Who had the area’s top prep football performances in the semifinals?
We started the season with more than 80 area football teams trying to weave a path to Bloomington-Normal for state championship weekend.
Now we’re down to two.
As Montini prepares to vie for a second straight IHSA title and St. Francis returns to the big game for the first time since winning its lone championship in 2008, the depth of talent continues to bloom for the finalists.
This edition of the High Five looks at the top semifinal performances from both teams as they look ahead to this weekend. The Broncos (13-0) play Rochester (12-1) at 7 p.m. Friday in the Class 4A title game, and St. Francis (10-3) faces Providence (10-3) at 10 a.m. Saturday in 5A.
5. Brock Phillip, QB, St. Francis
The Spartans hammered previously unbeaten Belvidere North 35-13 behind a tremendous effort on both sides of the ball.
Phillip’s efficiency behind center powered the offense.
The senior first-year starter completed 14 of 16 passes for 188 yards and 3 touchdowns, all to Tanner Glock. Phillip also had 6 carries for 49 yards and a 15-yard scoring run.
4. Israel Abrams, QB, Montini
A year ago at this time, Abrams was in uncharted territory as a sophomore. Now he’s a wily veteran as a junior.
Abrams, who boasts eight Power Four offers, kept the offense humming in a 47-27 victory over Morris. He completed 15 of 23 passes for 305 yards and 4 touchdowns.
On one 70-yard touchdown drive he completed all four of his pass attempts and capped it with a 1-yard scoring run. On another, he converted three third-and-long situations.
3. Tanner Glock, DB-WR, St. Francis
A repeat honoree from last week, Glock once again got it done on both sides of the ball in the Spartans’ win over Belvidere North.
The senior caught 5 passes for 80 yards and 3 touchdowns, including the first two scored by St. Francis. He made 5 tackles and recovered a fumble on defense.
After forcing four turnovers in their quarterfinal win over King, the Spartans forced five against Belvidere North.
2. Dario Milivojevic, WR-DB, St. Francis
Two-way play is nothing new for the Spartans, but Milivojevic turned it into an art in Saturday’s win.
The senior had 4 catches for 35 yards on offense. He played bigger on defense, where he forced a fumble to prevent a touchdown as a Belvidere North receiver was headed to the end zone.
Milivojevic also snared a third-quarter interception to help seal the victory. He made 4 tackles.
1. Santino Tenuta, LB, Montini
Yep, you saw him here last week as well. But Tenuta no doubt deserves a repeat mention.
The senior was a ball magnet in the Broncos’ win over Morris while piling up 23 total tackles. He had 2 tackles for loss including a sack.
Credit Montini’s defensive line as well. Johnny Louise, Namari Anderson and Blake Pohlman combined for 25 tackles to help Montini control the line of scrimmage.