5A, 6A, 7A, 8A State Semi Final Previews

Scott Burgess November 20, 2024 @ 09:00 AM

We have officially reached the state semis of the IHSA playoffs!  Here we dive into the 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A semis and the players to watch.   5A   #13 Morris at #6 Joliet Catholic   Morris pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the quarterfinals knocking out top seeded Morgan Park.  [player_tooltip player_id='1261800' first='Jack' last='Wheeler'] at tight end and offensive lineman in the 2027 class [player_tooltip player_id='1344896' first='Brogan' last='Kjellesvik'] are the two prospects to watch for Morris.  JCA went on the road and rolled higher seeded Peoria 43-8.  They have a ton of offensive star power in the backfield with Craig Peacock, [player_tooltip player_id='401593' first='Anthony' last='Finnegan'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1292307' first='Keegan' last='Farnaus'].  Pair of high level defenders in the 2026 class for Joliet Catholic include [player_tooltip player_id='401608' first='Ian' last='Campbell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='401618' first='Kingston' last='Dunagan'].   #4 Wheaton St. Francis at #3 Nazareth   What a showdown!  The number of prospects here is so long to list everyone.  Wheaton St. Francis has star power with a loaded junior group of [player_tooltip player_id='1399937' first='Gavin' last='Mueller'], [player_tooltip player_id='212322' first='Zachary' last='Washington'], [player_tooltip player_id='401596' first='Brady' last='Palmer'], [player_tooltip player_id='801979' first='Cooper' last='Paukstis'], [player_tooltip player_id='212315' first='Jalen' last='Carter'], [player_tooltip player_id='212321' first='Tanner' last='Glock'], and [player_tooltip player_id='401595' first='Brady' last='Hill'].  Nazareth has a superstar in top 10 2025 defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='278245' first='Gabe' last='Kaminski'] who is headed to Stanford.  They have an explosive offense which was shown in their 42-8 win over Rochelle in the quarters led by Indiana commit [player_tooltip player_id='162591' first='Garrett' last='Reese'], lineman [player_tooltip player_id='831101' first='Sam' last='Stec'], and super sleeper [player_tooltip player_id='118787' first='Logan' last='Malachuk'] at QB.   6A   #1 Cary-Grove at #3 Geneva   It was no problem at all for Cary-Grove in the quarters as they completely rolled 42-7 against Belvidere North.  They are squarely looking at an epic title game against East St. Louis across the bracket.  Geneva is standing in their way.  That includes the #4 overall prospect in the state and Georgia commit [player_tooltip player_id='278883' first='Talyn' last='Taylor'] who is the best wide receiver in Illinois.  He is the game changer that could make plays on Cary-Grove's elite defense.   #2 Oak Lawn Richards at #1 East St. Louis   Richards narrowly got by Kankakee in the quarters with a 21-20 victory.  We are big fans of what 2026 defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='801706' first='Ahmad' last='Buchanan'] brings with his typewriter footwork on the backend.  He is going to need to bring his A+ game against the speed all over the field for East St. Louis including [player_tooltip player_id='1335411' first='Ronnie' last='Gomiller'], [player_tooltip player_id='419226' first='Royce' last='Searcy'], and Laron Baker Jr on the perimeter.  They have two star backs in [player_tooltip player_id='278888' first='TaRyan' last='Martin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='179193' first='Larevious' last='Woods'] to go along with a big time QB in [player_tooltip player_id='831102' first='Kendrick' last='Lyons'].  Their defense has superstars all over the field.   7A   #19 Mt. Carmel at #10 St. Rita   No one is surprised to see Mt. Carmel here and despite the number next to their name they have been the favorites in 7A from the second the bracket was unveiled.  Their combination of player of the year candidate [player_tooltip player_id='131488' first='Jack' last='Elliott'] at QB and their elite defensive front three of [player_tooltip player_id='270192' first='Braeden' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='1538329' first='Joey' last='Quinn'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1682021' first='Caleb' last='Tucker'] is SCARY.  St. Rita will get to be on their home field and won't be intimidated by another Chicago Catholic League opponent.  They dismantled higher seeded and undefeated Quincy in the quarters 49-14.  Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='830849' first='James' last='Kingsbury'] is one of the best defenders in the senior class.  He has help from 2026 corner [player_tooltip player_id='1400840' first='James' last='Franklin'].  The 2026 pass catchers [player_tooltip player_id='401629' first='Walter' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1400013' first='Lucas' last='Davis'] are two to watch.   #4 Batavia at #24 Lincoln Way Central   Batavia comes into this game at 11-1 on the season after knocking off Downers Grove North 17-7 this past weekend.  They do it with physicality and toughness on both sides of the line with [player_tooltip player_id='1292150' first='Malachi' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1120487' first='Ryan' last='Myers'].  Lincoln Way Central is the biggest surprise team among all the big schools to make the semis.  They went on the road to knock off Bradley Bourbounnias 28-16.  Ethan Toolsey is an offensive lineman to track in the senior class.   8A   #12 Loyola at #1 Lincoln Way East   This will be the one everyone is looking at as the game of the weekend.  Two powerhouse programs.  Star power on both sides for each squad.  Could very well be the two best teams in the Chicagoland area this year.  Lincoln Way East has the #1 junior in the state [player_tooltip player_id='800191' first='Jonas' last='Williams'] who is committed early to Oregon.  He has pass catchers in [player_tooltip player_id='1292272' first='Talan' last='White'] and [player_tooltip player_id='830853' first='Trey' last='Zvonar'].  Defensively they have a pair of elite edge players in Northwestern commit [player_tooltip player_id='832141' first='Caden' last='O'Rourke'] and junior stud [player_tooltip player_id='801702' first='Jacob' last='Alexander']!  They smashed Stevenson 45-0 to advance to this round.  Loyola got past Maine South in an impressive 35-21 win.  [player_tooltip player_id='1292076' first='Ryan' last='Fitzgerald'] is one of the best QBs in the state and his fellow Iowa commit [player_tooltip player_id='831094' first='Drew' last='MacPherson'] is a playmaker!   #14 York at #7 Naperville Central   York moved to 10-2 on the year with a 34-15 victory against Warren.  Notre Dame commit [player_tooltip player_id='163858' first='Joseph' last='Reiff'] is an impact player on the defensive line as is exciting offensive playmaker [player_tooltip player_id='832150' first='Bruno' last='Massel'] on the other side of the ball.  Naperville Central went on the road taking it to higher seeded Lyons 24-7.  Vandy defensive lineman commit [player_tooltip player_id='1291993' first='Jake' last='Stanish'] leads the way along with a pair of sleeper seniors in [player_tooltip player_id='830847' first='Gavin' last='Wade'] and [player_tooltip player_id='331560' first='Deshaun' last='Williams'].

We have officially reached the state semis of the IHSA playoffs! Here we dive into the 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A semis and the players to watch.