A quick glance at the state championship games:
Class 5A
Joliet Catholic (11-2) vs. Montini (9-4)
10 a.m. Saturday.
Key for Joliet Catholic: Run the ball effectively and slow down the Montini passing game.
Unsung hero: Sophomore QB Anthony Maddie.
Key for Montini: Throw the ball and keep the turnovers and mistakes to a minimum.
Unsung hero: Senior RB/LB Ryan Gorrell.
Class 6A
Cary-Grove (13-0) vs. Providence (12-1)
1 p.m. Saturday.
Key for Cary-Grove: Run the ball/option effectively and slow down the Providence offense.
Unsung hero: Senior QB Tyler Krebs.
Key for Providence : Stuff Cary-Grove’s option and run and pass well on offense.
Unsung hero: Senior kicker Alec Pickett.
Class 7A
Wheaton Warr. South (12-1) vs. Glenbard West (13-0)
4 p.m. Saturday.
Key for Wheaton South: QB Reilly O’Toole has another big passing day and the defense doesn’t stop running.
Unsung hero: Senior OG/K Nick Immekus.
Key for Glenbard West: Get some three-and-outs on defense and control the ball and finish drives with points.
Unsung hero: Senior QB Tyler Warden.
Class 8A
Maine South (13-0) vs. Marist (11-2)
7 p.m. Saturday.
Key for Maine South: Have a big day with the passing game and get RB Matt Perez healthy. Get defensive pressure against the Redhawks’ spread offense.
Unsung hero: Senior DB/WR Ronnie Muck.
Key for Marist : Pressure the Maine South defense with Mike Perish and company. Get defensive pressure against the Hawks’ spread offense.
Unsung hero: Junior RB McKinley Moore.
The real winner
The IHSA. With temperatures in the low 50s and a clear and dry day and evening, the overall gate for Saturday’s semifinals was outstanding. Now, could we get one more decent weather weekend, please?
In a class by itself?
Joliet Catholic has outscored its playoff opponents 184-33 and has had three running-clock games. The Hilltoppers are seeking their 14th title. Not bad for a team expected to be really good in 2010, as the backfield features several talented underclassmen along with senior RB Jordan Lyles.
The streak continues
Top-ranked Maine South has run its winning streak to 27. The last time the Hawks lost? The 2007 Class 8A quarterfinals, when they were defeated by Mount Carmel 21-14.
Record-setter
Check out Lexington senior RB T.J. Stinde in Friday’s Class 1A final. With 268 yards in Saturday’s 27-20 victory over Lena-Winslow, he has rushed for an IHSA-record 3,194 yards this season. He also scored three times, tying the single- season mark for rushing touchdowns with 45.
