Wendell Phillips is first Chicago public school to win Illinois state title

Wendell Phillips Academy made history on Friday night, becoming the first Chicago public school to win a state football championship.

Wendell Phillips Academy made history on Friday night, becoming the first Chicago public school to win a state football championship.

The Wildcats topped Beleville Althoff 51–7 at Northern Illinois University’s Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Ill. to win the Illinois High School Association’s Class 4A title game, and complete a perfect 13–0 season.

Last season, Wendell Phillips Academy became just the second Chicago Public League team to make the title game since the state playoffs began in 1974, falling 4928 to Rochester. This season, their season ended on a different note.

Senior quarterback Quayvon Skanes, a UConn commit, scored four rushing touchdowns and passed for another, totaling 141 yards on the ground and 44 through the air. Their defense forced five turnovers.

Wendell Phillips Academy has been featured twice on Sports Illustrated’s “Underdogs” series.

- Kenny Ducey