Large-School Poll (Class 5A-8A)

Preseason rankings for metro-east teams; voting by area coaches and News-Democrat staff writers (first-place votes in parentheses; records are from 2011):

Rank Team W-L

1. East St. Louis (4) 9-3

2. O'Fallon (1) 10-2

3. Granite City 6-4

4. Belleville East 6-5

5. Triad 9-2

Also receiving votes: Edwardsville (5-5); Collinsville (3-6); Waterloo (6-4); Cahokia (4-5); Belleville West (2-7); Mascoutah (2-7)

Small-School Preseason Poll (Class 1A-4A)

Preseason rankings for metro-east teams; voting by area coaches and News-Democrat staff writers (first-place votes in parentheses; records are from 2011):

Rank Team W-L

1. Mater Dei (3) 7-1

2. Althoff (1) 4-4

3. Columbia (1) 6-4

4. Central 9-2

5. Marquette 7-3

Also receiving votes: Carlyle (7-4); Red Bud (6-4); Wesclin (4-5); Nashville (3-6)