three-year starter at running back and defensive back. Wheaton North is looking to improve upon its 7-4 record and return four starters on each side of the ball.

#1 Loyola Academy at #3 East St. Louis — Saturday, Aug. 31
Loyola Academy became back-to-back state champions for the first time ever last season, finishing with a perfect 14-0 record. Spearheaded by Washington linebacker commit Donovan Robinson, Iowa safety commit Drew MacPherson and uncommitted senior quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald, Loyola will look to make even more history in 2024. Missouri four-star safety commit Charles Bass is ranked as a top-10 senior in the state and will lead the way for East St. Louis this season. The Flyers have won 10 or more games three seasons in a row.

#5 Batavia at #14 Glenbard West — Saturday, Aug. 31
Batavia won 11 games a season ago but fell to Mount Carmel in the 7A state semifinals. The Bulldogs lost a slew of seniors but will still be one of the top programs in the state and are currently projected to win all nine of its regular season games, according to the Massey Ratings. Glenbard West has a pair of Power 4 commits in Michael O’Connell (Northwestern) and Mason Ellens (Iowa State).