The Redskins have arrived to the Class 5A state final after a 28-14 win over Metamora in the fog. Morris also has beaten Peoria Notre Dame (49-0), Bishop McNamara (31-20) and Troy Triad (27-16) this post season. The Redskins won the Surburban Prairie Red conference and enter the state finals with a perfect 13-0 record. Morris wasn't even a playoff qualifier in 2000 but have returned to the state final game on a mission!

So what will we see from Morris? From the offensive side of the ball this could be the biggest question of them all! The Redskins are as comfortable spreading the field on offense as they are lining up and playing smash-mouth football....and have played both styles with great success this season! Junior QB Benji Kennedy (6'1" 180) is a dangerous dual threat at QB, and All State senior RB Eric Strait (6'0" 210) is a load and a half! The Redskins O line is good sized (averages 6'1" 230) and quick......speed is an overwhelming theme on this Morris team! Defense? Again quick as they come....and senior All State LB Josh Tischer (6'1" 210) will be right at home in Memorial Stadium....he's verballed to Illinois. The rest of the Redskins defense is fast and tough!

Joliet Catholic has made it to the Class 5A state finals by beating Rochelle 44-8 in the Class 5A semifinals. Joliet Catholic has also beaten Bremen (44-0), St Viator (64-7) and Riverside-Brookfield (56-50) this post season. The Hilltoppers won the rugged Catholic Metro White conference and it's only loss was to Chicago Mount Carmel 35-21 in Week 2.

So what will we see from Joliet Catholic? Power football at it's finest. JCA's senior two-time All State RB JR Zweirzynski (6'3" 230) is again on a tear and has rushed for over 2,000 yards again in 2001. Senior RB Chris Gruber (5'11" 160) also has broken the 1,000 yards rushing mark this season for JCA. The Hilltopper O line is HUGE (averages 6'2" 253) and the line is capable of dominating opposing teams defensive lines.....on defense? The Hilltoppers defense is full of young talent....as well as some seriously tough upperclassmen. The D line is again HUGE with senior DT Mike Kolodziej (6'8" 292) in the middle.....youth you ask? Freshman LB Chris Jeske (5'11' 190) is in the middle along with two sophomores (5'11' 170 lb DB Bobby Buchanon and 6'4" 240lb DT Jim Jadron) and three juniors (6'3" 217lb LB Ryan Lincoln/5'11' 185lb LB Chris Bayci/6'4" 215 DE Brad Sing)....the lines are big and the defense overall is as physical as they come!

EDGY's take on the Class 5A State title game? Strap it up because this one will be one of the hardest hitting games you'll see......both schools know each other well and expect a potential classic in the making!

EDGY's Class 5A 2001 State Champ? Joliet Catholic! I can easily see this one going to the wire.....the key? If JCA's offense can keep the Redskins defense on their heels and have long drives from the get go......it's JCA's ball game.....and if Morris can strike quickly and if the defense can get a few 3 and outs early against the JCA offense......then it's Morris. I like the Morris overall team speed to be a factor here, especially on the Memorial Stadium turf, but the Hilltoppers have been here and have done this before....never discount this team in a state title game!