01/12/2026
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - For the latest ABV rankings, the better teams have separated themselves from the rest of the heard.

In 1A it it much more interesting than 2A.

It can be said without question, this isn't a good group of 2A teams.

There are 50 2A teams in the ABV area and a whopping 41 of them have at least one defeat at the hands of a 1A school.

That is not a good sign if you're a coach at one of the larger teams.

Right now it's not parity, it is mediocrity.

The top two 2A's in the latest ABV rankings are part of the group of nine who haven't fell to a small school.

Both Staunton and Nashville haven't had issues with 1A teams.

The Hornets handled Carlyle on Saturday, the first small school they've played while the Bulldogs popped Hardin Calhoun in the title game of the Carlinville Holiday Tournament and bested Carrollton in the opener Saturday at the Winchester Invitational Tournament.

Both of them have work to do in the next few weeks before the sub-sectionals are seeded.

I've seen enough of 1A now that the top ones don't have much separating them.

The top team this week moves back to the top.

Lawrenceville is an athletic group with length and seasoned veteran seniors for Coach Tad Shick. The only loss was to 2A Tolono Unity.

The Indians have a solid bench of three deep that will help moving forward.

Sparta, on the other hand, have a group of youngsters who are playing like seniors.

Coach Jordan Beckley's team have just a couple of losses to 2A Breese Central and 1A Woodlawn.

The Woodlawn loss was played without a key starter and the Bulldogs rallied from 20-points down only to lose a two-point decision at the Duster Thomas Hoops' Classic.

The Cardinals have a tough week, losing on the road at Webber Township and Altamont after being voted number one in the Associated Press 1A Poll.

Webber and mentor Jaxon Helm turned around and lost to Waltonville for a second time this season on the road Friday night.

The Trojans have one of the top scorers in the state in Nathaniel Marlow.

Coach Anthony Lowery's Waltonville Spartans have two wins over Webber but a road loss at Woodlawn.

The “W's” can be thrown in a hat.

Tuscola is the only unbeaten club on the list and they play arguably the toughest schedule of this bunch, which is by design for Coach Justin Bozarth.

The Warriors are also one of those clubs with help sitting on the pine ready to shine when needed.

Goreville just keeps winning for Coach Todd Tripp.

The Blackcats are unbeaten in their conference and have a win over Waltonville at the SVHT on the resume.

Cumberland looks to be a factor in the postseason after dropping down from 2A a year ago.

Coach Justin Roedl has his Pirates sailing on a 12-game winning streak.

North Clay moves back into the Top 10 after picking up the title of the weather postponed Cumberland Thanksgiving Tournament on Saturday with a win over Casey-Westfield.

The Cardinals get a shot at Lawrenceville on Tuesday this week.

Dieterich is quietly putting together a fine season for Coach Brent Bohnhoff, winners of six-consecutive games.