Previewing the top state semifinal high school football games
A look at some of the best semifinals this weekend.
Class 8A: No. 2 Loyola at No. 1 Lincoln-Way East, 6 p.m. Saturday
This game — a rematch of the last two Class 8A finals, both won by Loyola — is the one everyone has been waiting for since the brackets were announced. Loyola (10-2) wobbled a bit early with losses to East St. Louis and St. Francis in the first three weeks, but has won nine in a row mostly in dominant fashion. Two Iowa commits — quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald and running back Drew MacPherson — keep the Ramblers offense rolling, and Washington-bound Donovan Robinson leads a defense that has limited seven of its last opponents under 20 points. Lincoln-Way East (12-0) has a four-star quarterback in Jonas Williams, an Oregon commit and the state's top-ranked junior. Running backs Zion Gist and Brody Gish are other proven offensive options for Lincoln-Way East (12-0) and Northwestern-bound edge rusher Caden O'Rourke leads an elite defense.
Class 8A: No. 14 York at No. 4 Naperville Central, 6 p.m. Saturday
Overshadowed by West Suburban Silver rivals Lyons and Downers Grove North in the regular season, York (10-2) is back in the semifinals for the third straight year thanks to one of the state's best ground games. The Dukes have rushed 86 times for 747 yards (an 8.7 average) over the past two weeks with quarterback Bruno Massel (348 yards, seven touchdowns) leading the way. Backs Jimmy Conners and Henry Duda also are capable of 100-yard games. Naperville Central (11-1), the only team to hold a lead on Lincoln-Way East this season, has a well-balanced offense led by quarterback Sebastian Hayes, Indiana State-bound receiver DeShaun Williams and running back Aiden Clark.
Class 7A: No. 3 Mount Carmel at No. 7 St. Rita, 3 p.m. Saturday
It's the 105th meeting in this South Side rivalry, which Mount Carmel (9-3) has dominated lately. The Caravan won 28-0 in Week 2, their sixth straight win in a series they lead 68-33 with three ties. Few players can impact a game like quarterback Jack Elliott, a Vanderbilt commit whose dual-threat capability makes the Caravan offense go. His targets include Cooper Lehman, who had a program-record 255 receiving yards against Nazareth, and freshman Marshaun Thornton. St. Rita (10-2) has playmakers of its own in running back Nick Herman, quarterback Steven Armbruster and two-way standout Justin Buckner.
Class 6A: No. 5 Cary-Grove at No. 9 Geneva, 1 p.m. Saturday
Cary-Grove (12-0) is looking for its fourth trip to the state finals — and fourth Class 6A title — since 2018. The Trojans lost star fullback Logan Abrams to a season-ending injury. But quarterback Peyton Seaburg and running back Holden Boone have kept a potent ground game chugging along for an offense that averages 43.5 points a game. Geneva (11-1) is in the semifinals for the first time since 2008 behind an explosive offense led by quarterback Tony Chahino (2,896 yards, 44 touchdowns), Georgia-bound receiver Talyn Taylor (65 catches, 1,302 yards, 22 TDs), receiver Finn Weppner (36 catches, 824 yards, 13 TDs) and running back Michael Rumoro (936 yards, 11 TDs).
Class 5A: No. 8 St. Francis at No. 6 Nazareth, 1 p.m. Saturday
This is the fourth meeting in 13 months for the west suburban rivals. St. Francis (10-2) won both regular-season games, but Nazareth (10-2) prevailed 38-31 in last year's semifinals en route to its second straight Class 5A title and fourth state championship since 2018. Quarterback Brady Palmer and receiver Ian Willis are an effective pass-and-catch duo for St. Francis. Four-year starting quarterback Logan Malachuk, receiver Jake Cestone and running back Lesroy Tittle are some playmakers for Nazareth's offense, while edge rusher Gabe Kaminski (Stanford) and defensive back Garrett Reese (Indiana) lead the defense.