Competition ran fierce on Playoff Selection Sunday as some of Illinois’ top football teams clawed and scratched to keep their state title hopes alive.
Class 1A
Undefeated Toulon Stark County notched its ninth victory of the season with a 47-6 shellacking of Princeville. In Stark County’s eighth game scoring 40 or more points this season, the Rebels had 390 yards of offense with 297 yards via the ground.
Princeville managed just 97 total yards with a mere 31 yards through the air. Stark County’s Chase Johnston rushed for 193 yards on 13 carries (3 TD). The Rebels quarterback John Groter completed 6 of 9 passes for 93 yards and three scores.
Chicago’s Hope Academy (8-1) got back to its winning ways with a 60-7 blowout of Mooseheart this weekend. The team had its undefeated season tarnished at the hands of Marquette two weeks ago by the score of 28-26. Hope Academy will be a No. 5 seed in the IHSA football playoffs.
Brown County (8-1) had its perfect season wiped away by the Calhoun Warriors in a non-conference road game 21-14 Friday. The Warriors quarterback Blake Booth was spectacular with his legs and arm. The senior threw for 65 yards and a touchdown, while running for two scores with 49 rushing yards. The loss dropped Brown to the No. 6 seeded team in the 1A playoffs.
Class 2A
The Westville Tigers (7-2) ended their season on a high with 42-17 win over rival Georgetown-Ridge Farm to extend its season streak to six games. Things didn’t start off well for the Tigers at 1-2 to begin the year, but a strong push has them as a 10-seed in the playoffs.
Villa Grove’s football team (8-1) suffered its only loss of the season in its final game against the fellow Blue Devils of Bismark-Henning. Though Bismark’s quarterback Dylan Allen threw two passes for touchdowns, the Blue Devils’ running game punished Villa Grove with 285 total rushing yards. The loss locked up a No. 4 seed for the Villa Grove Blue Devils.
