STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: IL Stars of the Weekend

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The following 5 prospects from the Land of Lincoln put up monster performances in their respective IHSA state title games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["118787"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"If there is one thing about Nazareth Football, it's that they know how to come from behind. After a rough start to the season, the Roadrunners clawed their way into the playoffs. After a rough start to the 5A State Championship, the Roadrunners clawed their way to victory. Malachuk was a big reason why, as the junior quarterback threw for 414 yards and 4 touchdowns. Malachuk played his best football when it mattered most, throughout the playoffs. The dual-threat QB is a dynamic playmaker who is a rising star within the Land of Lincoln.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["131488"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"One of the top quarterbacks in the Class of 2025 shined once again on the biggest stage, as Mount Carmel repeated as back-to-back 7A State Champions. They earned a 35-10 victory over Downers Grove North. This was their 3rd title in the last 4 years, and 15th all-time, tying Joliet Catholic for the Illinois record. Elliot was efficient, completing 76% of his passes for 284 yards and 3 total touchdowns. The dynamic junior holds multiple offers from MAC schools and will be back next season to attempt the 3-peat for the Caravan.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1292076' first='Ryan' last='Fitzgerald']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Loyola ","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Another junior signal caller who dazzled in Normal over the weekend, Fitzgerald led the Ramblers to an 8A State Championship victory over Lincoln-Way East. He combined for close to 300 yards, with 3 total touchdowns and a 81% completion percentage. Of Fitzgerald's stats, 89 yards and 1 of his touchdowns came on the ground. He is a big and physical runner with a powerful arm. Fitzgerald can consistent fit balls into tight windows and takes what the defense gives him by finding holes in the opposing defenses coverage. With one more season left at Loyola, Fitzgerald will be atop nearly every team's recruiting board after his breakout junior season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Kyle Farrell","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Wilmington","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The junior tailback put together a breakout season for the ages. On 24 carries, Farrell tallied almost 200 yards and a touchdown on the ground in Friday's 2A State Championship. As Wilmington defeated Athens 28-3, Farrell continued to grind down his opponent just as he has done all season. The physical and downhill back showcases the ability to run through tackles, juke defenders in the open field, and has the breakaway speed to take it to the house. As Farrell comes back for more next year, keep an eye on this rising star.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["354051"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"While it was not the result that St. Laurence wanted, their star tailback gave it his all in a loss to Rochester. Ball, a 6'0 205 lbs running back, rushed for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns in the 4A State Championship game. Ball has been one of the best backs in the state this season, willing the Vikings to an improbable state title run week-in and week-out. The big back runs smoothly in the open field and possesses breakaway speed that makes him a home-run threat every time he touches the ball. Ball gave his commitment to Illinois a week before the game kicked off.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6566515b1490c"} /-->