Peoria Area League

The Peoria Area League or PAL is a league of high school quiz bowl programs in Central Illinois. It is made up of two divisions - Varsity & JV, composed by schools from around Peoria, Woodford, & Tazewell counties of both classes and various athletic conferences.

Founded in 1997, the league historically was one of the more competitive circuits in Illinois scholastic bowl. Where a top finish in the league indicated potential playoff success, especially for Class A teams. IHSSBCA Hall of Fame coach & Robert Grierson Friend of Scholastic Bowl Award recipient, John Rathbun was the league director for many years. Dunlap coach, Aaron Barrington, is the current director.

For the last ten years the league has competed over 5 weeks across January & February on Tuesday nights in meets consisting of four teams. Culminating in a tournament for the top placing teams. Until 2020, the top-8 teams, now only top-4 teams. The league has usually recognized the top-10 scoring players in each division. In 2023, the league was split into two divisions.

Current Members

• Bartonville (Limestone)
• Brimfield
• Canton
• Dunlap
• East Peoria
• Elmwood
• Farmington
• Illinois Valley Central
• Metamora
• Morton
• Pekin
• Peoria Christian
• Peoria Heights
• Peoria (Manual)
• Peoria (H.S.)
• Peoria (Notre Dame)
• Princeville
• Richwoods
• Washington

Former Members

• Eureka
• Galesburg
• Spoon River Valley (London Mills)
• Roanoke-Benson
• Woodruff †