Class 1A championship: Tuscola (12-1) vs. Lena-Winslow (12-1).
The Warriors are playing in their fourth title game in five years, and Tuscola fans will tell you it should probably be their fifth. Only a fumbled snap in 2008 kept the Warriors from that state title game, and Tuscola is 2-1 in the state championship since its first appearance. Le-Win's triple threat rushing attack keeps this game close, but I think Tuscola knows what it takes to grab another trophy.
Tuscola 27, Lena-Winslow 17.
Class 2A championship: Maroa-Forsyth (11-2) vs. Sterling Newman Central Catholic (13-0).
Newman almost beat Stillman Valley in the 3A playoffs last year, returned a large crop of players to this season's team and beat defending 2A champion Morrison twice this year — most recently in the state quarterfinals. The OVC-based Trojans were clipped by St. Teresa and somehow lost to Central A&M during the regular season before regrouping in November. I think their luck runs out against Newman.
Newman 33, Maroa-Forsyth 21.
Class 3A championship: Illini West (13-0) vs. Stillman Valley (13-0).
Two the state's best small schools programs battle it out in the 3A title game. The Cardinals had to survive Unity to get here, and Illini West handled Mount Carmel to reach the state finals for the tenth time. Stillman Valley is 4-0 in state title games, Illini West is 5-4. I won't be watching this one in person, but I'll definitely be checking it out on the TV after the holiday. I think it goes down to the wire.
Stillman Valley 30, Illini West 27.
Class 4A championship: Rochester (13-0) vs. Rock Island Alleman (13-0).
Rochester was ranked No. 1 all of last season and put up some spectacular offensive statistics before losing to Metamora on a failed two-point conversion in the state semifinals. The Cardinals then rolled to another state title. When the two teams met last Saturday, the Rockets got their revenge and then some. Rochester rolled 50-17, and I think they do the same thing against Alleman.
Rochester 41, Alleman 24.
Class 5A championship: Chatham Glenwood (10-3) vs. Lombard Montini (11-2).
Glenwood is the biggest underdog to reach the state finals since Montini last year. The Titans were just 6-3 during the regular year. They lost their first two games by a combined score of 75-14, and were hammered 49-21 by Rochester. But something has clicked for them since. Montini went 5-4 last year before making a miracle run to the state title. Glenwood's story is nice, but I don't think Montini gives up its crown.
Montini 38, Glenwood 13.
Class 6A championship: Aurora Marmion Academy (12-1) vs. Rockford Boylan (13-0).
For area football fans, you know this was supposed to be Danville's game. The Vikings were the No. 1-ranked team in 6A all year and coasted to a 12-0 mark entering last week's game against Marmion. Then the Cadets went out and whooped them. Marmion's schedule is brutal, and they've been tested for this game. Neither team has won a state title, so this will be milestone for one.
Marmion 20, Boylan 14.
Class 7A championship: Wheaton Warrenville South (13-0) vs. Lake Zurich (12-1).
Warrenville has been the state's top-ranked team all season (over all classes), and is nationally ranked. The Tigers are the defending state champs, and their quarterback (Reilly O'Toole) is a UI recruit. Everything about this game signals a blowout win for the Tigers. But Lake Zurich has earned the right to be here. The Bears won the state title in 2007 and reached the semis last fall.
Warrenville South 41, Lake Zurich 22.
Class 8A championship: Maine South (11-2) vs. Chicago Mount Carmel (11-2).
I don't think there were many people out there that expected Maine South to be playing in this game after starting the year 0-2. The two-time defending champs opened the season with a loss to Schaumburg then were hammered 44-7 by Warrenville South. The Hawks are 11-0 since then, and they look tough. Mount Carmel has played in 13 state title games under Frank Lenti, but the Caravan haven't won a title since 2002.
Maine South 29, Mount Carmel 23.
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