The 2026 regular season is in the books. The playoff field has been unveiled. It’s on to the state football tournament. For the first time ever, seven Little Illini Conference teams are playing in the post-season. But, how did we get here?
Let’s take a look back at Week 9. Here’s what happened last weekend:
Newton 62, Marshall 6
Newton rolled up 416 yards in total offense as the Eagles overwhelmed Marshall with 35 first-half points. Maddox Horner rushed for four touchdowns while gaining 132 yards on only eight carries. Newton struck quickly throughout – seven of the nine scoring drives took three plays or less. Eagles QB Hayden Mulvey completed nine of 12 passes for 160 yards. Marshall was limited to 92 yards on the ground. Max Welsh led the way with 42 yards on 15 carries. Lions QB Luke Brodie passed for 45 yards on 2-of-7 passing and one TD.
Paris 41, Casey-Westfield 13
Paris finished the regular-season on a three-game winning streak. The Tigers led 41-0 before Casey-Westfield put up two late scores. Kipton Bradford led the winners with 99 rushing yards on 12 carries. Dawson Rogers added 70 yards (on 12 trips) and Maddox Hutchings 52 yards on eight carries. Paris QB Drew Kirby was 4-of-6 in the air for 110 yards and two TDs. Casey-Westfield was led on the ground by Riley Phillips, who carried 48 yards on four carries. Nick Fouty added 32 yards. QB Carter Stinson was 3-of-6 in the air for 15 yards.
Robinson 47, Olney 29
Quarterback Jetson Hoalt scored two of his four touchdowns in the third quarter Saturday as the Maroons rallied to the upset win, clinching a playoff spot in the process. Hoalt rushed for 120 yards on 25 carries. He only threw six passes all day as all buy 70 of Robinson’s 384 yards of offense came on the ground. Olney countered in the air. Tigers QB Owen Cycholl was 11-of-21 in the air for 237 yards and two touchdown passes. Cooper Hires caught five passes for 94 yards and one TD.
Mt. Carmel 46, Lawrenceville 0
Mt. Carmel completed its first 9-0 regular season since 2021. The Golden Aces defense held Lawrenceville to -5 yards rushing. Quarterback River Deisher completed 5-of-10 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Shain Meador, the leading receiver in the state (Class 3A), according to Max Preps, caught three passes for 96 yards and one score. Lawrenceville QB Blayton Gossett finished 5-of-15 in the air for 51 yards. Mt. Carmel finished with a third straight shutout win for the first time since 1989.
Some of the statistics used in this report are unofficial.
