The defending state champion Monticello Sages are ranked second in the Class 3A preseason AP high school football poll.

Monticello beat Byron in Champaign last November to take home the school's first state title in football. Byron checks in at No. 1 in 3A.

Eureka out of the Heart of Illinois Conference checks in at No. 3, Williamsville and Carlinville round out the top 5 in 3A.

In Class 4A, Taylorville in the Apollo Conference is ranked 8th in the preseason. 

Defending 2A two-time champions, GCMS is the top ranked team in 2A, followed by Maroa-Forsyth, who GCMS has beat in DeKalb then Champaign in back-to-back years. 

Decatur St. Teresa checks in at 4th in 2A while Tri-Valley is ranked 9th.

In 1A, a couple Central Illinois Conference teams are in the top 5. Tuscola ties with Lena-Winslow at second while Central A&M comes in ranked fourth in the preseason poll.

The high school football season kicks off tomorrow night.