Illinois High School Football Championship Game Preview

Top-ranked Loyola’s offense has three main plays: running with Drew MacPherson, passing with MacPherson and running with quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald.

The key blocker on most of those Fitzgerald runs? MacPherson.

“(MacPherson) has breakaway speed,” Ramblers coach Beau Desherow said. “He’s a really good receiver too. His ability to block isn’t talked about enough. He is a devastating blocker. He is a completely selfless player who will do anything to win.”

MacPherson leads Loyola (11-2) in touchdowns (19), rushing yards (1,038) and receiving yards (678). The Iowa recruit will be a key focal point of York’s defense in the Class 8A state championship game on Saturday at Illinois State’s Hancock Stadium at 7 p.m.

On the other hand, Bruno Massel is the key. The Dukes’ quarterback might be the fastest in the state. The senior qualified for and medaled in the 100-meter and 4×100-meter relay for the Class 3A track and field finals last spring.

Massel against Loyola’s strong run defense is the duel that could decide the game. Mount Carmel and Lincoln-Way East, programs that pride themselves on their consistent running attacks, haven’t even attempted success on the ground against the Ramblers this season.

The Griffins ran just four rushing plays in the semifinals against Loyola, and the Caravan ran nine rushing plays in a loss to Loyola in Week 9.

“We take the run away pretty early,” Desherow said. “Our defensive line did a great job and our linebackers stepped up. They are players. Max Mendoza had a fantastic game (against Lincoln-Way East).”

This is the first title game appearance for York (11-2). The Ramblers, Mount Carmel in 7A and Nazareth in 5A are trying to make it a three-peat. All are favorites.

Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

Class 7A: Batavia (12-1) vs. Mount Carmel (10-3), 4 p.m. Sat.

This is a rivalry, but it’s one-sided. Mount Carmel finished Batavia’s last four seasons.

“The first time was a war,” Bulldogs coach Dennis Piron said. “The last three games, things happened in the first quarter that got out of control.”

The Caravan are young overall, but have solid experienced leaders on both sides in quarterback Jack Elliott and linebacker Matt Mucha.

Mucha led the team in tackles the last two seasons.

“Our defense is peaking at the right time,” Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch said. “Mucha is the best linebacker in the state and will be one of the best players on the field on Saturday.”

Batavia’s best weapon is senior running back Nathan Whitwell, who has rushed for 1,669 yards and 27 touchdowns. The Caravan are allowing 22 points per game, and the Bulldogs’ best chance for an upset might be getting into a high-scoring shootout.

Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

Class 6A: Geneva (12-1) vs. East St. Louis (12-1), 1 p.m. Sat.

The Flyers dominated Loyola in Week 1 and their only loss was 14-13 to IMG Academy, a preschool powerhouse from Florida. East St. Louis is the best team in the state.

Flyers quarterback Kendrick Lyons has thrown for 2,402 yards and 31 touchdowns. Keandre McClendon leads the team with 12 sacks.

Geneva counters with perhaps the most talented player in the state, Georgia signing Talyn Taylor. The senior wide receiver has scored 27 touchdowns.

Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

Class 5A: Nazareth (11-2) vs. Joliet Catholic (10-3), 10 a.m. Sat.

This could be the best game of the weekend. Nazareth is loaded with stars, including quarterback Logan Malachuk and linebacker Gabe Kaminski. The Roadrunners have a special group of receivers in Garrett Reese, Jake Cestone, Trenton Walker and James Penley.

“Kaminski has been in the starting lineup for four years and it’s a lot of fun to watch him,” said Nazareth coach Tim Racki. “He plays football the way it should be played.”

The Hilltoppers don’t have a big star, just a lot of experience. It’s a testament to the strength of the program, tied with Mount Carmel for the most state titles, that it advanced to another title game.

“This is probably the toughest schedule I’ve ever had as a coach or while playing here,” Joliet Catholic coach Jake Jaworski said. “We definitely learned from those three losses.”

Running backs Larry Stringham (14 TDs) and Nate Magrini (13 TDs) lead the Hilltoppers’ attack.

Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

Class 4A: DePaul Prep (10-3) vs. Mt. Zion (10-3), 7 p.m. Fri.

The Rams’ “Cinderella Run to State” is the best story of the playoffs. DePaul Prep boasts a gritty offense led by gritty quarterback Juju Rodriguez, running back Nick Martinez and receiver Braden Peevy.

Mt. Zion is a regular playoff contender, but this is also its first title game.

Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

Class 3A: Montini (11-2) vs. Monticello (11-2), 4 p.m. Fri.

Montini’s losses this season have come against the Catholic League’s larger powers, Marist and Fenwick. The Broncos, led by quarterback Israel Abrams (1,778 passing yards, 24 TDs), are the clear favorites.

Class 2A: Chicago Christian (12-1) vs. Maroa-Forsyth (12-1), 1 p.m. Fri.

The Palos Heights school, led by first-year coach CJ Cesario, could have its hands full with Maroa-Forsyth, one of the state’s traditional small-school forces. The Knights’ offense is balanced: Christian Flutman throws 23 TDs and Kenny Jager rushes for 27.