The return of high school football means the return of state-wide rankings. And that means a chance for area coaches to show their disinterest.

"That's how excited I was about it," Maroa-Forsyth coach Josh Jostes said when contacted on Tuesday night. "I just heard."

The Trojans open up the Class 2A poll tied for second, along with Little Illini powerhouse Casey-Westfield. Orion is No. 1 in Class 2A, with Westville and Minonk Fieldcrest rounding out the top five. Meridian is among the teams receiving votes.

"We haven't played a game yet, and a lot of that comes from previous year's finishes. We graduated 14 seniors, all had a major part in our success," Casey coach Keith Sinclair said. "We have to improve one game at a time. I don't believe that the rankings now have anything to do with the finish."

Being ranked is nothing new to Maroa, which followed up an undefeated state title in 2006 with 12 straight wins and a quarterfinal appearance last season.

Whether teams take any stock in the rankings or not, they still identify what are believed to be the best teams in the state. Attention comes with the recognition, and Jostes doesn't mind that one bit.

"It's a big accomplishment for the kids to have yourself in program where you're expected to win, which is really what (the first rankings) are all about," Jostes said. "There's some pressure that comes with that, but it beats the heck out of nobody thinking you're going to be any good, which is where we were a few years ago.

"The kids know when we play we have a target, and like any team that's been successful, our kids understand they have to show up and play, or none of the rankings or any of that other stuff will matter."

St. Teresa is No. 4 in Class 3A, behind Columbia, Aledo and Sterling Newman Catholic.

Cerro Gordo is the only other area team in the top 10. The Broncos are ranked No. 8 in 1A. Galena and Dakota, last year's 1A and 2A champions, respectively, sit atop the 1A poll.

Tuscola is among the teams receiving votes in 1A. Effingham and Mattoon are receiving votes in 5A.

tengle@herald-review.com|421-7970