Patch sports reporter Ross Jacobson ranks the North Shore’s best football teams.

Week 5 was crucial for many area teams hoping to make the playoffs. The top three teams all remained unbeaten, but Maine South had some drama in its 40-24 win over New Trier.

Deerfield continued to be impressive and Glenbrook South got a big win over Evanston. Things aren’t looking good for the playoff hopes of Niles West and Glenbrook North, both lost against their opponent last week.

Last week’s ranking is in parentheses.

WEEK 6 RANKINGS

1. Maine South (2) – Maine South showed signs of vulnerability against an inspired New Trier team on Friday night. But as all champions do, the Hawks rallied the crew and came back for a solid 40-24 win. These types of games will be good for Maine South come playoff time.

2. Loyola Academy (1) – Loyola cruised past Gordon Tech with a 33-7 win. The Ramblers will face their toughest opponent of the season so far when they take on Mount Carmel next week in a big Chicago Catholic Blue matchup.  

3. North Shore Country Day (4) – North Shore keeps rolling as the Raiders won 63-0 over Hiawatha to improve to 5-0 on the season. The Raiders could easily be 7-0 before they face Longwood and Mooseheart in the season’s final two weeks.

4. New Trier (3) – The Trevians had Maine South on the ropes with a 10-point halftime lead, but couldn’t contain the Hawks’ offense in the second half. New Trier certainly looks like the real deal, though, and the team will be dangerous in the playoffs.

5. Glenbrook South (5) – The Titans came out to play in their Central Suburban League (CSL) South opener against Evanston. Glenbrook South’s defense was dominant in the 26-7 victory and overcame two interceptions from quarterback Mac Zabriskie.  

6. Deerfield (7) – With the return of QB Brad Holway and a victory over Glenbrook North, Deerfield looks like the favorite in the CSL North. Still at only 2-3, the Warriors don’t have much room for error to ensure a playoff berth.  

7. Evanston (6) – The Wildkits couldn’t handle Glenbrook South’s defensive pressure and it cost them a pivotal game in the middle of the season. Evanston now finds itself on the playoff hot seat with games against New Trier and Maine South still to come.  

8. Highland Park (10) – Highland Park again took care of business against a lesser opponent with a dominating 56-14 win over Maine West. The team has a good chance to even its record at 3-3 next week against Maine East.

9. Glenbrook North (8) – Glenbrook North finds itself in a tough spot after the loss to Deerfield. The Spartans had a 10-0 lead on the Warriors, but failed to seal the deal. Glenbrook North will have winnable games from here on out, and it is going to need to have victories in them all for a shot at the playoffs.

10. Niles North (11) – The Vikings were forced to start a freshman quarterback in Tony Granato against Maine East, but it worked in a 42-14 win. Oshayne Brown once again carried Niles North with 93 yards rushing on 11 carries.

11. Niles West (9) – There was nothing but bad news for Niles West in Week 5’s loss to Waukegan. Mike McGivern threw two interceptions and the Wolves lost their best shot at a CSL South win. In addition, senior wide receiver Lavelle Jordan is not going to be back this season because of an injury.

12. Maine West (12) – With a blowout loss to Highland Park, Maine West is in danger of going winless on the season. Things don’t get easier next week as the Warriors face Deerfield, which comes in with two straight victories.  

(Covering the Patch communities of Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Niles, Highland Park, Glenview, Deerfield, Morton Grove, Des Plaines and Northbrook.)