IHSA football playoffs 2018: Scores, highlights and more from the semifinals

The championship game matchups are booked across all eight classes for the 2018 IHSA state football playoffs after 32 teams clashed in the semifinals. The 16 remaining teams will head to Champaign next weekend to put it all on the line.

Loyola (10-3), Nazareth (12-1) and Montini (12-1) are among the teams that will be heading downstate for championship games next weekend. The Ramblers pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the playoffs by ending Lincoln-Way East’s 26-game winning streak with a 24-16 semifinal victory. The rematch of last year’s Class 8A title game lived up to the hype with Loyola hanging on behind a strong effort from quarterback Jack Fallon in front of a packed crowd.

Nazareth and St. Charles North (10-3) will meet in the Class 7A championship game after each pulled off surprising semifinal wins. The Roadrunners leaned on star running back Michael Love to topple previously unbeaten Batavia, 47-28, while St. Charles North earned its first-ever trip to the state title game by beating Mount Carmel, 27-21.

Here’s a rundown of the action from the semifinals of the 2018 IHSA state football playoffs. For more analysis and coverage, make sure to tune into “Sun-Times Game Week” at 4:30 p.m. Monday afternoon on the Chicago Sun-Times High School Sports Facebook page.

Semifinal scores

Class 8A

Brother Rice 14, Marist 3

Loyola 24, Lincoln-Way East 16

The Class 8A championship game will feature a pair of teams that experienced impressive turnarounds. Brother Rice improved to 13-0 on the season after beating Marist (11-2) in the semifinals, which is remarkable considering the Crusaders won just two games a year ago. Loyola never hit those sort of lows, but it was only a few months ago that the Ramblers were 3-3 and looking like little threat to make another playoff run. Now both teams are set to meet a title game that serves as the chance for each team to complete its story.

Class 7A

Nazareth 47, Batavia 28

St. Charles North 27, Mount Carmel 21 (OT)

Nazareth’s playmaking combination of quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Michael Love proved too much for yet another team. This time the victim was the defending Class 7A state champion and No. 2 team in the Sun-Times’ Super 25. Batavia (12-1) got behind early and couldn’t muster a big comeback behind Jack Meyer. St. Charles North stunned Mount Carmel in overtime after forcing a fumble, then converting for the touchdown quickly afterwards. Here’s the game-winning play and celebration:

Class 6A

Cary-Grove 28, Notre Dame 21

Crete-Monee 38, Richards 35

Cary-Grove (13-0) needed a last-minute touchdown run from senior running back Danny Daigle to survive in the semifinals against Notre Dame (10-3). The Dons racked up over 200 yards on the ground but their defense couldn’t stop a game-winning 80-yard drive late in the fourth quarter. Richards (12-1) wasn’t so fortunate on the other side of the bracket in an upset loss to Crete-Monee (10-3), which pulled off a miraculous comeback after trailing 35-23 with just over two minutes left in the game. The Warriors orchestrated a TD drive, recovered the onside kick and scored again to book their spot in Champaign.

Class 5A

Montini 42, Sterling 20

Joliet Catholic 42, Hillcrest 6

Joliet Catholic (9-4) not only put an end to Hillcrest’s unbeaten season, it routed the Hawks in a 36-point semifinal thrashing. Senior running back Keenan Hailey scored five touchdowns to help the Hilltoppers get a chance to play for their 14th state championship. They’ll face another tough test against Montini, which has looked very good other than a 31-0 loss to Brother Rice in mid-October. The Broncos are coming off a 22-point road win over Sterling (12-1) and should be ready to play in Champaign.

Class 4A

IC Catholic 28, Richmond-Burton 9

Bishop McNamara 52, Rochester 42

The Class 4A championship game is going to be a rematch between two teams that played a one-point game in mid-September. IC Catholic (13-0) kept up its strong defensive play in a 19-point win over Richmond-Burton (11-2) while Bishop McNamara (12-1) won a shootout over Rochester (11-2). The Fightin’ Irish’s only loss this season was the 21-20 defeat against the Knights on Sept. 14.

Class 3A

Byron 42, Herscher 0

Monticello 40, Carlinville 14

Byron (13-0) and Monticello (13-0) completed their domination of the Class 3A bracket to set up a showdown in the title game. The Tigers beat their four playoff opponents by an average of 37 points. The Sages beat theirs by an average of 36.5 points.

Class 2A

Gibson City 14, Eastland-Pearl City 7

Maroa-Forsyth 16, St. Teresa 14

Gibson City (13-0) and Maroa-Forsyth (13-0) ground out tight games against previously unbeaten opponents to book their spots in the Class 2A title game. The Falcons’ Ryland Holt scored the game-winning touchdown over Eastland-Pearl City (12-1) to break a 7-7 tie in the fourth quarter. Maroa-Forsyth topped St. Teresa (12-1) to reach the title game for the third consecutive year.

Class 1A

Forreston 34, Lena-Winslow 28

Camp Point Central 35, Argenta-Oreana 22

Camp Point Central (12-1) ended top-seeded Argenta-Oreana’s run in the semifinals. Next up will be a matchup against a Forreston team that’s won its past three games by a combined 10 points. Can the Cardinals hang on one last time for a state championship?

Photo gallery

Brother Rice’s John Bean (2) and his teammates celebrate after their 14-3 semi-final victory over Marist, Chicago, llinois, November 17, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

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Brother Rice’s John Bean (2) stands in the pocket looking for an open receiver during the Crusaders’ 14-3 semi-final victory over Marist, Chicago, llinois, November 17, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

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Brother Rice’s Anthony Arquilla (14) outruns the last Marist defender to score a touchdown as the Crusaders go on to win their semi-final game 14-3, Chicago, llinois, November 17, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

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Brother Rice’s David O’Keefe (87) heads up field after catching a pass for a big gain, Chicago, llinois, November 17, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

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Brother Rice’s John Bean (2) cuts to avoid Marist’s Jake Duerr (40) in the first half of the Crusaders’ 14-3 semi-final victory over the Redhawks, Chicago, llinois, November 17, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Brendan Furlong (20) runs up field. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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St. Charles North’s Kyler Brown (9) fires a short pass. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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St. Charles North’s Nicholas Demarco (35) gets his helmet twisted. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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St. Charles North’s Nicholas Demarco (35) gets away from Mount Carmel’s defense. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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St. Charles North’s Tyler Nubin (27) runs toward the sideline. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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St. Charles North’s Tyler Nubin (27) runs. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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St. Charles North’s Tyler Nubin (27) breaks away. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Tyler Nubin (27) of St. Charles North side steps Mount Carmel’s defense. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Mount Carmel’s Patrick Szczesniak (71) celebrates after his team scores. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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St. Charles North’s Ben Furtney (8) gets a sacks. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Rad Premovic (4) stays in the pocket. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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St. Charles North’s Alex Westendorf lifts up Tyler Nubin (27). Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Mount Carmel’s Kieran Conjar (31) fights for a first down. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Mount Carmel’s Kieran Conjar (31) gets knocked in the air. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Mount Carmel comes out at the beginning of the game. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Mount Carmel celebrates after scoring. Saturday 11-17-18 Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Brother Rice’s John Bean (2) cuts to avoid Marist’s Jake Duerr (40) in the first half of the Crusaders’ 14-3 semi-final victory over the Redhawks, Chicago, llinois, November 17, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

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Marist’s Mike Markett (5) throws a pass against Brother Rice, Chicago, llinois, November 17, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

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Marist’s Billy Skalitzky (9) catches a pass as the Redhawks play Brother Rice in the 8A semi-final game, Chicago, llinois, November 17, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

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Marist’s Hayden Mikesell (17) attempts a pass in the first half against Brother Rice, Chicago, llinois, November 17, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

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Brother Rice’s Anthony Arquilla (14) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown in the second half of the Crusaders’ 14-3 semi-final victory over Marist, Chicago, llinois, November 17, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

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Taft celebrates winning the city football title. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Taft is fired up after winning the city title. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Taft celebrates after winning the CPS football championship. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Taft’s Kobe Collins (80) celebrates. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Taft’s Daniel Loch (9) cheers. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Taft’s Roberto Salgado (26) barrels his way to a first down. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Taft’s Jermaine Johnson (3) runs. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Taft’s quarterback Daniel Loch passes. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Taft’s Jermaine Johnson (3) slips. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Solorio’s Messiah Travis (4) catches a touchdown. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Solorio’s BurlJunior (13) puts a hit on Taft’s Jermaine Johnson (3). Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Solorio’s Tyrell Williams (9) looks for a receiver. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Solorio’s Eric Rodriguez (26) celebrates after falling on a fumble. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Coming up next

Here’s the schedule for the state championship games:

Class 1A: Forreston vs. Camp Point Central, 10 a.m. Friday

Class 2A: Gibson City vs. Maroa-Forsyth, 1 p.m. Friday

Class 3A: Byron vs. Monticello, 4 p.m. Friday

Class 4A: IC Catholic vs. Bishop McNamara, 7 p.m. Friday

Class 5A: Montini vs. Joliet Catholic, 10 a.m. Saturday

Class 6A: Cary-Grove vs. Crete-Monee, 1 p.m. Saturday

Class 7A: Nazareth vs. St. Charles North, 4 p.m. Saturday

Class 8A: Brother Rice vs. Loyola, 7 p.m. Saturday

The new Super 25 and “Player of the Week” will be unveiled on Sun-Times Game Week on Facebook Live with Michael O’Brien, Annie Costabile and Beth Long at 4:30 p.m. CT Monday.