By Bobby Narang
Montini Catholic High School football coach Mike Bukovsky couldn’t help, but take a trip down memory lane.
After the Montini Broncos defeated Peoria Notre Dame Saturday, Nov. 8 in a Class 4A second-round playoff game, the stage was set for a rematch with Coal City.
Twenty-one years earlier, the Broncos met Coal City in the State championship game, posting an impressive win to earn the program’s first State title. The Broncos (11-0) host the Coalers (9-2) Saturday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m., the first time the two programs have faced each other since the Broncos recorded a 44-7 victory in the 4A title game in 2024.
“Obviously, this week is a big matchup with Coal City, especially since the last time we played them was 21 years ago,” Bukovsky said. “That was our first state championship. That was a long time ago. It’s kind of neat. It was our first breakthrough to get to a State championship game. Our coach, Chris Andriano, went through more than a few trials and tribulations in order to get there. It was a special year. We had a very good championship game and a big victory.
“It was a great start. Who would’ve known back then where everything would lead to? It’s been fun.”
Fun is a good way to describe seven State championships and three runner-up finishes in 21 years, with six championships under the realm of Andriano and Bukovsky capturing his first title last season in a 45-12 win over Wilmington.
Coal City reached the State quarterfinals with an impressive 49-42 win over Dixon in the second round, withstanding a run of 21 consecutive points by the Dukes. Coal City quarterback Connor Henline passed for 307 yards and three touchdowns, including strikes of 64, 55, and 78 yards.
“Coal City is a very good football team,” Bukovsky said. “A very complete team which plays well in all three phases of the game. They look physical on film and have good athleticism and speed. They will definitely be a big challenge. I have a lot of experience knowing Coal City from wrestling. They have a very good wrestling and football program. They have tough kids. We have to bring our “A” game on Saturday.”