Fenwick pulled off an incredible upset in Saturday’s Class 6A semifinal, stunning the heavily favored Nazareth Academy Roadrunners in overtime. The Friars won 28-27 in a thrilling matchup at Nazareth Academy High School on Nov. 22. Now all eight state championships are locked in for next weekend at Hancock Stadium in Normal.
Cagliari faces Lecce tonight in Serie A showdown, Rossoblu seek top-half push
Girona faces Barcelona tonight in La Liga showdown, Barcelona chases lead
🔥 Quick Facts:
- Fenwick 28, Nazareth Academy 27 in overtime on Nov. 22
- Fenwick advances to Class 6A championship as 11 seed
- Nazareth was the 1 seed with 11-1 record entering the game
- Championship games happen Saturday, Nov. 29 at Hancock Stadium
- Jamen Williams led Fenwick as senior quarterback
What Happened
Nobody saw this one coming. Fenwick walked into the battle as an 11 seed, scrappy and hungry. Meanwhile, Nazareth Academy was the 1 seed in the North Bracket. The Roadrunners had dominated their first three playoff games. But here’s the thing—tournaments don’t always go as planned.
East Texas A&M faces Southeastern in Family Fun Day matchup today
Macclesfield faces Brentford tonight in FA Cup fourth-round showdown
The Friars came out firing on all cylinders. They’d been scoring at will all postseason. Through the first three rounds, Fenwick had won each contest by margins of at least 28 points. So not many folks gave Nazareth credit for just staying close. But they did.
The game came down to wire. Overtime beckoned. Then Fenwick found a way to convert when it mattered most. The 28-27 victory shocked the crowd and sent Oak Park‘s squad to the state championship game.
Why This Matters
This upset sends shockwaves through Illinois high school football. Nazareth Academy has won state titles before. They’ve got prestige. They’ve got pedigree. But that 1 seed doesn’t guarantee anything when you face a team with the offensive firepower of Fenwick.
For Fenwick, this is massive. Making the state championship game is rare enough. Doing it as an 11 seed while pulling off the upset? That’s the stuff of legend. Their senior quarterback Jamen Williams gets to chase a state title in his final game. Williams was just named the Chicago Catholic League White Offensive Player of the Year. Now he gears up for the biggest stage of his high school career.
The Bracket Picture
The Class 6A championship is now set for Saturday, Nov. 29. It’ll be played at Hancock Stadium in Normal at 1 p.m.
| Semifinal Results | Score | Seed |
|---|---|---|
| Fenwick (South) | 28, Nazareth 27 (OT) | 11 seed |
| East St. Louis (North) | TBA | 8 seed |
The championship matchup pairs Fenwick against whoever emerges from East St. Louis vs. St. Laurence. That semifinal was happening on Nov. 22 as well. All eyes will be on Fenwick and Williams trying to finish the storybook run.
What To Watch For
Next weekend’s championship games are massive. Here’s what matters:
- Fenwick’s offense has been unstoppable all year. Can they maintain it against a rested opponent?
- Jamen Williams proves whether his award was justified with a title game performance
- Non-seeded and lower-seeded teams can absolutely shock the favorites in the playoffs
- Hancock Stadium will be packed with Illinois high school football fans for several days
- All eight championship games air live on NFHS Network and local TV stations
Can Fenwick Complete the Fairytale?
That’s the question everyone’s asking. Fenwick came as an 11 seed. They’ve demolished everyone in their path except Nazareth, who pushed them to OT. Their senior quarterback just won an individual award. The narrative is perfect.
But championship games are different beasts. Everyone brings their best. Experience matters. Pressure mounts. Will Fenwick have enough left in the tank? Or will East St. Louis or St. Laurence have the final say?
One thing’s for sure—this playoff run has already put Oak Park‘s football program on the map. The Friars have shown they belong with anyone in Class 6A.
Sources
- Illinois High School Association (IHSA) – Official playoff schedules and results
- Chicago Sun-Times – IHSA playoff coverage and scores
- Shaw Local – Playoff analysis and semifinal previews
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.