IL Public School Football
Illinois
Mount Carmel is the measuring-stick opener. American Heritage requires the Flyers to travel to Plantation, Florida, for the Broward County Classic Football Showcase. Gainesville completes the opening run. The rest of the schedule gives East St. Louis six straight Illinois opponents. O’Fallon, Belleville East and Edwardsville arrive before the road trip to Belleville West; Alton and Naperville North close the regular season. Aug. 22 — Mount Carmel Aug. 28 — at American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) Sept. 4 — Gainesville (Ga.) Sept. 11 — O’Fallon Sept. 18 — Belleville East Sept. 25 — at Edwardsville Oct. 2 — at Belleville West Oct. 9 — Alton Oct. 16 — at Naperville North
Reece Shanklin — QB, 2027 Shanklin started the 2025 Class 6A title game and returns as the quarterback for his senior season. His decision-making against elite competition will determine whether East St. Louis can turn its speed and run-game talent into a complete offense. Myson Johnson-Cook — RB, 2027 Johnson-Cook is committed to Auburn. He ran for 1,341 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2025 and scored two rushing touchdowns in the state final. He is the player opponents must solve first. Laron Baker Jr. — WR, 2027 Baker is back for his senior season. He gives Shanklin a returning target and gives the Flyers a way to punish defenses that overcommit to Johnson-Cook.
Series
East St. Louis brings back a senior quarterback, an Auburn-bound running back and a Class of 2027 receiver for a 2026 schedule that starts with Mount Carmel, American Heritage and Gainesville.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 3 min read
Series
Public Schools Top 25 | National Series — Part 53: National Top 40 Section 2/3 - #25-#11 Now the list enters the heavyweight tier. These are the programs that either stacked major hardware, lived in state title games, or proved themselves in football-rich states and top classifications where the path itself becomes part of the résumé.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 5 min read
Series
Illinois high school football operates within one of the most layered playoff systems in the country. Under the structure governed by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), the state crowns champions across eight classifications (1A–8A). Enrollment determines placement, with the largest schools competing in 8A and the smallest in 1A.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 4 min read
