Byron vs. Mt. Carmel: How to watch Illinois 3A football state championship game

Watch Byron and Mt. Carmel battle for Illinois 3A championship

The Byron Tigers and Mt. Carmel Golden Aces will face off at 4 p.m. CT on Friday afternoon in the Illinois Class 3A championship game at Hancock Stadium in Normal.

>> Follow live updates from Byron vs. Mt. Carmel here <<

Byron has had a remarkable run over the past eight seasons. Coach Jeff Boyer's Tigers have posted seven seasons with 10 or more wins – the abbreviated 2020 schedule was the only time the Tigers didn't reach that mark – and are seeking their second undefeated championship campaign in three years.

Mt. Carmel has won 12 games for the second time in three seasons and is seeking its first state title since 1981 (3A) after finishing as the runner-up in 2001 (4A), 2002 (4A) and 2011 (3A). 

You can watch Byron vs. Mt. Carmel live on the NFHS Network.

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

What: Illinois Class 3A football championship game

When: 4:00 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

Byron (13-0)

Byron is back in the championship game for the second time in three seasons after losing in the semifinals a year ago. The Tigers, who went 14-0 to win the 3A title in 2021, won their first 12 games by 40 points or more before pulling out a 26-20 win in the semifinals over Montini. 

Boyer's squad is averaging 58 points per game – and allowing just 6.7 – with a run-heavy offensive attack that averages 402.7 rushing yards per contest. 

The Tigers have a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in sophomore fullback Caden Considine (1,477 rushing yards, 25 TDs) and junior wingback Brayden Knoll (1,038 rushing yards, 22 total TDs).  

Considine, a 6-foot, 205-pounder, leads the defense with 72 tackles (10 tackles for loss), two sacks and one interception from his middle linebacker spot. 

Mt. Carmel (12-1)

The Golden Aces, who take a 12-game win streak into the title game, are averaging 42.6 points per game and allowing 22.5 per contest. Coach Michael Brewer's squad is averaging 430.8 points per game with 3,665 rushing yards and 1,935 passing yards.

Senior quarterback Blayne Sisson leads the Golden Aces' attack. He has rushed for 2,081 yards and 36 touchdowns and passed for 1,762 yards with 15 TDs (and three interceptions). His favorite target is senior wide receiver Andrew Gillihan (60 receptions for 902 yards and six touchdowns). 

Mt. Carmel has been led defensively by senior inside linebacker Asher Kight (97 tackles, seven sacks), Gillihan (93 tackles, two INTs) at strong safety and sophomore inside linebacker Elliott Acree (90 tackles, three sacks, one INT).  

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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 2A title game preview: Athens vs. Wilmington

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