IHSA State Football Playoffs: Breese Central, Cahokia, Nashville play quarterfinal games

Breese Central, Cahokia and Nashville all saw their seasons end in the quarterfinal round of the IHSA football postseason.

Althoff advanced to the Class 1A semifinals with a win over Casey-Westfield Saturday, while East St. Louis moved on in 6A by defeating Chatham Glenwood.

Here is a quick look at those games.

CLASS 4A

NO. 12 MT. ZION BRAVES at NO. 1 BREESE CENTRAL COUGARS

The Cougars saw their outstanding season end with a 17-3 loss to the Braves.

Breese Central finished 11-1, while Mt. Zion improved to 9-3. The Braves now face now face No. 10 Normal University (10-2) in the semifinals Saturday, Nov. 23.

The Braves scored early, completing a long pass and converting a touchdown on the next play, which perhaps set the tone for the game.

“On their very first drive we had a blown coverage, probably the first time all year someone got behind us. They scored the next play,” Central coach Brian Short said. “Offensively, we just couldn’t get it going tonight, which is unusual for us. Defensively, we played well across the board. They have some good athletes over there. We just couldn’t get it going.”

While disappointed with the outcome, Short offered high praise for his team. Breese Central posted the best season in school history, while advancing to the quarterfinals for the third time in four seasons.

He added making the quarterfinals, five years ago, was “a pipe dream.”

“This was the best season in school history, and these guys set out for it to be that way,” Short said. “Your work ethic has to be greater than your expectations and these guys accomplished that. They were ready to go week in and week out. I’ve had a lot of groups not like that. They are an elite group of young men.

“This is the standard they set: This program is here to compete and do well. They’ve done their community, their school and their coaches very proud.”

In their previous two playoff games, the Cougars defeated No. 16 Harrisburg 42-7 and No. 9 Murphysboro 34-7.

NO. 10 NORMAL UNIVERSITY PIONEERS at NO. 6 CAHOKIA COMANCHES

The Pioneers eased past the Comanches 31-12 in a quarterfinal game.

Normal University bolted to a 14-0 lead before the Comanches drew within 14-6. However, the Pioneers put the foot on the gas after that and ultimately posted a 19-point verdict.

Cahokia’s season ended at 9-3. Normal University improved to 10-2 and now will face either No. 1 Breese Central or No. 12 Mt. Zion in the state semifinals. That game still is still taking place.

In their previous two playoff games, the Comanches defeated No. 11 Columbia 30-17 and No. 3 Waterloo 40-20.

CLASS 3A

NO. 4 SEED NASHVILLE HORNETS at NO. 9 SEED TOLONO UNITY ROCKETS

The Hornets’ season came to end following a 47-24 loss to the Rockets. Nashville finished 10-2, while Tolono Unity improved to 9-3.

Tolono Unity now faces No. 6 Monticello (10-2) in the state semifinals Saturday, Nov. 23.

In previous playoff action, the Hornets defeated No. 13 Stanford Olympia 42-35 and No. 5 Greenville 41-21.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

Althoff and East St. Louis advanced to semifinal games in Class 1A and 6A, respectively, with quarterfinal wins Saturday.

Here is a quick look at times and dates of potential state championship games for the remaining local teams. All games will take place at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal.

CLASS 1A: 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 29

CLASS 6A: 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30