Avert your eyes, sports fans. Here comes another batch of predictions for this weekend’s IHSA title football games.
Between Lena-Winslow, Montini, Nazareth, Joliet Catholic, East St. Louis, Mt. Carmel and Loyola, the usual suspects are definitely back. Those seven programs have combined for 62 state titles.
Chicago Christian, DePaul Prep, Mt. Zion, Geneva and York, meanwhile, are vying for their first.
Class 1A: Lena-Winslow (13-0) vs. Althoff Catholic (13-0)
Lena-Winslow returns with a backfield tandem of Alec Schlichting and Aiden Wild that’s combined for more than 3,000 rushing yards. Quarterback Kasch Lessman has thrown only 23 passes all season.
The Crusaders offer a balanced attack with Dierre Hill Jr., an Oregon commit, rushing for 2,150 yards and 27 touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Jayden Ellington has thrown for 1,940 yards.
Althoff defensive lineman Jason Dowell is committed to Missouri.
Prediction: Althoff’s tough schedule will be the difference.
Class 2A: Chicago Christian (12-1) vs. Maroa-Forsyth (12-1)
Chicago Christian, which lost 42-6 to Maroa-Forsyth in the opening round last year, is led by Kenny Jager, who has rushed for 1,802 yards, and Christian Flutman, who’s thrown for 1,743.
Maroa-Forsyth’s Ryne Sheppard has thrown for 3,320 yards and 46 touchdowns. The Trojans also have a 1,000-yard rusher in Khanton Wilson and a two-way standout, Grant Smith, committed to Illinois.
Prediction: I’m leaning toward the Trojans.
Class 3A: Montini (11-2) vs. Monticello (11-2)
Montini has been on a roll since dropping consecutive games to Marist and Fenwick. Much of the reason is the development of sophomore quarterback Izzy Abrams, who has thrown for 1,778 yards and 24 touchdowns.
The Broncos’ defense has been phenomenal in the playoffs, led by linebacker Jaxon Lane, defensive back Nick Irion and lineman Nicky Castaldo.
Monticello quarterback Ike Young, an Illinois baseball commit, has thrown for 3,184 yards, including 107 catches for 1,739 yards by Carter Foran and 78 catches by Nolan Buehnerkemper.
Prediction: The pick is Montini based on its playoff surge.
Class 4A: DePaul Prep (10-3) vs. Mt. Zion (10-3)
DePaul quarterback Juju Rodriguez has been a spark in the postseason and has thrown for 2,870 yards. Braden Peevy has 73 catches and 1,159 yards.
Need a reason to watch this game? Look no further than Mt. Zion two-way standout J.C. Anderson, a junior tight end and defensive lineman whose 30-plus scholarship offers include the bulk of the Big Ten and SEC.
Keller Stocks has thrown for 2,853 yards. His top targets are Brayden Trimble, committed to Illinois, and Jacob Harvey.
Prediction: Going with Mt. Zion based on that star power.
Class 5A: Nazareth (11-2) vs. Joliet Catholic (10-3)
A rematch of last year’s 5A final, won by Nazareth. The Roadrunners also beat the Hilltoppers in the regular season.
Nazareth, aiming for a three-peat, returns virtually its entire lineup from last season including quarterback Logan Malachuk, who has thrown for 3,083 yards and 42 touchdowns.
Linebacker Gabe Kaminski is committed to Stanford and defensive back Garrett Reese to Indiana.
Joliet Catholic is led by its two-headed backfield of Larry Stringham and Nate Magrini, who have each rushed for more than 1,200 yards.
Prediction: There’s no reason to think Nazareth won’t get that three-peat.
Class 6A: Geneva (12-1) vs. East St. Louis (12-1)
East St. Louis — winner of 10 state titles — faces the Vikings, vying for their first.
It’s hard to imagine a team with receiver Talyn Taylor, committed to Georgia, being an underdog. But here we are.
Taylor has been as good as advertised this season for Geneva while snaring 76 catches for 1,501 yards and 23 touchdowns. Quarterback Tony Chahino, who’s thrown for 3,277 yards, also has quality targets in Finnegan Weppner and Bennett Konkey.
Geneva’s defense — anchored by linebackers Sean Lane and Troy Velez — thrives on turnovers.
East St. Louis is again loaded with top talent. Defensive back Charles Bass is committed to Missouri, running back TaRyan Martin to Kent State and linebacker Mekhi Mixon is headed to Grambling State.
Martin, Fresh Woods and Amir Tillman have combined for more than 1,800 rushing yards while Kendrick Lyons has thrown for 2,402 yards.
Prediction: East St. Louis is primed to take home title No. 11.
Class 7A: Batavia (12-1) vs. Mt. Carmel (10-3)
The Bulldogs have made it work with two quarterbacks — sophomore Michael Vander Luitgaren and junior Bodi Anderson. They’ve combined for more than 2,000 passing yards.
To pull off a victory, though, Batavia needs a big game from running back Nathan Whitwell. He’s averaged more than 20 carries a game while rushing for 1,669 yards.
Between defensive back Chase Osborne, lineman Xavier Blanquel and linebacker Jake Feller, the Bulldogs have no shortage of playmakers on that side of the ball.
Vanderbilt commit Jack Elliott is an offensive machine for the Caravan. He’s thrown for 2,846 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for 655 yards and 16 scores.
Defensive lineman Braeden Jones is committed to USC.
Prediction: Another three-peat, this time for Mt. Carmel.
Class 8A: Loyola (11-2) vs. York (11-2)
Loyola started the season 1-2, then became its usual dominant self when quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald, headed to Iowa, recovered from a brief hamstring injury.
Drew MacPherson, also committed to Iowa, leads the team with 1,038 rushing yards and 56 catches for 678 yards. Defensive back Donovan Robinson is committed to Washington.
York’s ground game is punishing. Bruno Massel, the Dukes’ quarterback, and Henry Duda are 1,000-yard rushers. Jimmy Conners is right behind with 727 yards.
Two-way lineman Joseph Reiff, a Notre Dame recruit, especially excels on defense. Linebacker Evan Gaughan boasts 8 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss. Conners is also a key linebacker.
Prediction: Yep, another three-peat. Loyola seems on a mission.
