Picking a new group of state champions

All signs point to someone looking like a real turkey because of this decision.

But we're plunging ahead with it anyway and predicting what will happen in this weekend's eight football state championship games at University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium in Champaign.

Apparently looking foolish once a year during the state boys basketball tournament wasn't good enough.

So here goes starting with the big boys in 8A to the smallest schools in 1A. At least the football is bound to be better than what you may have watched the Lions produce on Thanksgiving Day.

Class 8A

Maine South (13-0) vs. Marist (11-2), 7 p.m. Saturday: Indiana-bound Matt Perez has done it all to put Maine South in position to win a second straight unbeaten title.

Run for 1,930 yards and 29 touchdowns, catch 30 passes, lead the defense at linebacker, return kicks and punts and play through various injuries. The latter could be vital to doing everything else Saturday.

Quarterback Tyler Benz has had a big year, too, throwing for 2,447 yards and 26 TDs and running for nine scores.

But the Hawks' defense will be put to the test by a Marist offense led by Western Michigan-bound quarterback Mike Perish (3,204 yards, 35 TDs).

Perish gets rid of the ball quickly and accurately to Dan Piko (85 catches, 1,272 yards, 15 TDs) and Nick Valla (52 for 857, 8 TDs). The defense has been solid since a 25-20 loss to St. Patrick in Week 7 and Ben Falloon showed he can kick under pressure as his field goal with one second left at Glenbard North sent Marist on its first trip to state since it lost to Buffalo Grove in 1986.

The pick: An entertaining battle between Perish and Perez, who won't be stopped by injuries and neither will Maine South 35-28.

Class 7A

Wheaton Warrenville South (12-1) vs. Glenbard West (13-0), 4 p.m. Saturday: What a perfect way to determine who the best team is in DuPage County.

Glenbard West has been on a mission since losing in last year's semifinals to eventual champion East St. Louis. Completing this year's step to Champaign wasn't easy as quarterback Tyler Warden (1,702 yards, 16 TDs) led an 82-yard drive in the final 41/2 minutes and threw a TD pass to Mark Hiben with six seconds left for a 21-17 win at Lake Zurich.

But it's been the running game and defense which has received much of the attention.

Adam Bruere, Pierre Washington-Steele, Steve Jones and Nick Burrello are all big threats behind the line led by junior Division I prospect Jorrdan Walsh (6-feet-3, 275 pounds). Linebackers Connor Loftus and Tim Hollowed lead the defense.

Wheaton South has been on a roll since a 27-9 loss in Week 2 to Maine South and trounced East St. Louis 34-15 last week. Reilly O'Toole has thrown for 1,990 yards with 23 TDs and 1 interception and Matt Rogers and Julian Banuelos lead the running game.

Nick Immekus is a big-time threat in the kicking game and linebackers Mike Heaton, Tommy LaBelle and Jack Eshleman fuel the defense.

The pick: A year ago Wheaton Warrenville South suffered an uncharacteristic first-round exit. This time it's raising the 7A title trophy with a 28-14 win.

Class 6A

Cary-Grove (13-0) vs. Providence (12-1), 1 p.m. Saturday: Cary-Grove has had only one real scare all year when it rallied to beat McHenry 31-28 in the final minute in Week 7.

Coach Bruce Kay has assembled a powerhouse with tremendous speed in its triple option led by 1,000-yard rushers Eric Chandler and Alex Hembrey and quarterback Tyler Krebs, who can also throw it with 15 TDs.

The 3-3-5 defense has been stellar with 6 shutouts. Linebackers Kyle Leibforth and Stuart Gaulke and cornerback Chad McCarron are among the numerous standouts.

The Trojans will get a strong test as Providence has rolled since losing its opener to Lincoln-Way East. Senior Tim Hanrahan has rushed for 1,733 yards and 19 TDs.

The pick: Cary is trying to follow in the footsteps of the girls 4A volleyball team which won the school's first title two weeks ago. But Providence's rugged schedule has been great preparation for its 10th title and a 24-21 win.

Class 5A

Montini (9-4) vs. Joliet Catholic (11-2), 10 a.m. Saturday: Montini coach Chris Andriano didn't appear to have a contender to duplicate the school's 2004 title when it limped into the postseason at 5-4.

But the Broncos turned it on in the playoffs with four double-digit victories. Quarterback Brandon Pechloff has had a monster year with 3,005 yards passing and 41 TDs - 25 to Jordan and Christian Westerkamp - and Ryan Gorrell has rushed for 1,112 yards.

Joliet Catholic also didn't necessarily appear to be a threat to extend its record of state titles to 14 when it was 4-2. But the losses were to Providence and Marist - both also playing in Champaign on Saturday.

The running game is dangerous as usual with Josh Ferguson (1,489 yards, 20 TDs), Malin Jones (1,143 and 19 TDs), Jordan Lyles (915, 7 TDs) and freshman Ty Isaacs (621, 6 TDs). Linebacker Jake Stockman leads a defense which has allowed 33 points in the playoffs.

The pick: It would be nice to see Andriano, one of the best people in the business, get title No. 2. But Joliet Catholic's speed and skill is too much as it wins 35-14.

Class 4A

Metamora (12-1) vs. Geneseo (11-2), 7 p.m. today: Don't turn this one on too late or you might miss a battle of traditional run-based teams. Metamora's Aaron Peters (1,816 yards, 28 TDs) leads its dangerous option attack with Jason Johnson, Collin Akers and Luke Lembke fueling Geneseo's wing-T.

The pick: Metamora finished second for the seventh time last year but this time wins its third title and denies Geneseo its fifth 42-14.

Class 3A

Stillman Valley (13-0) vs. Tolono Unity (13-0), 4 p.m. today: Tolono QB Dylan Sturgeon has been tough for anyone to catch with 2,278 yards and 38 TDs rushing and 1,544 yards and 16 TDs passing.The Rockets won a wild 58-53 semifinal over Greenville.

Stillman Valley's defense led by LB Adam Cox, also the team's No. 2 rusher behind Nate Bond, has been solid all year.

The pick: Stillman Valley's tradition and defense lead to a fourth title 34-21.

Class 2A

Morrison (13-0) vs. Maroa-Forsyth (11-2), 1 p.m. today: Morrison makes its first title-game trip behind a pair of big backs in Josh Vos (1,943 yards, 28 TDs) and Kyle Janssen (998 yards, 16 TDs). Maroa-Forsyth won the title in 2006 and leans on RB-LB Dalton Coventry.

The pick: Morrison grinds its way to its first title 21-7.

Class 1A

Tuscola (10-3) vs. Lexington (13-0), 10 a.m. today: Lexington is shooting for the ultimate rebound from a 3-6 finish to its first state title behind the insane numbers of RB T.J. Stinde (3,197 yards, 45 TDs). Tuscola sophomore QB Phil Meyer is a running and passing threat with 2,403 total yards and 21 TDs.

The pick: Lexington has had its share of tense playoff wins after cruising in the regular season. But it has readied the Minutemen to complete the turnaround 27-14.

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com