Athens vs. Wilmington: How to watch Illinois 2A football state championship game

Watch Athens and Wilmington battle for Illinois 2A championship

The Athens Warriors and Wilmington Wildcats will face off at 1 p.m. CT on Friday afternoon in the Illinois Class 2A championship game at Hancock Stadium in Normal.

>> Follow live updates from Lena-Winslow vs. Camp Point Central here <<

Athens, which has won 10 or more games in four of the past seven seasons, is seeking its first state football championship. 

Wilmington is trying to win its second state title in nine seasons after winning the Class 3A championship in 2014 with a perfect 14-0 campaign. 

You can watch Athens vs. Wilmington live on the NFHS Network.

Top 25 Illinois high school football rankings (11/21/2023)

HOW TO WATCH ATHENS VS. WILMINGTON

What: Illinois Class 2A football championship game

When: 1:00 p.m. Central Time on Friday, November 24

Where: Hancock Stadium | Normal, Illinois

How to watch the live stream online: You can watch this game live on the NFHS Network

Live score updates: Follow the game on SBLive Sports for live score updates

features coverage of Illinois high school football including previews, team rankings, top player lists and much more. Follow your favorite teams on SBLive's live high school football scoreboard and download the SBLive Sports App.

Illinois high school football: Players to watch at the Illinois state championships

Athens (11-2)

Athens edged Nashville, 28-27, in the quarterfinals before rolling over Shelbyville 39-6 in the semifinals to reach the championship game.  

The senior-laden and run-heavy Warriors are averaging 369.9 rushing yards per game, with senior running back Camren Bigard (1,864 rushing yards, 18 TDs) and senior fullback Cory Craig Jr. (1,684 rushing yards, 28 TDs) leading the way. 

Senior linebacker Brayden Leathers (137 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception) leads the Warriors' defense. 

Wilmington (12-1)

Wilmington takes a 12-game win streak into the championship game, though the Wildcats needed overtime to defeat Seneca 20-14 in the quarterfinals. They defeated Maroa-Forsyth 42-7 in the semifinals to advance.

Like its opponent in the title game, Wilmington also features a run-heavy offense. The Wildcats average 346 rushing yards per game and Kyle Farrell, a 5-foot-11, 184-pound junior, leads the way with 2,056 rushing yards and 32 total TDs. 

Wilmington also has a weapon on special teams in kicker Reid Juster, who has made six field goal attempts with a long of 54 yards. 

Vote: Who should be SBLive's Illinois High School Athlete of the Week (11/20/2023)?

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ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEWS

Players to watch at the Illinois football state championships

Illinois 1A title game preview: Lena-Winslow vs. Camp Point Central

Illinois 3A title game preview: Byron vs. Mt. Carmel

Illinois 4A title game preview: Rochester vs. St. Laurence

Illinois high school football all-state: 2023 IHSFCA all-state teams

More coverage: Get live Illinois high school football scores on SBLive Sports. To follow your favorite teams check out the SBLive live high school football scoreboard and download the SBLive Sports App.

- Nate Latsch | latsch@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveIL