The Nashville Hornets scored a 37 to 35 come from behind victory on Saturday to play in the Class 2A State Championship game after scoring a field goal with five seconds left on the clock.
Nashville was down 35 to 21 to Decatur St. Theresa with 8:26 left in the fourth quarter when Nashville started to turn the game around. Connor Gladson took a handoff from Kolen Gajewski 29 yards for a touchdown. With the extra point, Nashville now trailed 35 to 28.
On the kickoff that followed, the Hornets recovered an onside kick at midfield. Gajewski connected with Isaac Turner for a 52-yard touchdown on 3rd and 8. The point after touchdown was blocked, leaving Decatur St. Theresa with just a one-point lead 35-34.
The Hornet once again recovered an onside kick but were unable to score. However, with five seconds to play when Nashville once again had the ball, Eduardo Garibay was able to kick the winning field goal to give Nashville a 37 to 35 win.
Nashville will now take on Wilmington for the state championship. They beat Downs Tri-Valley to advance 42-14. Nashville will be seeking their first state title on their third trip to the state championship game.
In other semi-final action on Saturday:
Class 8A Semifinal=
Lockport 35, Loyola 21
Maine South 35, Marist 33
Class 7A Semifinal=
St. Rita 42, Prospect 20
Wheaton North 45, Brother Rice 27
Class 6A Semifinal=
Cary-Grove 40, Lake Forest 7
East St. Louis 54, Crete-Monee 13
Class 5A Semifinal=
Fenwick 17, Sycamore 6
Kankakee 41, Morton 14
Class 4A Semifinal=
Joliet Catholic 35, Richmond-Burton 18
Class 2A Semifinal=
Nashville 37, Decatur St. Teresa 35
Wilmington 42, Downs Tri-Valley 14
Class 1A Semifinal=
Carrollton 28, Moweaqua Central A&M 14
Lena-Winslow 28, Colfax Ridgeview 12
