Peoria Area League

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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

School Location Mascot County Enrollment IHSA Class Masonic Class Athletic Conference
Limestone Bartonville, IL Rockets Peoria 930 2A 3A Mid-Illini
Brimfield Brimfield, IL Indians Peoria 221 1A 1A Prairieland
Canton Canton, IL Little Giants Peoria 683 2A 3A Mid-Illini
Dunlap Dunlap, IL Eagles Peoria 1287 2A 3A Mid-Illini
East Peoria East Peoria, IL Raiders Tazewell 985 2A 3A Mid-Illini
Elmwood Elmwood, IL Trojans Peoria 204 1A 1A Prairieland
Farmington Farmington, IL Farmers Peoria 410 1A 2A Prairieland
Illinois Valley Central Chillicothe, IL Grey Ghosts Peoria 610 2A 2A Illini-Prairie
Metamora Metamora, IL Redbirds Woodford 974 2A 3A Mid-Illini
Morton Morton, IL Potters Tazewell 961 2A 3A Mid-Illini
Pekin Pekin, IL Dragons Tazewell 1800 2A 3A Mid-Illini
Peoria Christian Peoria, IL Chargers Peoria 220 1A 2A Inter-County Athletic
Peoria Heights Peoria, IL Patriots Peoria 207 1A 1A Inter-County Athletic
Manual Academy Peoria, IL Rams Peoria 618 2A 2A Big 12
Peoria High School Peoria, IL Lions Peoria 1217 2A 3A Big 12
Notre Dame Peoria, IL Irish Peoria 729 2A 3A Big 12
Princeville Princeville, IL Princes Peoria 236 1A 1A Lincoln Trail
Richwoods Peoria, IL Knights Peoria 1301 2A 2A Big 12
Washington Washington, IL Panthers Tazewell 1369 2A 3A Mid-Illini

Former Members

Peoria Area League History (Varsity)

Year Tournament Champions 2nd Place 3rd Place 4th Place Regular Season Champions
2023 Dunlap East Peoria Illinois Valley Central Limestone Dunlap
2022 Dunlap Washington Notre Dame Illinois Valley Central Dunlap & Illinois Valley Central
2021 Illinois Valley Central Metamora Dunlap Notre Dame Notre Dame
2020 Dunlap Washington
2019 Dunlap Dunlap
2018 Dunlap Dunlap
2016 Metamora Dunlap Illinois Valley Central Richwoods Illinois Valley Central
2007 Washington Illinois Valley Central

Competitive Success

IHSA State Tournament

  • 2017: Dunlap - 4th Place (2A)
  • 2015: Peoria Christian - 2nd Place (1A)
  • 2013: Peoria Christian - 1st Place (1A)
  • 2012: Peoria Christian - 1st Place (1A)
  • 2009: Peoria Christian - 4th Place (1A)
  • 2006: Illinois Valley Central - 2nd Place (1A)
  • 2005: Eureka - 2nd Place (1A)
  • 1999: Eureka - 3rd Place (1A)

Masonic State Tournament

  • 2013: Peoria Christian - 2nd Place, Elmwood - 4th Place (A)
  • 2012: Peoria Christian - 1st Place, Peoria Heights - 2nd Place (A)
  • 2011: Peoria Christian - 4th Place (A)
  • 2009: Peoria Christian - 3rd Place
  • 2006: Peoria Heights - 2nd Place, Elmwood - 4th Place
  • 2005: Morton - 3rd Place
  • 2004: Morton - 2nd Place
  • 2002: Limestone - 2nd Place
  • 2000: Eureka - 4th Place
  • 1997: Woodruff - 1st Place