A powerful Joliet Catholic running game produced 428 yards and 5 touchdowns to end Peoria High's season in the IHSA Class 5A playoffs on Saturday.

Joliet Catholic’s Lucas Simulick (11) follows a block from Vince Bremner (32) against Nazareth in the Class 5A state championship game at Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

Joliet Catholic had a 28-0 lead at the half. The Hilltoppers, who never had to punt in the game, stopped the Cyclones on fourth down on two subsequent drives, and each time they went down the ...

The Roadrunners defeated Joliet Catholic, 29-27, in a rematch of last season’s Class 5A state championship to win their third straight championship. “It’s absolutely crazy,” Malachuk said.

Stay tuned. Joliet Catholic's Larry Stringham (24) leaps over a would-be Morris tackler in a Class 5A state semifinal game at Memorial Stadium in Joliet on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.

“And they grew up [in] the second half.” Mount Carmel’s defense contributed as well, stopping Joliet Catholic (4-3) on downs twice inside the Caravan 5-yard line and getting two takeaways.

Previewing some of this week's best games.For Joliet Catholic (3-1), this caps as tough a four-game stretch as any in the state so far. The Hilltoppers lost 17-0 to unbeaten Oswego, then handed ...