Overview
- Three IHSA title games kick off in Normal: Providence vs. Wheaton St. Francis in 5A at 10 a.m., Brother Rice vs. St. Rita in 7A at 4 p.m., and Mount Carmel vs. Oswego in 8A at 7 p.m.
- Undefeated Mount Carmel (13-0) chases a 17th championship behind Emmett Dowling, who threw for 341 yards and four TDs in the semifinal and has 3,588 passing yards with 44 TDs this season; opponent Oswego is allowing 10 points per game.
- Brother Rice (12-1) has topped 40 points in every playoff game and won each by at least 24, led by Army-bound quarterback CJ Gray with 22 passing and 12 rushing touchdowns.
- St. Rita enters the rematch on a scoring surge with 110 points over its last two games, now featuring healthy seniors Steven Armbruster at quarterback and Walter Jones at receiver, while sophomore Jack Schapendonk starred with two sacks in the semifinal.
- Providence leans on backs Broden Mackert (1,610 yards, 22 TDs) and Brayden McKay (739 yards, 11 TDs) in pursuit of an 11th title, with a snow forecast cited as a potential edge against pass-leaning St. Francis and standout receiver Dario Milivojevic.