Football teams’ aims this week: State championships

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By Bobby Narang

The end of November always signals a special time of the season in high school sports in Illinois. With the first week of boys basketball starting on the Monday week of Thanksgiving, it is followed by State football eight-class football championships on the weekend. It’s a busy time around the State.

• Elmhurst’s IC Catholic Prep is back on the big stage in a battle with Williamsville in the Class 3A State football championship at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25 at the University of Illinois. The Knights (12-1) avenged a playoff loss to Byron last season with a 35-0 victory in the semifinals. IC head coach Bill Krefft will seek his fourth State championship Friday, after the Knights won three consecutive championships, 2016-2018. Joey Gliatta sparked the Knights with 192 yards rushing and four touchdowns to wipe away any residue from a one-point defeat to Byron last season.

“Our kids executed for four quarters and you can’t ask for more out of a grown group of men,” Krefft said. “They’re resilient. They’re fighters. They deserved to win that game. That’s a good football team they were able to do that to.”

The Knights’ search for a fourth championship in program history runs through Williamsville (12-1). The Bullets, coached by Aaron Kunz, have won six straight games since dropping a 24-20 decision to Maroa-Forsyth.

• In Class 4A, Providence Catholic defeated St. Francis to advance to a 7 p.m. battle with Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin. Providence (9-4) has put to rest any thoughts of their ability to beat highly-ranked opponents. Entering the playoffs as a No. 13 seed, the Celtics, under first-year head coach Tyler Plantz, are seeking to avenge a 24-17 defeat to the Cyclones in the 2008 Class 6A semifinals.

• After a three-year absence, Nazareth Academy is back under the State lights, playing Peoria in the 5A final at 10 a.m. Saturday. The Roadrunners (9-4) are making their first State appearance since finishing in second place in 2019, when current Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy was under center. Nazareth head coach Tim Racki goes in search of his eighth State championship Saturday. Peoria (12-1) owns a five-game winning streak, while trying to win its second State championship in program history.

• In Class 6A, Prairie Ridge will do battle with East St. Louis at 1 p.m. Saturday, while Mt. Carmel will take on Batavia in the 7A championship game.

• Batavia will have revenge on its mind in Class 7A, after losing to the Mt. Carmel in the playoffs last season on a controversial untimed down. The Bulldogs (10-3) captured State championships in both 2013 and 2017.

• In the final game, Lincoln-Way East will tackle Loyola Academy in the 8A championship. Lincoln-Way East (13-0) has crushed teams all season and owns 12 victories by double digits. Head coach Rob Zvonar has won three State championships in his illustrious coaching career.

Loyola Academy ended York High School’s historic and perfect season with a 30-3 victory in the semifinals to be in position to win the program’s third State championship since 2015.

York head coach Michael Fitzgerald gives credit to his seniors for lifting the program to new heights over the last two seasons.

“You can tell our program is built on love, not fear,” he said. “This senior group did everything I asked them to do and I can’t imagine them not being at practice the next time we practice. They do things the right way and I’m not surprised by the results because of the type of character they have. They will leave a lasting legacy, their influence will be felt for years to come. Loyola is a great football team and they have a great program. That’s what we are trying to work to be and I think we are closing the gap.”

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