The Monticello Sages start the season ranked third in the state in the Class 3A IHSA High School football rankings.

Tolono Unity checks in tied for fifth with Farmington in 3A. Wilmington and Williamsville are one and two respectively. The Illini Prairie Conference was also represented in the rankings as PBL and Prairie Central received votes but did not crack the top-10.

Decatur St. Teresa is the top team in the 2A rankings. Maroa-Forsyth checks in at No. 4 while Tri-Valley is ranked ninth.

In Class 1A, Central A&M is the top-ranked team with GCMS coming in third to start the season and Arcola is fifth. Tuscola received votes in 1A but did not crack the top-10.

In 4A, Springfield Sacred-Heart Griffin is No.2, Peoria Notre Dame is ninth and Mt. Zion and Effingham tied for tenth in the 4A preseason rankings. 

In 5A, East St. Louis is No. 1, followed by Rochester and Peoria at 2-3, respectively. Decatur MacArthur starts the season in the top-10 tied at No. 7 with Marion, who received a first-place vote. 

Washington begins the season No. 3 in 6A and Springfield High is No. 10. Cary-Grove is the unanimous No. 1 in 6A.

Chicago St. Rita is No. 1 in 7A and Gurnee Warren is No. 1 in 8A.