Nine out of 10 high school football fans probably would’ve predicted back in August that Loyola and Lincoln-Way East would meet in the Class 8A state championship game this season. They would have been correct. The teams will meet Saturday at Illinois State (7 p.m., CW26).
The Ramblers (13-0) beat Lincoln-Way East 13-3 in the title game last year. And they knocked the Griffins (13-0) out of the playoffs in 2021 with a 3-0 victory in the quarterfinals.
Caden O’Rourke, the Griffins’ dominant defensive end, had Loyola on his mind after a second-round victory against Minooka.
“We have a real grudge against Loyola,” O’Rourke said. “They’ve taken us out [of the playoffs] the last two years. We want to finish them this year.”
The Ramblers have ended three of the Griffins’ last four playoff runs. Lincoln-Way East did beat Loyola in the 2017 state title game.
This is a real rivalry in which every recent game has carried significant weight. When Loyola and Lincoln-Way East play, it matters.
Both programs are built on defense. The Griffins shut out Taft, Minooka and Warren in the playoffs and allowed Barrington only six points in the semifinals.
O’Rourke, a 6-5, 220-pound junior, is joined on defense by Connor Durkin (122 tackles) and JT Poynton (112 tackles). Lincoln-Way East is allowing only 5.2 points per game.
Experienced quarterback Braden Tischer leads the offense, and running back Nuri Muhammad has 20 touchdowns.
Loyola is a more balanced team with dynamic junior quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald (1,853 passing yards, 18 TD passes, one interception). He’s also a force on the ground with 13 rushing touchdowns.
Keep an eye on Ramblers kicker Michael Baker. He might be the state’s best and gives Loyola a major weapon.
Class 7A: Downers Grove North (11-2) vs. Mount Carmel (12-1)
4 p.m. Sat., CW26
While Loyola is a slight favorite against Lincoln-Way East, its Catholic League Blue conference mate Mount Carmel is a heavy favorite. The Caravan looked like the best team in the state in a dominant semifinal win against Batavia.
Wisconsin recruit Darrion Dupree is a threat to score on every carry, and Jack Elliott (2,861 yards, 32 TD passes, five interceptions) is one of the state’s best quarterbacks.
Mount Carmel’s defensive line, led by Tavon Rice, dominated Batavia. Downers Grove North quarterback Owen Lansu, a highly regarded sophomore, won’t have much time in the pocket.
Running back/safety Noah Battle, one of the area’s best two-way players, is the Trojans’ best chance to break a big play.
Class 6A: Cary-Grove (11-2) vs. East St. Louis (11-2)
1 p.m. Sat., CW26
This is a rematch of one of the best games in recent memory. Cary-Grove shocked East St. Louis in the 2021 Class 6A title game.
Once again, East St. Louis is the favorite. Cary-Grove QB Peyton Seaburg has thrown only 28 passes, but we’ve seen the triple-option attack flummox the Flyers before.
Class 5A: Nazareth (8-5) vs. Joliet Catholic (10-3)
10 a.m. Sat., CW26
Junior Logan Malachuk is a three-year starter at QB for the Roadrunners, but he’s underrated. He has thrown for 3,062 yards and 29 TDs with three interceptions. Malachuk is an excellent decision-maker and has a load of talent surrounding him, including James Penley, Trenton Walker and Lesroy Tittle.
Joliet Catholic has played in 20 state championship games and won 15, the most in the state. The Hilltoppers have a better record than Nazareth but are the underdogs. QB Andres Munoz is solid, and defensive tackle Dillan Johnson is one of the state’s best athletes.
Class 4A: St. Laurence (10-3) vs. Rochester (13-0)
7 p.m. Fri., The U
The Rockets have scored 42 points or more in all four playoff games and allowed no more than 14. Rochester has only lost three games in the last three seasons. St. Laurence, led by running back Aaron Ball (21 TDs), has won a series of close games to advance to ISU, taking down Wheaton Academy by one point and IC Catholic by four.
Class 2A: Wilmington (12-1) vs. Athens (11-2)
1 p.m. Fri., The U
Athens has piled up more than 5,000 rushing yards. Camren Bigard and Cory Craig are the standout backs. Wilmington, which has not thrown a pass in multiple games, won the 3A title in ’14 and the 2A title in ’21. The Wildcats’ Kyle Farrell has more than 2,000 rushing yards and 29 TDs.
