Elmhurst York vs. Loyola Academy: Live score, updates in 8A Illinois football state championship

Loyola Academy seeking 3-peat in state's largest classification

Loyola Academy plays York on Saturday for the Class 8A Illinois high school football state championship. / Ricky Slaughter

Wilmette Loyola Academy is back in the Illinois high school football Class 8A state championship game for the third year in a row. The Ramblers would be the first 8A team to 3-peat since Park Ridge Maine South won three straight from 2008-10.

The Ramblers have faced off against Frankfort Lincoln-Way East for the past two years, but this year they will face Elmhurst York. Loyola Academy beat Lincon-Way East in the semifinals last week, 27-24.

This will be the Dukes' first-ever trip to the championship game. York defeated Naperville Central, 20-15, last week. Both teams are 11-2 heading into this game.

York and Loyola has recent history. The Ramblers beat the Dukes in two recent semifinal games: 30-3 in 2022 and 23-14 in 2023.

ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD

Loyola Academy is full of future Division I players. The list features DB Drew MacPherson (Iowa), LB Donovan Robinson (Washington), QB Ryan Fitzgerald (Iowa), TE Brendan Loftus (Miami of Ohio), DE Tommy Ghislandi (Army) and DL Connor Sullivan (South Dakota State).

York defensive lineman Joseph Reiff is ranked the No. 11 player in the state, according to 247Sports. He’s committed to Notre Dame. QB Bruno Massel has thrown for 1,461 yards and 11 TDs with 3 interceptions and has run 132 times for 1,097 yards and 17 scores.

Follow along below for live updates from the Class 8A Illinois high school school football state championship game, which is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 30.

You can also watch Loyola Academy vs. York live on the NFHS Network (subscription required).

Loyola Academy vs. York, Class 8A championship game live updates

York won toss but deferred; Temperature 23 degrees and feels like 12 in Normal

1ST QUARTER

TOUCHDOWN YORK! RB Jimmy Conners gets a handoff and runs off right tackle, avoids a tackle at the 40 and is off to the races. 74-yard touchdwn. York 7, Loyola Academy 0

TOUCHDOWN LOYOLA! Ryan Fitzgerald to Will Carlson for 18 yards for a score. It is the 9th TD of the year for Carlson. Loyola 7, York 7, 5:59 left.

York facing a 2nd-and-35 situation after a bevy of penalties. 1:47 left in 1st.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS! York goes for on 4th down and throws an incomplete pass on a close call near the end zone.

END OF 1ST QUARTER: York 7, Loyola 7

SECOND QUARTER

Conners injured and on the ground with 10:48 left. He was out earlier with an injury and returned. He's coming off the field without any use of right leg. He's a two-way starter for York.

TOUCHDOWN LOYOLA! Drew MacPherson with a 12-yard run score for Ramblers with 8:40 left. Comes a play after Fitzgerald hit Gavin Vradenburg for a 36-yard gain. Loyola 14, York 7

TOUCHDOWN YORK! QB Bruno Masel runs for a 4-yard touchdown with 6:01 left. Another tie game. Loyola 14, York 14

TOUCHDOWN LOYOLA! A future Iowa connection with Fitzgerald hitting MacPherson for 16 yards. 2:58 left. Loyola 21, York 14

END OF 2ND QUARTER: Loyola 21, York 14

THIRD QUARTER

TV announcer said that Conners will not return for York. He's a starting RB and LB for the Dukes.

More Illinois high school football news

Illinois (IHSA) high school football playoffs: 2024 brackets, state championship matchups, game times

Dierre Hill, Oregon Ducks commit, racks up 518 yards, 7 touchdowns in state championship win

Top 25 Illinois High School Football Rankings (11/27/2024)

Best college football prospects still playing for state championships in 2024 high school playoffs

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-- Cody Thorn | @sblivesports