State Championship Football Frenzy: Who Will Reign Supreme?
The Illinois high school football state championship games are set to kick off, pitting some of the top teams in the state against each other in a battle for supremacy. On the South Side, St. Rita's Mustangs will face off against Brother Rice, while Mount Carmel looks to defend its title against Oswego.
Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch is aware that his team's opponents won't be intimidated by their success. "We are not the flashiest outfit," Oswego coach Brian Cooney said. "We still believe in running the football." The Panthers' offense has been on fire, with quarterback Emmett Dowling throwing for 3,588 yards and 44 TDs this season.
Brother Rice, meanwhile, is hungry for a state title and tired of playing third fiddle to Mount Carmel and St. Rita. The Crusaders have won just one state championship since 1981, but they're confident that their talent and experience will carry them to the top. Quarterback CJ Gray has thrown for 1,697 yards and 22 TDs this season.
Fenwick, a perennial underdog, is looking to pull off an upset against East St. Louis in the Class 6A championship game. The Friars have been one of the area's most underrated programs in recent years, playing with a chip on their shoulder and forcing themselves into the conversation.
In other matchups, St. Francis will face Providence in the Class 5A title game, while Montini looks to continue its dominant run against Rochester in the Class 4A championship game. In the Class 2A matchup, Wilmington will take on Maroa-Forsyth in a battle of powerhouses.
Who will emerge victorious from these matchups? One thing's for sure - it'll be a thrilling weekend of football in Normal.
The Illinois high school football state championship games are set to kick off, pitting some of the top teams in the state against each other in a battle for supremacy. On the South Side, St. Rita's Mustangs will face off against Brother Rice, while Mount Carmel looks to defend its title against Oswego.
Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch is aware that his team's opponents won't be intimidated by their success. "We are not the flashiest outfit," Oswego coach Brian Cooney said. "We still believe in running the football." The Panthers' offense has been on fire, with quarterback Emmett Dowling throwing for 3,588 yards and 44 TDs this season.
Brother Rice, meanwhile, is hungry for a state title and tired of playing third fiddle to Mount Carmel and St. Rita. The Crusaders have won just one state championship since 1981, but they're confident that their talent and experience will carry them to the top. Quarterback CJ Gray has thrown for 1,697 yards and 22 TDs this season.
Fenwick, a perennial underdog, is looking to pull off an upset against East St. Louis in the Class 6A championship game. The Friars have been one of the area's most underrated programs in recent years, playing with a chip on their shoulder and forcing themselves into the conversation.
In other matchups, St. Francis will face Providence in the Class 5A title game, while Montini looks to continue its dominant run against Rochester in the Class 4A championship game. In the Class 2A matchup, Wilmington will take on Maroa-Forsyth in a battle of powerhouses.
Who will emerge victorious from these matchups? One thing's for sure - it'll be a thrilling weekend of football in Normal.
! The teams are looking fierce and the matchups are super interesting. I gotta give props to Oswego, they've been on fire with that quarterback Emmett Dowling 
. But, I think Mount Carmel's experience will take them far in the competition. Their coach Jordan Lynch is no joke 
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. They've got heart and determination, and it'll be awesome to see them prove themselves against a tough opponent.
fenwick's had some solid seasons, they're not just a pipe dream, they've got the skill and the drive to give those top teams a run for their money. montini's been on fire too, but you can't count out a team that's gonna get up in the class 4A championship game 
st. francis vs providence is gonna be a close one, both have got some serious talent on their rosters. as for mount carmel and brother rice, they're not invincible or anything 
they've both had their share of ups and downs this season. but if i'm being real, it's gonna be a tough road to the top for anyone other than maybe fenwick 
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so many teams are hyped up but gotta say fenwick's underdog story is kinda inspiring 
they've been flying under the radar for years and now they get to take on a huge opponent... will they rise to the challenge? 
️! But at the same time, I love underdogs like Fenwick, they always bring an extra level of energy to the game 
. St. Rita's Mustangs are strong too, but I think Oswego might be their match 
. Can't wait to see all these teams go head-to-head and make it an epic weekend of football in Normal! 
! Who do you think is gonna reign supreme? 
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That guy's a beast! I'm hyped for the whole thing, but if I had to pick... I'd say it's gonna be Mount Carmel making it to the top again 
. Bring on the excitement, Normal is gonna be lit