Six of the eight 2023 Illinois high school football champs are still in the running to defending their titles.
In the 8A state semifinals, two-time defending champ Loyola Academy is looking for a three-peat. The Ramblers square-off with Lincoln-Way East, the team they’ve been for the last two titles.
Chicago’s Mount Carmel is also looking for back-to-back 7A titles. The Caravan, who are looking for their 16th overall state football championship, will play St. Rita on Saturday. Back on September 6, MC beat the Mustangs 28-0.
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Defending 6A champ Cary-Grove plays Geneva in the semis. On the other side of the bracket, East St. Louis, ranked No. 1 in the High School Football America Illinois Top 10, faces Oak Lawn.
In 5A, defending champ Nazareth Academy meets St. Francis (Wheaton) on Saturday.
Wilmington, the 2023 2A champ, is still alive in 3A. The Wildcats face Montini Catholic on Saturday.
After its first-ever title in 2023, Camp Point Central is back in the 1A semifinals against Althoff Catholic. The Panthers plays Lena-Winslow, the team that they beat for last year’s championship.
Below are all of the state semifinal matchups.
Illinois High School Football Playoffs
State Semifinals
8A
Wilmette (Loyola Academy) (10-2) at Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) (12-0), Sat., Nov. 23, 6:00 pm
Elmhurst (York) (10-2) at Naperville (Central) (11-1), Sat., Nov. 23, 6:00 pm
7A
Batavia (11-1) at New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central) (9-3), Sat., Nov. 23, 5:00 pm
Chicago (Mt. Carmel) (9-3) at Chicago (St. Rita) (10-2), Sat., Nov. 23, 3:00 pm
6A
Cary (Grove) (12-0) at Geneva (11-1), Sat., Nov. 23, 1:00 pm
Oak Lawn (Richards) (11-1) at East St. Louis (Sr.) (11-1), Sat., Nov. 23, 2:00 pm
5A
Wheaton (St. Francis) (10-2) at LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy) (10-2), Sat., Nov. 23, 1:00 pm
Morris (8-4) at Joliet (Catholic Academy) (9-3), Sat., Nov. 23, 2:00 pm
4A
Chicago (DePaul) (9-3) at Coal City (10-2), Sat., Nov. 23, 1:00 pm
Mt. Zion (9-3) at Normal (University) (10-2), Sat., Nov. 23, 7:00 pm
3A
Wilmington (12-0) at Lombard (Montini) (10-2), Sat., Nov. 23, 1:00 pm
Tolono (Unity) (9-3) at Monticello (10-2), Sat., Nov. 23, 2:00 pm
2A
Palos Heights (Chicago Christian) (11-1) at Farmington (12-0), Sat., Nov. 23, 2:00 pm
Maroa (M.-Forsyth) (11-1) at Johnston City (11-1), Sat., Nov. 23, 3:30 pm
1A
Lena (L.-Winslow) (12-0) at LeRoy (12-0), Sat., Nov. 23, 2:00 pm
Camp Point (Central) (11-1) at Belleville (Althoff Catholic) (12-0), Sat., Nov. 23, 2:00 pm
