Downers Grove North football has climbed into the top three of the Daily Herald's weekly Top 20 poll, the newspaper announced Monday, Sept. 7.

The Trojans share the top tier with Hersey and Prospect. DGN's exact position among the three has not been specified.

The ranking caps a three-week surge for a program the Chicago Tribune slotted at No. 15 in its preseason Top 25, noting the run game would be vital to the Trojans "continuing their recent trend of playing well into November."

Three weeks later, DGN has outscored opponents 90-19.

The Trojans opened with a 17-12 win over Morgan Park on Aug. 21, according to Shaw Local's Friday Night Drive coverage. Senior quarterback Kevin Jay Jr. threw a 55-yard touchdown pass in that game before limping off with an injury, the Daily Herald reported in its Week 2 preview. Jay returned for Week 2 and played in Week 3.

Week 2 brought the crosstown rivalry. DGN rolled Downers Grove South 45-7 on Aug. 28 for its 12th straight win over the Mustangs, according to the DGN Omega student newspaper. Jay scored two rushing touchdowns. Junior quarterback Joe Goodwin connected with seniors RayJon Johnson and Joey Serpico for passing scores, and senior Baker Glomb opened the game with a field goal. DGN built a 38-0 halftime lead.

Then came the West Suburban Silver conference opener. DGN's defense shut out Hinsdale Central 28-0 on Friday, Sept. 4, holding the Red Devils to 28 rushing yards. Defensive coordinator Keith Lichtenberg's unit forced two turnovers and has allowed just 19 points through three games, Shaw Local reported.

Jay earned Suburban Life's Athlete of the Week honor after Week 2. He took over the starting job this fall after three-year starter Owen Lansu left for the University of Minnesota, Patch reported in August.

The Chicago Tribune bumped DGN to No. 11 in its Week 3 rankings on Sept. 2, noting the offense was clicking after the Trojans piled up nearly 400 yards against DGS. The Daily Herald's top-three placement five days later marks the program's highest known ranking this season heading into Week 4.