Headed in to Week 7 of the high school football season, the Marion Wildcats have reclaimed the #1 spot in the Coaches’ Poll following a 49-14 win over Belleville Althoff on Friday night. That comes in spite of only one first place vote and #2 Benton hoarding six of the possible 10 first place votes.
Carterville took a loss to #3 Nashville on Friday 49-13, dropping them from #5 to #8 in the rankings. Murphysboro, who took a forfeit victory over West Frankfort, benefitted and slid back in to the top 5 because of that.
Carbondale had the biggest jump following a 53-7 win over winless Mt. Vernon, going from #8 to #6.
Chester makes their top 10 debut this season following a 55-0 win over Carlyle while Centralia slid out of the rankings following a 47-7 loss to #4 Cahokia.
Here’s a look at the Full Rankings:
| Rank | School (First Place Votes) | Points | Rank Last Week |
| 1 | Marion (1) | 91 | 2 (+1) |
| 2 | Benton (6) | 88 | 1 (-1) |
| 3 | Nashville | 79 | 3 (-) |
| 4 | Cahokia (3) | 74 | 4 (-) |
| 5 | Murphysboro | 49 | 6 (+1) |
| 6 | Carbondale | 41 | 8 (+2) |
| 7 | Johnston City | 37 | 7 (-) |
| 8 | Carterville | 34 | 5 (-3) |
| 9 | Fairfield | 24 | 9 (-) |
| 10 | Chester | 10 | NR |
Also receiving votes: Centralia 9, Du Quoin 7, Sesser-Valier 4, Anna-Jonesboro 2
Southern Illinois Coaches interested in participating in the Coaches Poll can email picks to mattv@riverradio.net every week by end of day each Wednesday of the season.
