The state finals in football are set after the semifinals on Saturday. In 1a, Dierre Hill Jr carried it 13 times for 318 yards and 5 touchdowns as Belleville Althoff cruised past Camp Point Central 58-19. They will play Friday morning at Hancock Stadium in Normal against Lena Winslow starting at 10 am.
Johnston City lost their 2a semifinal to Maroa Forsyth 41-22.
In 4a, Mt Zion will play in its first-ever state title game. Illinois recruit Brayden Trimble had 3 touchdowns in the team’s 21-14 win over Normal U-High in a game played at Hancock Stadium. The Braves will return to Hancock Stadium on Friday night for a 7 p.m. kickoff with Chicago DePaul College Prep.
In 6a, East St Louis will head to their 5th straight state championship game and 16th in program history after their 48-0 win over Oak Lawn Richards. The Flyers will play Geneva who upset defending state champ Cary Grove in their game 28-26. East St Louis has 10 state titles on their resume and 4 since 2008. They will kick off Saturday at 1 pm.
