News Summary

Week 7 of the Illinois high school football season brought thrilling action, including stunning upsets and crucial playoff pushes. Notable highlights included Olympia’s shocking win over Maroa-Forsyth, Washington Panthers narrowly edging Dunlap Eagles, and Pekin Dragons holding onto their playoff hopes. Additionally, Peoria Notre Dame clinched playoff eligibility, while Illinois Valley Central celebrated their first win. As the season heads towards its climax, fans are eager for the final matchups that will determine playoff fates.

Week 7 Highlights: Exciting Upsets and Playoff Pushes in Illinois High School Football

This week, the bustling city of Peoria witnessed some thrilling action as Week 7 of the Illinois high school football season came to an end. With conference races heating up and teams scrambling for those critical playoff spots, fans were treated to nail-biting games and stunning upsets.

Olympia’s Stunning Triumph Over Maroa-Forsyth

One of the biggest surprises this week came as the Olympia team upset the top-ranked Maroa-Forsyth with a convincing score of 50-36. The game saw an outstanding performance from running back Jimmy Lollar, who dashed his way to an impressive 233 rushing yards. The team as a whole racked up a jaw-dropping total of 546 rushing yards. Not to be outdone, Brendon Hardimon also shined with 111 yards and four touchdowns, while Kaden Collins contributed with another 96 yards and two touchdowns to secure the monumental win.

Washington Panthers Edge Out Dunlap Eagles

In a closely contested Mid-Illini Conference showdown, the Washington Panthers bested the Dunlap Eagles 23-15, earning themselves a one-game lead in the standings. With this victory, the Panthers improved to 6-1 overall and 5-0 in conference play, solidifying their spot as the top team in Class 6A. Unfortunately for Dunlap, now sitting at 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the conference, they took a hard hit in their quest for playoff eligibility.

Pekin Dragons Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

The Pekin Dragons continued their fight for a playoff spot after defeating the Canton team 30-20. With only two games left against Limestone and East Peoria, they need victories in both to secure their shot at the postseason.

Peoria Notre Dame Clinches Playoff Eligibility

Alongside Pekin, Peoria Notre Dame celebrated a major milestone by clinching playoff eligibility after a resounding 53-19 victory over Bloomington. The star performers of the match included Dallas Harder with 146 rushing yards and Jamarahe Marizetts, who added 127 yards to the team’s total. By halftime, the team led 34-13, setting the tone for the remainder of the game.

Illinois Valley Central Finally Gets a Win

After struggling through the season, Illinois Valley Central finally got to celebrate as they marked their first win by defeating Rock Falls 28-0. The heroes of the game, Sawyer Ellenwood and Keegan Schol, each scored two touchdowns, bringing smiles to their fans.

Other Notable Performances

In other exciting matchups, Dunlap’s talented receiver Mack Sutter, who has caught the attention of Alabama scouts, snagged a 32-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Truman Tyra, which brought their score closer to Washington.

Morton led East Peoria 31-20 at halftime, thanks to the impressive performance of running back Keenan Smith, who scored two touchdowns. Meanwhile, East Peoria’s Aidin Hindert kept the action coming with a whopping 180 yards and three touchdowns in the first 16 minutes of play against Morton.

El Paso-Gridley’s Unbeaten Streak Continues

El Paso-Gridley maintained their undefeated status at 6-0, demonstrating their strength by leading Eureka 34-0 by halftime.

Exciting Developments Ahead

With the end of the season fast approaching, stay tuned for the upcoming key games, including the highly anticipated matchups between East Peoria and Morton, and Pekin facing off against the winless Limestone. And in a splendid side note, Princeville High School is now a finalist for a substantial $1 million facility upgrade after receiving $25,000 from T-Mobile as part of the Friday Night 5G Lights Sweepstakes.

The thrilling action of Week 7 not only showcased spectacular athleticism but also set the stage for an electrifying conclusion to the season. Fans and players alike are eager to see how everything will unfold as the playoffs inch closer!

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