The Benton Rangers were not the preseason favorite headed in to the 2025 football season in Little Egypt. That changed from the opening kickoff when their sophomore quarterback Drake Porter returned it for a touchdown and the Rangers went on to claim a 69-0 win over Herrin, convincing Little Egypt that Benton was actually the #1 team. After that, the Rangers never relented the #1 spot, ending the season as Little Egypt’s #1 team.
The Carterville Lions were just as convincing this season, earning at minimum a first place vote every week but never able to overcome the Rangers. Many thought it would be settled in the postseason – potentially in the quarterfinals – but the Benton Rangers sunk to 3A and the intriguing matchup will not happen this season.
The Du Quoin Indians stumbled once – against Benton – but was extremely convincing the rest of the season, rolling through opponents and maintaining the #3 slot most of the season.
The #4 Johnston City Indians were right at home as they often did not budge from their slot. The Indians dominated their win through the Black Diamond for another 9-0 season under first year head coach Marshall Mummert.
The #5 Centralia Orphans had a few slips ups – most notably a 40-8 loss at Cahokia in Week 7 that ended up crowning the Comanche the South Seven conference champs. But sophomore quarterback Archie Goeway and the rest of the Orphans squad was too electric to ignore, rounding out the top 5.
The #6 ranking ended up in a tie to finish the season between the Chester Yellow Jackets and Marion Wildcats. Both teams had strong performances throughout the season. Marion sports one of the top quarterbacks perhaps in the state in Callahan Roper. The Yellow Jackets took care of business all season, finishing 8-1. Their lone loss came in Week 3 at West Frankfort, a barnburner 33-29.
Finishing the year at #8 is the Nashville Hornets. A young team that starred sophomore quarterback Cole Stiegman and freshman wide out Brantley Kozuszek, the Hornets’ losses were all against some of the best in the area: Benton, Carterville, Du Quoin, and Chester. The Hornets figure to be perhaps the saltiest 5-4 team in the entire IHSA playoffs.
West Frankfort was stationed at the #9 ranking a majority of the season. The Redbirds had a few impressive wins this season (see above: 33-29 over Chester) but a 41-6 loss at Nashville in Week 5 and 39-0 loss to Benton in Week 7 lingered heavy on voters’ minds to never make it to the higher rankings.
Sesser-Valier finished the season at the revolving door that was the #10 ranking. There were a total of 7 teams that were ranked #10 throughout the 2025 season. The Red Devils were one of the few that were able to hold on to the ranking for a second week in a row. Despite a loss to Johnston City to close out the regular season, Sesser-Valier impressed our voters more than any other program to finish the year ranked #10.
Here’s a look at the Full Rankings:
| Rank | School (Record) [First Place Votes] | Points | Rank Last Week |
| 1 | Benton (9-0) [12] | 137 | 1 (-) |
| 2 | Carterville (9-0) [2] | 123 | 2 (-) |
| 3 | Du Quoin (8-1) | 111 | 3 (-) |
| 4 | Johnston City (9-0) | 100 | 4 (-) |
| 5 | Centralia (7-2) | 81 | 5 (-) |
| 6 | Chester (8-1) | 61 | 8 (+2) |
| – | Marion (6-3) | 61 | 7 (+1) |
| 8 | Nashville (5-4) | 38 | 6 (-2) |
| 9 | West Frankfort (6-3) | 34 | 9 (-) |
| 10 | Sesser-Valier (6-3) | 14 | 10 (-) |
Also receiving votes: Fairfield 5, Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton-Elverado 2, Mt. Vernon 1, Murphysboro 1, Sparta 1
*The John A. Logan Little Egypt Football Poll is voted on by a trusted group of area coaches and media members each week
