IHSA postpones football state finals due to winter storm

For the first time in 51 years, the Illinois High School Association has called a timeout for state football championship games.

Due to a winter storm warning that includes the Bloomington-Normal area, the IHSA announced Friday that Class 5A, 6A, 7A and 8A championship games scheduled for Saturday would be postponed. The Class 1A, 2A, 4A and 4A championship games were played Friday as scheduled.

Heavy snow, strong winds and hazardous roads are expected, according to the National Weather Service. As a result, host state Illinois announced its campus would be closed Saturday.

“The safety of student-athletes, coaches, officials and spectators remains our top priority,” the IHSA said in a press release.

Saturday’s schedule featured Providence vs. Wheaton St. Francis in 5A, East St. Louis vs. Fenwick in 6A, Brother Rice vs. St. Rita in 7A and Mount Carmel vs. Oswego in 8A. The IHSA said it is working with Illinois state leaders to determine a new date for those games. The matches will not be played on Sunday.

“The postponement of the IHSA state football finals is unprecedented in the 51-year history of the state playoffs,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “All teams competing in classes 5A, 6A, 7A and 8A have been alerted that their state championship games will not be played on November 29, but will be played in the coming days.

“We appreciate the patience and understanding of these schools and communities as we work to determine the best and safest solution to reschedule these competitions and crown state champions in our four largest classes.”