Maine South moved up two spots to No. 8 in the Week 4 Illinois Media Class 8A football poll, released Wednesday, Sept. 9.

The Hawks earned 30 voting points after improving to 2-1 with a 41-7 rout of Maine West on Sept. 4. That game was Maine South's Central Suburban League opener and the first meeting between the two programs in 31 years, according to the Journal & Topics.

Maine South sat at No. 10 in the previous Illinois Media poll with 11 points after splitting its first two games. The Hawks lost their opener to Batavia 49-35, then rolled Warren 54-14 at Wilson Field in Park Ridge on Aug. 29.

That Warren win was a milestone for head coach Dave Inserra. It was his 250th career victory, giving him a 250-56 record at Maine South, the Chicago Tribune reported. Inserra has led the Hawks to four state championships and four runner-up finishes. His players gave him a Gatorade bath after the game.

Indiana-committed senior quarterback Jameson Purcell has powered the offense. He threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-24 passing against Warren. Purcell threw for more than 3,000 yards and 41 touchdowns last season, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Syracuse-committed senior linebacker Matthew Schlenhardt added two rushing touchdowns in the Warren game. Sophomore Ashton Hicks contributed four carries for 55 yards in the Maine West win. Senior linebacker Evan Adamczewski returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown against Warren.

"The running game was solid and we have great receivers," Schlenhardt told the Tribune after the Warren victory on Aug. 29. "We have a well-spread offense."

Loyola tops the Class 8A poll at No. 1 with 122 points and a 3-0 record, followed by Mount Carmel (No. 2, 119 points) and Lincoln-Way East (No. 3, 105 points), according to WRMJ. New Trier, Maine South's next opponent, received five voting points but did not crack the top 10.

The Hawks are also ranked No. 13 in the Chicago Sun-Times Super 25 and No. 21 in the Sports Illustrated Illinois Top 25.

Maine South travels to New Trier (3-0) on Friday, Sept. 11. The Sun-Times ranks New Trier No. 24 in its Super 25.