Geneva retakes No. 1 spot in football rankings

Created: Monday, October 19, 2009 9:49 p.m. CDT

Updated: Monday, October 19, 2009 9:55 p.m. CDT

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The top two teams in our football rankings entering Week 8 needed overtime to sustain those positions in the poll.

Geneva did former No. 1 St. Charles North one better, regaining the top spot with an OT win at Kaneland after the North Stars fell to South Elgin in extra time.

Looks like each team from 1-7 either is or should be playoff-bound. Which ones are contenders and which are pretenders?

Read on, and as usual, let the debates begin:

10. Aurora Central Catholic (1-7): Take away the Chargers' 62-21 Week 4 win against Michigan Lutheran and opponents have outscored ACC, 259-55, in seven games.

9. Batavia (2-6): 'Dogs have their day for first time since Week 2, running up their rushing attack and the scoreboard against DeKalb. Now, can they upset Geneva?

8. Burlington Central (3-5): Losing 12-9 to a team called the Whip-Purs doesn't sound right, but Hampshire's biggest blow was knocking BC from playoff contention.

7. Aurora Christian (5-3): Eagles can clinch inaugural Suburban Christian Gold title by beating league also-ran Guerin on Saturday afternoon.

6. St. Francis (6-2): Two weeks removed from its most recent running-clock victory, Team Purnell is liable to strike again at Aurora Central Catholic to close the regular season.

5. Kaneland (5-3): The life of Ryley Bailey was bittersweet Friday night. The senior receiver grabbed 13 balls for 179 yards and a score but the Knights lost a tough one to Geneva in OT.

4. Marmion (7-1): Cadets could be 8-0 if not for their second-half slip against South Elgin in the opener. Getting to win No. 8 will be tough against Montini, but a home playoff game looks to be a lock.

3. St. Charles North (6-2): Turns out there are a few more postseason kinks to work out than the North Stars thought. Reigniting the attack against stingy St. Charles East should be challenging.

2. St. Charles East (6-2): Who needs outgaining when outscoring is the objective? Late touchdown lifts Saints to a 7-3 win for the second straight week.

1. Geneva (7-1): Good thing the Vikes are wrapping the regular season with two games on the road. This way, Burgess Field will be good and ready for a first-round playoff game.