Scouting the IHSA football championship games
The Class 8A final pits two teams that most had very different expectations for this season.
Mount Carmel was an odds-on favorite to reach the Class 8A final with a bumper crop of NCAA Division I caliber talent on both sides of the ball.
They’ve largely played up to that potential in rolling to the Class 8A final, but there’s a underlying sense that despite those relatively easy wins the Caravan still haven’t reached their apex.
Oswego entered the postseason as a rather unassuming No. 11 seed in the field and the thought process would be the Panthers would probably move along a few rounds on the backs of a strong defense and bow out.
But that defense kept answering the bell and the offense found a way to squeeze out just enough to get them through narrow wins over Maine South in the quarterfinals and Lockport in the semifinals.
Here’s a closer look at the two teams squaring off in the Class 8A title game, which will get underway at 7 p.m. Saturday in Normal.
Mount Carmel (13-0)
Head coach: Jordan Lynch (88-12, 8 years)
Last title-game appearance: 2024, defeated Batavia 55-34 (7A)
Path to state
• defeated Loyola, 21-17
• defeated Belleville East, 48-29
• defeated Lincoln-Way East, 48-7
• defeated Fremd, 42-21
Offensive stalwart
Emmett Dowling, QB: One of the bigger questions heading into the season was how Dowling would replace the spectacular efforts of last year’s QB Jack Elliott, Dowling has had little problem filling that void.
Defense stalwart
Roman Igwebuike, LB: On a defense loaded with players capable of making a big play at any moment, Igewbuike is a steady contributor who always seems to find himself squarely in the middle of the play.
The wildcard
Marshaun Thornton, WR/DE: Thornton is an explosive playmaker capable of blowing open a game at a moments notice. The Caravan have also tinkered with using him on the defensive line at times as well.
Stat book
• Mount Carmel had four receivers with at least 40 receptions.
• Dowling has accounted for more than 4,000 yards of total offense.
• Nate Samuels serves as a bit of a jack of all trades for the Caravan with nearly 700 yards rushing and almost 500 yards receiving.
The skinny
There’s almost an alarming array of talent on both sides of the football for the Caravan. And quite possibly the most perturbing fact for future opponents is that a large chunk of that talent comes from the underclassmen ranks. No one in the state can match that talent base, except possibly East St. Louis, but there have been a few moments where the armor might have shown a crack or two in games this season. But can anyone expose those for an entire game while playing near flawlessly themselves? That’s a question that likely won’t be answered.
Oswego (11-2)
Head coach: Brian Cooney (126-35, 15 years)
Last State Title Game Appearance: 2003, defeated Libertyville 28-21, 2 OT (7A)
Path to state
• defeated Naperville North, 17-7
• defeated Chicago Lane, 45-10
• defeated Maine South, 24-21
• defeated Lockport, 10-7
Offensive stalwart
Drew Kleinhans, QB: Kleinhans has been a stready provider this season, tossing 18 touchdown passes while completing over 60 percent of his passes.
Defensive stalwart
Mariano Velasco, WR-DB: Velasco seems to come through wherever he’s inserted in the Oswego lineup and was almost single-handily responsible for the Panthers win over Maine South.
The wildcard
Ammar Banire, RB: The sophomore has slowly taken on a larger role and broke through for the big play in the semifinal win against Lockport.
Stat book
• Oswego has held opponents to seven points or less seven times this season.
• Three of Oswego’s four playoff wins have been decided by 10 points or less.
• The Panthers have intercepted 17 passes this season.
The skinny
Oswego is a surprise entrant in the Class 8A final, but they’ve almost never strayed from what it is and that’s what lifted them into the state final. Oswego has put together seven games this season where they’ve held an opponent to seven points or less and no opponent has scored more than 21 all season. Offense has been a bit more of a chore, but with a defense that tends to keep the opposition from doing much the burden tends to be less on the offense. That same defense faces a herculean task in this one, but if the Panthers are to have any chance of upsetting the proverbial apple cart that’s where the Panthers will have to stand firm.
Class 7A
There’s something that the 1-to-32 bracketing system allows that is almost impossible to have happen in the north/south bracketing system won’t allow for.
And that’s the matchup between the two combatants in the Class 7A bracket.
The two schools (Brother Rice and St. Rita) are separated by just 4.5 miles and by being placed on the opposite sides of the bracket (which almost certainly could never happen in a 1-to-16 system), four wins got the two schools a rematch from a Week 3 CCL/ESCC clash (won by Brother Rice 28-10).
Here’s a closer look at the two teams squaring off in the Class 7A title game, which will get underway at 4 p.m. Saturday in Normal.
St. Rita (9-4)
Head coach: Martin Hopkins (27-12, 3 seasons)
Last title-game appearance: 2021, lost to Wheaton North, 35-6
Path to state
• defeated Rockford Guilford, 30-20
• defeated Lincoln-Way Central, 31-28
• defeated Hersey, 56-42
• defeated Batavia, 54-34
Offensive stalwart
Steven Armbruster, QB: Armbruster keeps making big play after big play down the stretch for the Mustangs and they need one more week of them to complete the journey.
Defensive stalwart
Jack Schapendonk, LB: The team’s leader in tackles Schapendonk also tends to find a way to get in the opposition’s backfield.
The wildcard
Walter Jones, WR: Jones has been a master of the big play during St. Rita’s playoff run, breaking through for a monster game against Hersey and could play a big factor in the title game.
Stat book
• St. Rita started the season 1-3, at one point was 2-4, and needed a win in Week 9 just to get into the playoff field.
• The Mustangs have scored 171 points in four playoff games after scoring just 276 points in nine regular season games.
• Brandon Johnson Jr. has been a red zone monster for the Mustangs, scoring 20 touchdowns.
The skinny
It’s hard to believe we are just over a month removed from wondering if St. Rita might make the field of 256 teams. With a 4-4 record and a tricky game against IC Catholic in Week 9, the Mustangs’ place in the field was far from secure. But the Mustangs won that Week 9 game to lock in and have taken things up a notch since a precarious stretch of schedule that found them at just 2-4 through six weeks of the season. But that same stretch of schedule is exactly what prepared them for the postseason run they have gone on.
Brother Rice (12-1)
Head coach: Casey Quedenfield (36-19, 5 years)
Last State Title Game Appearance: 2018, lost to Loyola 13-3 (8A)
Path to state
• defeated Rockford Jefferson, 57-0
• defeated Jacobs, 46-0
• defeated St. Charles North, 42-18
• defeated Downers Grove North, 45-17
Offensive stalwart
CJ Gray, QB: Gray has been making play after play for the Crusaders down the stretch and is capable of leading the way for as long as required.
Defensive stalwart
Kameron McGee, DL: The explosive sophomore is capable of making life very difficult for opposing offensive lines.
The wildcard
Jaylin Green, RB: Green doesn’t have a huge workload under his belt, but does a lot when he does get a chance to work with the football.
Stat book
• Brother Rice’s running attack is deep and varied with three different runners scoring double-digit touchdowns.
• The Crusaders have gained almost twice as much total yardage as opponents (4,651 to 2,489).
• Brother Rice’s defensive unit has surrendered just 144 points all season.
The skinny
Brother Rice has had some significant talent on its rosters of the past few years, but for whatever reason the Crusaders haven’t quite been able to put it all together. Whatever was missing seems to have been found in this year’s group as its lone loss was in a competitive contest with juggernaut Mount Carmel. The Crusaders have motored right through a Class 7A field at this point making teams that were believed to be potential title threats look like nothing of the sort.
Class 6A
East St. Louis has established itself as a program that you always have to look out for in the state playoffs.
There’s also a bit of mystery attached to the Flyers as they play significant games against prestige programs from outside of the state of Illinois for almost the majority of their game schedule.
You never know what you are going to get, but there’s a pretty significant chance that it’s going to be pretty darn good.
Their foe, Fenwick, is well aware of the mystique that the Flyers carry. But to the Friars’ credit, they don’t fear the Flyers and relish the opportunity they have to take on that challenge.
Here’s a closer look at the two teams squaring off in the Class 6A title game, which will get underway at 1 p.m. Saturday in Normal.
Fenwick (10-3)
Head coach: Matt Battaglia (42-20, 6 years)
Last title-game appearance: 2021, defeated Kankakee 34-15 (5A)
Path to state
• defeated Chicago Kennedy, 42-6
• defeated Rolling Meadows, 45-7
• defeated Burlington Central, 49-21
• defeated Nazareth, 28-27
Offensive stalwart
Jamen Williams, QB: Williams is capable of strapping the team’s offense on his back if need be, but more importantly he values ball possession throwing just two interceptions on 266 pass attempts.
Defensive stalwart
Tommy Thies, RB/DB: It isn’t the opponent’s best interest to test Thies from his secondary post and he’s stepped up into the box to make 90 tackles.
The wildcard
Noah Sur, K/P: Sur is one of the nation’s top high school kickers and it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to see him boot a successful field goal from beyond 50 yards.
Stat book
• Fenwick quarterbacks have completed 65% of their passes this season.
• The Friars have five different receivers who 500-point have at least 200 receiving yards.
• Fenwick is just six points short of the 500-point barrier this season.
The skinny
Fenwick is testament to how you build a strong foundation to a program. Many thought the Friars would slip substantially with the loss of standout lineman Nate Marshall, who is now at Michigan. But the reality is the Friars might actually be better than they were before not lesser. Its postseason results which included slaying bracket dynamo Nazareth indicate Fenwick is playing its best football at exactly the right time.
East St. Louis (10-3)
Head coach: Darren Sunkett (234-67, 25th season)
Last State Title Game Appearance: 2024, defeated Geneva 48-28
Path to state
• defeated Plainfield East, 63-7
• defeated Chatham Glenwood, 53-14
• defeated Simeon, 49-0
• defeated St. Laurence, 50-7
Offensive stalwart
Myson Johnson-Cook, RB: The explosive runner didn’t even need 100 carries to clear the 1,000-yard barrier as he has 99 carries for 1,107 yards on the year.
Defense stalwart
James Bryant, LB: Bryant seems to find himself right in the thick of things more often than not and has dropped opponents behind the line of scrimmage 20 times this season.
The wildcard
Ahmad Coleman, RB: Coleman is an electric offensive player that needed just 64 carries to put up nearly 700 yards and 14 scores.
Stat book
• East St. Louis’ two quarterbacks have completed nearly 67% of their passes.
• The Flyers tend to look to make big plays downfield, but those downfield shots are with purpose as they’ve thrown just four interceptions all season.
• East St. Louis is averaging nearly 10 yards a carry on 268 rushes.
The skinny
East St. Louis might possess as much talent as anyone in the state on its roster, but the Flyers always seem to be chasing clean performances in state titles. Penalties have always been something of a problem for the Flyers, but the immense talent that they possess has a way of papering over those issues. There’s no doubting that a Flyer scoring opportunity looms around every corner but a team that can successfully keep the ball away from them for a decent stretch had the potential to frustrate them, but often not enough to beat them.
Class 5A
Before the season started there was a guarantee that the Class 5A final was going to look different this year.
Both of last year’s finalists, Nazareth and Joliet Catholic, were moved up a classification due to the IHSA’s success formula, making sure that some new faces would make the final.
The two teams that actually made the final, though, are quite familiar with one another.
St. Francis and Providence are actually playing a rematch of a regular season matchup where the Spartans earned a 47-35 win over the Celtics in Week 5.
Here’s a closer look at the two teams squaring off in the Class 5A title game, which will get underway at 10 a.m. Saturday in Normal.
St. Francis (10-3)
Head coach: Bob McMillen (74-27, 9 years)
Last title-game appearance: 2008, defeated Metamora 49-35
Path to state
• defeated Chicago Morgan Park, 35-28
• defeated Prairie Ridge, 41-38
• defeated Chicago King, 44-14
• defeated Belvidere North, 35-13
Offensive stalwart
Dario Milivojevic, WR: Milivojevic is a big-time playmaker and one of a myriad of receiving options that the Spartans have.
Defense stalwart
Jaylen Torres, LB: Torres has been an absolute menace to the opposition, netting 129 tackles, 10 sacks and 29 total tackles for loss.
The wildcard
Zach Washington, WR-DB: Washington is a huge threat in the passing game but an opponent has to be on red alert for Washington in the return game where he is truly dangerous.
Stat book
• St. Francis has scored plenty of points this season but they distribute the scoring around the roster with only two players with double-digit touchdowns scored.
• QB Brock Phillip has played a hand in 42 touchdowns this season (31 pass, 11 rush).
• The Spartans have three receivers (Zach Washington, Dario Milivojevic and Tanner Glock) with 40-plus receptions on the season.
The skinny
St. Francis can score points – that comes without question. With a dizzying array of offensive options, particularly at the wide receiver position, that’s not an issue. However, St. Francis’s offensive explosiveness often leads to shootout style games where they might benefit from getting a few more defensive stops. The Spartans have allowed four touchdowns or more in seven games this season, but their offense has done enough in most games to offset that.
Providence (10-3)
Head coach: Tyler Plantz (31-18, 4 years)
Last State Title Game Appearance: 2022, lost to Sacred Heart Griffin 44-20 (4A)
Path to state
• defeated Springfield, 63-19
• defeated Kankakee, 35-25
• defeated Washington, 39-6
• defeated Oak Forest, 31-21
Offensive stalwart
Broden Mackert, RB: Mackert runs with a sense of brutality tending to deliver hits to opposing defenders rather than receiving them.
Defense stalwart
Dominic Infelise, DE: Infelise tends to blow up plays early and often as part of a Providence defensive line that likes to impose its will on opponents.
The wildcard
Brayden McKay, RB: McKay seems like he’s a big play waiting to happen and tends to turn what looks like a small gain into a big play on the regular.
Stat book
• Providence hasn’t lost a fumble all season.
• The Celtics have rushed for 3,338 yards this season, the second most single-season total in school history.
• Providence has cleared 3,000 yards rushing (3,338) and 2,000 yards passing (2.026).
The skinny
Providence had a roster full of players that entered the season as a bit of a wildcard. Most of them have come up aces for the Celtics. A lot of attention has been placed on the previous meeting the two teams, but Providence is a considerably different team than that first showdown. If the Celtics can play a cleaner game, particularly on special teams and tamper down penalties, there’s no reason not to believe this is going to be an absolute barnburner.
Class 4A
The two teams involved in the Class 4A state championship had different paths to the state championship game.
Montini, after being one of just two teams to survive a brutal CCL/ESCC schedule without a loss, has absolutely dominated its way through the Class 4A playoffs with 20 points being the closest any playoff foe has come to toppling the Broncos.
Rochester, on the other hand, has found itself in a number of sticky situations just to get to Hancock Stadium – enduring back-to-back overtime games to make it its 10th ever title game.
Here’s a closer look at the two teams squaring off in the Class 4A title game, which will get underway at 7 p.m. Friday in Normal.
Montini (13-0)
Head coach: Mike Bukovsky (69-30, 9 years)
Last title-game appearance: 2024, defeated Monticello 49-8 (3A)
Path to state
• defeated Chicago Urban Prep-Bronzeville, 50-6
• defeated Peoria Notre Dame, 47-17
• defeated Coal City, 35-0
• defeated Morris, 47-27
Offensive stalwart
Israel Abrams, QB: Abrams is one of the most electric players in the state and the junior quarterback is a huge threat any time the ball is in his hands.
Defense stalwart
Santino Tenuta, RB-LB: Tenuta sets up camp behind the line of scrimmage as he’s posted 33 tackles for loss as part of his 153-tackle season.
The wildcard
Luca Florio, WR-DB: Florio doesn’t see the ball a ton, but he knows what to do with it when he gets it. As he averages 23 yards a reception and scores a touchdown on about one of every three times he catches the ball.
Stat book
• Montini has four different receivers who have at least 32 receptions.
• QB Israel Abrams has had a direct hand in 45 Montini touchdowns this season (36 pass, 9 rush).
• Montini has forced 32 turnovers this season.
The skinny
Montini moved up to Class 4A after winning the Class 3A title. That was due to a change to the enrollment process where Montini went from not being multiplied to multiplied for this season although Mike Bukovsky is quick to point out that the school has never asked for a multiplier adjustment and simply played where assigned by the IHSA. The step up in class has seemed to be little to no deterrent for the Broncos. It will take a great effort to keep them from going back-to-back in different classifications.
Rochester (12-1)
Head coach: Derek Leonard (217-40, 21 years)
Last State Title Game Appearance: 2023, defeated St. Laurence 59-38
Path to state
• defeated Taylorville, 56-7
• defeated Waterloo, 55-21
• defeated Sacred Heart Griffin, 41-35
• defeated Breese Central, 43-42
Offensive stalwart
Kaiden Stout, RB-DB: Stout has cleared the 1,000-yard barrier for the Rockets and also is a major contributor in the pass game with 26 receptions.
Defense stalwart
Connor Broughton, TE-DL: Broughton is only the team’s fourth leading tackler, but almost 40% of his overall stops are behind the line of scrimmage.
The wildcard
Nate Swaney, WR-DB: Swaney is a bit of a Swiss Army Knife for the Rockets, contributing in a number of different ways with 48 receptions, 40 tackles and three interceptions.
Stat book
• Rochester is just short of 6,000 total yards of offense with almost perfect balance with 3,014 yards of rushing and 2,904 yards of passing.
• The Rockets rotate quarterbacks and the tandem of JP Leonard (1,442 yards and 12 passing TD’s) and Tanner Beal (1,393 and 13) have posted nearly identical numbers.
• Only one player on Rochester’s roster has scored more than 10 touchdowns, but six Rockets have found the end zone at least four times.
The skinny
Rochester coach Derek Leonard is widely regarded as one of the better innovators in the state and he’ll readily admit that this year’s version of the Rockets has surprised him a bit in the success level they have achieved. One thing that can be counted on for the Rockets is that they will be a prominent offensive presence but will they have enough firepower to play with a powerful Montini defense.
Class 3A
The Class 3A final is another championship game that follows the thread of a pair of teams that are locking horns that are absolutely no stranger to reaching deep in the postseason.
Byron has reached at least the semifinal round in all but one of the last seven seasons and is just two years removed from having one of the most powerful offenses in state history in its title run in 2023.
Tolono Unity also has a long running pedigree of postseason success. Since 2000, Tolono programs have had 13 seasons where it has reached at least the semifinal round of the postseason with six title game appearances. The championship, however, has eluded it in each of those six previous appearances.
Here’s a closer look at the two teams squaring off in the Class 3A title game, which will get underway at 4 p.m. Friday in Normal.
Byron (13-0)
Head coach: Jeff Boyer (136-28, 14 years)
Last title-game appearance: 2023, defeated Mt. Carmel 69-7
Path to state
• defeats Oregon, 63-15
• defeats Durand-Pecatonica, 38-12
• defeats IC Catholic, 28-6
• defeats Richmond-Burton, 44-10
Offensive stalwart
Caden Considine, RB/LB: Considine’s carries are somewhat limited by lopsided scores and his workload on both sides of the ball (he’s also the second leading tackler), but he does a lot when he’s got the ball in his hands, piling up 1,657 yards on just 135 carries.
Defense stalwart
Ben Hiveley, RB/LB: Running into the heart of the Byron defense isn’t usually recommended especially when Hiveley is taking up residence. Hiveley still managed to post a 100-tackle season when many of his team’s games are wrapped up rather early.
The wildcard
Andrew Talbert, QB/DB: Good things usually happen when the speedy Talbert makes a decision in space. A baseball standout who is committed to North Carolina, Talbert is a creative playmaker.
Stat book
• Byron has turned the ball over just four times this season.
• About every four times Caden Considine touches the football he reaches the end zone.
• The Tigers are rushing for nearly 10 yards per carry. (9.49).
The skinny
Few programs have been as dominant offensively over the past few seasons, but this particular version of Byron has added a component of defensive shutdown to their formula as well. While Byron has posted more than 50 points seven times this season perhaps more impressive is the fact that no one has scored more than 15 points in any game against the Tigers this season.
Tolono Unity (12-1)
Head coach: Tony Reetz (12-1, 1 year)
Last State Title Game Appearance: 2021, lost to Byron 35-7
Path to state
• defeats Mt. Carmel, 42-14
• defeats Monticello, 21-20
• defeats Williamsville, 42-7
• defeats St. Joseph-Ogden, 51-44
Offensive stalwart
Crewe Eckstein, RB: Eckstein has been a real workhorse for the Spartans powering his way to 1,624 yards and 23 scores.
Defense stalwart
Keegan Germano, LB: Germano seems to spend most of his time around the football, amassing 125 total tackles and six sacks.
The wildcard
Tre Hoggard, WR/DB: Hoggard is one of two 1,000-yard receivers on the roster along with Tyler Henry and he’s got a real knack for hitting paydirt with 19 touchdowns on 69 total touches.
Stat book
• Tolono Unity is just short of 6,000 yards of total offense on the season showing solid balance with 3,143 yards passing and 2,769 yards rushing.
• Tolono QB Dane Eisenmenger has thrown 32 touchdown passes against just three interceptions.
• Three different Tolono players (Crewe Eckstein, Tre Hoggard and Tyler Henry) have netted at least 10 touchdowns this season.
The skinny
Tolono Unity has built a remarkable consistent program over time but the question of how they might transition from the retirement of veteran coach Scott Hamilton was answered with authority as long-time assistant Tony Reetz guided the Rockets back to the promised land. It remains to be seen if this group can finally break through the last barrier and win the elusive title, but either way, Tolono’s season can be marked as an overwhelming success.
Class 2A
State championship games, in theory, are supposed to be something that are unique experiences.
But for both of the teams in the Class 2A State Championship game, the feeling of reaching the final game of the season has become a fairly common occurrence.
Maroa-Forsyth has become a virtual staple in the state championship game with the program making its 10th championship game appearance since 2016, with two wins.
Wilmington finds itself in its third championship game in the last five seasons, having claimed titles in both 2021 and 2023 and is aiming for the school’s fourth state title overall, having also won in 2014.
Here’s a closer look at the two teams squaring off in the Class 2A title game, which will get underway at 1 p.m. Friday in Normal.
Wilmington (12-1)
Head coach: Jeff Reents (297-67, 32 years)
Last title-game appearance: 2023, defeated Athens 28-3
Path to state
• defeated West Hancock, 70-8
• defeated Seneca, 42-0
• defeated Tri-Valley, 49-7
• defeated El Paso-Gridley, 41-0
Offensive stalwart
Ryan Kettman, RB-DB: Wilmington has rushed for over 5,000 yards this season and Kettman is the breakaway back in Wilmington’s stable.
Defense stalwart
Zach Ohlund, OL/DL: Ohlund is the anchor of a defensive unit that not only takes points being scored against it personally but yardage as well.
The wildcard
Billy Moore, QB/DB: Wilmington doesn’t really throw the ball (it has completed four passes all season), but teams must respect Moore as an explosive runner, giving teams another problem to worry about.
Stat book
• Wilmington has enforced the running clock in all but three games this season including all four of its playoff contests.
• The Wildcats have punted just eight times all season.
• Wilmington has three different defenders (Zach Ohlund, Declan Moran and Logan Van Duyne) with at least 10 tackles for loss.
The skinny
Pound for pound Wilmington is playing as well as anyone in the state right now, roaring through four postseason games and starting the running clock in each of those contests. Wilmington’s program blueprint has been operational for 30-plus years and might be running those offensive and defensive principles as well as it ever has.
Maroa-Forsyth (11-2)
Head coach: Josh Jostes (247-67, 26th season)
Last State Title Game Appearance: 2024, lost to Chicago Christian 47-0
Path to state
• defeats Chester, 26-14
• defeats Johnston City, 41-6
• defeats Flora, 48-12
• defeats Arthur, 28-6
Offensive stalwart
Ryne Sheppard, QB/LB: Sheppard puts the ball in the air with intent, having thrown for over 3,000 yards with just two interceptions to his name.
Defense stalwart
Isaiah Bohlmann, WR/LB: Bohlmann simply knows how to get opponents on the ground, amassing 181 stops on the season.
The wildcard
Zach Smith, QB/WR: Smith is an incredible offensive weapon that Maroa should be able to deploy. He’s designated as the wildcard, though, as he sat out the semifinal contest with an ankle injury.
Stat book
• Maroa-Forsyth has forced 26 turnovers this season.
• The Trojans have a balanced offensive attack that has thrown for 3,511 yards while running for 2,008.
• Ryne Sheppard has accounted for nearly 4,000 yards of total offense as he leads the team in passing yards (3,191) and rushing yards (772).
The skinny
Maroa-Forsyth has made this title game run so much recently that it feels like the Trojans can almost be penciled in to a deep postseason run before the postseason begins. Maroa-Forsyth’s regular season path wasn’t as smooth as many years, but like so many Trojan teams of recent vintage, Maroa-Forsyth seems to be able to flip a switch when the postseason lights grow brighter.
Class 1A
The predominant two conferences in Class 1A for the better part of the last decade have been the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference and the Western Illinois Valley Conference.
So in that sense, it seems only fitting that the two representatives in the Class 1A final come from those two power leagues.
But at certain times it looked like those conference representatives might be from different teams.
Even though Lena-Winslow has been in the Class 1A final in each of the last five seasons an early-season loss to conference rival Stockton and a litany of injuries made this year’s path to the final a little bit more taxing than in years past.
Brown County took a pair of regular-season losses to Calhoun and Camp Point Central. But the Hornets have played gritty, opportunistic football in the playoffs and managed to avenge both of those losses in the postseason on their road to Hancock Stadium.
Here’s a closer look at the two teams squaring off in the Class 1A title game, which will get underway at 10 a.m. Friday in Normal.
Lena-Winslow (12-1)
Head coach: Ric Arand (273-69, 29 years)
Last title-game appearance: 2024, lost 57-14 to Belleville Althoff
Path to state
• defeated Forreston, 48-22
• defeated Gibson City-Melvin Sibley, 43-14
• defeated Annawan-Wethersfield, 42-20
• defeated Stockton, 30-16
Offensive stalwart
Aiden Wild, FB/DL: Wild surged past the 2,000-yard barrier in the semifinal win over Stockton and leads a rushing attack that has posted nearly 4,500 rushing yards this season.
Defense stalwart
Miles Mahon, TE/ILB: An honorable mention All-State performer, Mahon leads the team in receiving yards, tackles and extra points made.
The wildcard
Gannon Dunker, OL/DL: An interior lineman that makes an impact on both sides of the football.
Stat book
• Lena-Winslow has attempted just 24 passes all season, completing 13.
• The Panthers are averaging 8.43 yards per rushing attempt.
• Aiden Wild (32 touchdowns) and Alec Schlichting (21 touchdowns) have accounted for 62% of the 520 points Lena-Winslow has scored this season.
The skinny
Lena-Winslow has made itself a staple at the state finals weekend and has made six consecutive championship games. The Panthers have a blueprint that clearly works and after a rare early-season setback to Stockton coupled with some injury issues that have largely been resolved, Lena-Winslow appears to be in a great place to possibly collect its fourth title in the last six years after falling in the last two title games.
Brown County (11-2)
Head coach: Tom Little (154-94, 26 years)
Last State Title Game Appearance: First appearance
Path to state
• defeated Athens, 48-0
• defeated Camp Point Central, 16-8
• defeated Carrollton, 37-13
• defeated Calhoun, 14-13
Offensive stalwart
Jack Sefton, RB/DB: His carries have been somewhat limited on the season, but when Brown County does deploy him he does major damage to the tune of 12.7 yards per carry.
Defense stalwart
Trey Fullerton, RB/LB: Fullerton has an astonishing 173 tackles on the season and remarkably serves as the team’s leading rusher as well.
The wildcard
Brodie Phelps, RB/DB: Phelps is slowly being brought back from an injury but has been a beast when unleashed, averaging nearly 12 yards per carry.
Stat book
• Brown County has a +22 turnover ratio.
• The Hornets have four different ball carriers that have rushed for 400-plus yards.
• Brown County only allowed 42 points in the nine games they played this season that weren’t against Camp Point Central or Calhoun.
The skinny
Brown County has had an excellent season but the Hornets dominance, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, was overshadowed a bit by two regular season losses to teams that entered the season with a bit higher profile. But a defense that had allowed eight points or less in six games during the regular season ratcheted things up in the postseason and got quality teams to turn the ball over to them in key situations. It’s a routine that Brown County would like nothing more than to replicate in the title game.