Deep Dish Football Coach Big Pete's IHSA 2022 State Finals Preview Classes 1A

By: Peter "Coach Big Pete" Leinweber

Here we are IHSA football family the grand finale of the 2022 season. What a wild and crazy ride from the start of August were the dreams started around the great state of Illinois with sweat and hard work. We now have 16 teams left with only 8 championship trophies prepared to be handed out. We have a legend coaching his last game as head coach. We have a revenge game in 7A where a team felt they were wronged by the officials. In 8A we have a battle of titanic football powers ready to slug out to the final sound of the horn. 1A we have NUIC powerhouse trying to get another title brought back up North. 2A we have a surprise team trying to go for a major upset against central Illinois power who is hungry for a state championship.

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2022 IHSA STATE FINALS

Class 1A Title Game

Friday 10 AM

Lena Winslow vs Camp Point Central

Both Teams Undefeated

Lena Winslow Won 2021 Class 1A Title

Lena Winslow was considered one of the favorites in the preseason and has done nothing to think other wise.

Central does have speed that could compete with Lena and could upset

Players To Watch: Lena Winslow Gage Dunker & Gunnar Lobdell

Camp Point Central Isaac Genenbacher & Owen Roth

Favorite: Lena Winslow

Class 2A Title Game

Friday 1 PM

Tri-Valley vs St. Teresa

Bulldogs Undefeated & Tri-Valley Has Two Losses

St. Teresa loss To Forreston In 2016 Class 2A Title Game

St. Teresa was seen a strong title contender in 2A. Tri-Valley was seen as a top ten team and has lived up to expectations

Players To Watch: St. Teresa Royce Harper, Brycen Hendrix, Amare Wallace

Tri-Valley Blake Regenold

Favorite: St. Teresa

Class 3A State Title Game

Friday 4:00pm

ICCP vs Williamsville

Both teams suffered one loss in the regular season with ICCP losing to Joliet Catholic. Williamsville losing a tough game to Maroa Forsyth who ended up winning the conference. ICCP last won the state title back in 2018. Williamsville last won the state title in 2019.

ICCP exceeded expectations this season with taking down St. Francis in week 9. Williamsville was seen as contender and despite losing to the Trojans. The Bullets have been one of the more definitve challegers in 3A.

Players To Watch: ICCP KJ Parker, Jayden Sutton, Marcheon Griffin And Many More

Williamsville Jake Seman, Ethan Hinds, Jacob Finely

Favorite: ICCP

Class 4A State Title Game

Friday 7:00pm

Providence Catholic vs Sacred Heart Griffin

Two teams, and two different stories to tell. Providence Catholic first year Coach Plantz that have been tested all season and have passed. Celtics had 4 tough losses to teams but caught fire in the playoffs and have never looked back. Sacred Heart Griffin has been undefeated and coming back from 28 point defciet against rival Rochester. Legend Ken Leonard will be stepping down after the season, so you can bet the Cyclones want to get him a ring before he leaves.

Players To Watch: SHG Ty Lott, Keshon Singleton, Cory West, Madixx Morris MANY MORE

Providence Catholic Lucas Proudfoot, Jamari Tribett, Mason Santiago MANY MORE

Favorite: SHG

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Class 5A State Title Game

Saturday 10 AM

Nazareth vs Peoria

Nazareth got a great seeding in this years playoffs after subpar regular season. Peoria has been on fire and back to its old ways of putting up basketball scores. Peoria is back in the title game since their 2016 title win over Vernon Hills. Nazareth comes back with youth and talent not to mention a chip on their shoulders.

Players To Watch: Nazareth Justin Taylor, Logan Malachuk, Gabe Kaminski, William Beargie MANY MORE

Peoria Malachi Washington, Tino Gist, Duece Thornton, Landon Newby-Holsome MANY MORE

Favorite: Toss Up

Class 6A Title Game

Saturday 1:00 PM

Prairie Ridge vs East St. Louis

East St. Louis was suppose to be here and is seen as one of the best teams in the state of Illinois. The only losses they have come from out of state teams. Prairie Ridge is just like ESL in terms of they were seen as title contenders. East St. Louis has has trouble in the past with option teams and Pririae Ridge give teams nightmares. ESL has a offensive line that is made for the history books. East St. Louis lost to Priaire Ridge rival Cary Grove in last years title game. Prairie Ridge beat Nazareth in the 2019 title game.

Players To Watch: East St. Louis EVERYONE

Prairie Ridge Tyler Vasey, Nathanial Greetham, Logan Harlow

Favorite: Toss Up

Class 7A Title Game

Saturday 4:00pm

Mount Carmel vs Batavia

Mount Carmel has passed all the tests this season and been the number one team in the state of Illinois. They haven't lost game and have been the class of the state. Batavia was supposed to be here but had to take a different route (early losses). Batavia wants revenge after last year's playoff game loss against the Caravan. Battle of two great Illinois powerhouses with a title on the line.

Players To Watch: Mount Carmel Blainey Dowling, Darrion Dupree, Owen Shickel AND MANY MORE, Batavia Ryan Boe, Tyler Jansey, Ryan Whitwell, Jonathan Brown, Charlie Whelpley AND MANY MORE

Favorite: Mount Carmel

Class 8A Title Game

Saturday 7pm

Loyola Academy vs Lincoln Way East

Just like 7A a battle of two traditional powers featuring two of the top coaches in the IHSA. Loyola Academy was supposed to be here, and the only hiccup came against Mount Carmel in week 9. Lincoln Way is a youthful talented team that was seen as a team that could challenge for a semifinal spot this year but have exceeded expectations and made it to state. Excellent Offensive Lines are featured in this game.

Players To Watch: EVERYONE (LOL, I'M NOT KIDDING)

Favorite: Toss Up