Althoff, East St. Louis to begin quest for football titles as playoffs set to commence

The regular season for metro-east football teams has concluded, and the chase for a state championship begins in earnest Friday night.

Althoff and East St. Louis will open the postseason at home, while Belleville East heads north in Round 1. Twelve other metro-east times will see IHSA playoff action, representing the region in all eight enrollment categories.

Here is a look at those games along with a snapshot of other local playoff contests Friday-Saturday.

CLASS 1A

NO. 16 DUPO TIGERS at NO. 1 ALTHOFF CRUSADERS

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Althoff High School.

Althoff coach: Austin Frazier.

2024 record: 9-0.

Week 9 result: The Crusaders defeated Kaneland 14-10.

Players to watch: University of Oregon commit Dierre Hill Jr., a senior RB, enjoyed a fantastic regular season for the Crusaders, leading the entire area in several categories. Overall, he has rushed for 1,516 yards and 26 touchdowns. His status for this week’s game is undetermined. Sophomore QB Jayden Ellington has thrown for 1,589 yards and 26 touchdowns against just 2 interceptions. Senior WR Charleston Coldon has caught 32 passes for 633 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Dupo coach: Zach Klaustermeier. His team is the 16 seed.

2024 record: 5-4 overall. The Tigers went 3-2 in Cahokia Conference action (Illinois Division).

Week 9 result: Dupo lost to Nashville 48-7.

Player to watch: QB Deegan Prater threw for 1,453 yards and 16 touchdowns during the regular season. He also rushed for 954 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Additional notes: Hill Jr. was injured against Granite City and did not play against Kaneland. His status for the Dupo game is uncertain.

Round 2: The winner faces either No. 8 Winchester (6-3) or No. 9 Carrollton (6-3).

CLASS 5A

NO. 13 MORRIS at NO. 4 TRIAD KNIGHTS

Kickoff: 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Triad High School.

Triad coach: Calvin Potthast.

2024 record: 7-2 overall. The Knights finished at 4-1 in Mississippi Valley Conference play.

Week 9 result: Triad lost to Collinsville 34-17.

Players to watch: Senior QB Isaac Ackerman threw for 1,077 yards and 11 touchdowns during the regular season, while also rushing for 554 yards and 8 touchdowns. Senior WR Ian Dempsey finished regular season action with 567 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

Morris coach: Alan Thorson.

2024 record: 5-4 overall. Morris finished 3-2 in the Interstate 8 Conference.

Week 9 result: Morris lost to Byron Center 48-28.

Additional note: A potential 2nd round match-up against MVC rival Highland looms for Triad, which lost to the Bulldogs 14-7 on Oct. 11.

Round 2: The winner faces either No. 5 Highland (7-2) or No. 12 Marion (6-3).

NO. 12 MARION WILDCATS at NO. 5 HIGHLAND BULLDOGS

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Triad High School.

Highland coach: Jimmy Warnecke

2024 record: 6-3 overall. Bulldogs finished at 4-1 in Mississippi Valley Conference play.

Week 9 result: Highland defeated Decatur St. Teresa 55-7.

Players to watch: Junior QB Blake Gelly threw for 1,449 yards and 14 touchdowns during the regular season, while rushing for 400 yards and 3 touchdowns. His favorite target was junior WR Wyatt Rinderer, who hauled in 31 passes for 419 yards during the regular season. Senior RB Tyson Rakers, meanwhile, rushed posted 16 rushing touchdowns.

Marion coach: Jason Dunning.

2024 record: 6-3 overall. The Wildcats finished 2-2 in the South Central Conference.

Week 9 result: Marion defeated Mattoon 55-34.

Player to watch: QB Callahan Roper threw for 1,971 yards and 22 touchdowns during the regular season.

Additional note: After starting the season 2-3, the Bulldogs surged down the stretch, capturing their final 4 contests, which included outputs of 63 twice and 55. However, the highlight of this recent stretch was a 14-7 win against MVC rival Triad.

Round 2: The winner faces either No. 4 Triad (7-2) or No. 13 Morris (5-4).

CLASS 6A

NO. 16 SPRINGFIELD SENATORS at NO. 1 EAST ST. LOUIS FLYERS

Kickoff: 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at East St. Louis High School.

East St. Louis coach: Darren Sunkett.

2024 record: 8-1 overall. The Flyers finished 5-0 in Southwestern Conference action to claim the league crown.

Week 9 result: The Flyers lost to IMG Academy from Florida 14-13.

Players to watch: Senior QB Kendrick Lyons threw 17 touchdown passes during the regular seaosn, including 7 to sophomore WR Ronnie GoMiller. Senior RB Larevious Woods has 11 rushing touchdowns.

Springfield coach: Jon Hebb.

2024 record: 5-4 overall. The Senators went 3-2 in the Central State Eight - West Conference.

Week 9 result: The Senators lost to Glenwood 49-21.

Player to Watch: Junior QB Brody Scheffler threw for 1,893 yards and 16 touchdown passes in the regular season. Junior WR Kale Thurman averaged 118.9 receiving yards per game, while grabbing 7 touchdown passes.

Additional notes: The Flyers are seeking their 11th state football championship; after a string of blowouts in Weeks 4-7, the last two contests for the Flyers have been far closer. Including the setback to IMG Academy, the week prior, East St. Louis defeated Edwardsville 14-7.

Round 2: The winner faces either No. 8 Normal West (7-2) or No. 9 Chicago Simeon (7-2).

CLASS 7A

NO. 29 COLLINSVILLE KAHOKS at NO. 4 BATAVIA

Kickoff: 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Batavia High School.

Collinsville coach: Colton Rhodes.

2024 record: 5-4.

Week 9 result: The Kahoks defeated Triad 34-17.

Players to watch: Senior QB Chase Reynolds has rushed for 1,035 yards and 13 touchdowns while throwing for 817 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Batavia coach: Dennis Piron.

2024 record: 8-1 overall. The Bulldogs went 6-1 in the DuKane Football Conference.

Week 9 result: The Bulldogs defeated Glenbard North 35-34.

Players to watch: Senior RB Nathan Whitwell averaged 140 yards per game and had 24 total touchdowns during the regular season. Junior QB Bodi Anderson threw 12 touchdown passes in the regular season.

Additional note: This marks the 4th-straight year the Kahoks have made the playoffs.

Round 2: The winner faces either No. 13 Pekin (7-2) or No. 20 Lincoln Way West (6-3).

CLASS 8A

NO. 21 BELLEVILLE EAST LANCERS at NO. 12 LOYOLA ACADEMY RAMBLERS

Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Belleville East High School.

Belleville East coach: Michael Harrison.

2024 record: 6-3 overall. The Lancers finished 3-2 in Southwestern Conference play.

Week 9 result: Belleville East defeated Granite City 71-0.

Players to watch: Sophomore QB Kingston Jones threw 10 touchdown passes during the regular season, while junior RB Jaedon Beamon rushed for 697 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Loyola Academy coach: Beau Desherow

2024 record: 7-2. The Ramblers went 3-0 in the CCL/ESCC - Blue Conference.

Week 9 result: The Ramblers defeated Chicago Mt. Carmel 31-7.

Player to watch: Senior QB Ryan Fitzgerald threw 11 touchdown passes in the regular season. Senior RB Drew MacPherson rushed for 10 touchdowns.

Additional note: The two teams have one common opponent from this fall — East St. Louis. The Flyers defeated the Ramblers 34-7 and beat the Lancers 40-0.

Round 2: The winner faces either No. 5 Marist (8-1) or No. 28 Glenbrook South (5-4).

REMAINING PLAYOFF GAMES

Here is a list of the other first round playoff games:

Class 2A

• No. 16 Red Bud (5-4) at No. 1 Johnston City (8-0): 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. at Johnston City High School. The winner faces either No. 8 Warrensburg-Latham (7-2) or No. 9 White County (7-2).

Class 3A

• No. 13 Olympia at No. 4 Nashville (8-1): 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Nashville High School. The winner faces either No. 5 Greenville (8-1) or No. 12 Farfield (6-3).

• No. 9 Tolono Unity (7-2) at No. 8 Roxana (7-2): 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Roxana High School. The winner faces either No. 1 St. Joseph (9-0) or No. 16 West Frankfort (5-4).

Class 4A

• No. 16 Harrisburg (5-4) at No. 1 Breese Central (9-0): 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Breese Central High School. The winner faces either No. 8 Macomb (7-2) or No. 9 Murphysboro (7-2).

• No. 14 Taylorville (5-4) at No. 3 Waterloo (8-1): 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Waterloo High School. The winner faces either No. 6 Cahokia (7-2) or No. 11 Columbia (6-3).

• No. 11 Columbia (6-3) at No. 6 Cahokia (7-2): 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Columbia High School. The winner faces either No. 3 seed Waterloo (8-1) or No. 14 seed Taylorville (5-4).

Class 8A

• No. 19 Edwardsville (6-3) at No. 14 York (8-1): 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at York High School. The winner faces either No. 3 Oswego (9-0) or No. 30 Waubonsie Valley (5-4).

STATS LEADERS

Several metro-east football players enjoyed big regular seasons. Here is a look at how some of the top stars performed this fall:

• Dierre Hill, Jr., Althoff, RB, senior. Hill Jr. finished atop the leader board in the metropolitan St. Louis area in multiple categories, including touchdowns (32) and total points (196). He also was 4th in the area in rushing yards (1,516). Of note, the University of Oregon commit averaged a whopping 17.4 yards per carry, also first in the area by a wide margin.
• Zion Taylor, Cahokia, QB, senior. Taylor was 7th among area leaders in passing yards with 2,029. He also threw 18 touchdowns.
• Jayden Ellington, Althoff, QB, sophomore. Ellington finished tied for 1st among area leaders with 26 touchdown passes (against only 2 interceptions). He also is 2nd among area leaders in passing ratio at 163.857.
• Preston Baker, Breese Central, QB, senior. Baker finished among area leaders with 21 touchdown passes is 5th in the area with a passing ratio of 148.224.
• Omar Mims Jr., Cahokia, WR, junior. Mims Jr. finished 3rd in the area in return yards with 477 on 17 returns (28.06 yard average). He also finished among area leaders with an average of 23.4 yards per catch.
• Cooper Weik, Columbia, WR/DB, junior. Weik finished tied for 3rd in the area with 3 fumble recoveries.
• Isaac Phipps, Cahokia, DE/LB, senior. Phipps was among area leaders sacks with 8. He also tied for 3rd in the area with 3 fumble recoveries.
• Noah Ramirez, Edwardsville, RB/LB, senior. Ramirez finished tied for 3rd in the area with 3 fumble recoveries.
• Dane Olmstead, Freeburg, K, sophomore. Olmstead finished 5th in the area in kickoff average with 2,331 yards on 41 attempts (56.85 average)
• Devin Habermehl, Collinsville, OLB, senior. Habermehl finished 4th among area leaders in assiss with 58.
• Mason Voegele, Columbia, QB/DB, senior. Voegele finished tied for 3rd among area leaders with 5 interceptions.