Wildcats are State bound

When Wilmington takes the field Friday for the IHSA Class 2A State Championship, they'll face one of the most tradition-rich small-school football programs in Illinois: The Maroa-Forsyth Trojans, a perennial contender with a history of deep postseason runs. The 1 p.m. title game sets up a compelling showdown—Wilmington's power-run, ball-control offense against a Maroa-Forsyth program that has made the state finals 12 times in school history, winning two state titles and finishing runners-up seven times under head coach Josh Jostes. Few Class 2A teams boast postseason consistency like Maroa-Forsyth. Under Jostes, the Trojans have 14 semifinal appearances with state titles won in 2006 (14-0) and 2012 (13-1). They enter this year's title game 12-2, their fourth consecutive 12-win season, returning to the championship for the second straight season after getting shutout 47-0 to Chicago Christian one year ago. The Trojans opened the year on a tear: Winning their first six games by outscoring opponents 318–48 including blowouts against Porta (53–0) and Riverton (55–0). Their only losses came in back-to-back weeks to Sangamon Conference rivals Stanford Olympia, (50–36) and Williamsville (39–20). Maroa finished the regular season 7–2. Once bracket play began the Trojans returned to form, beating Chester (26–14), Johnston City (41–6), Flora (48–12) and in the semifinal, Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond (28–6). Their defense has allowed just 38 points in four playoff games—while the offense has averaged 35.7 points per game. That compares to Wilmington who has dominated playoff opponents with just 15 points allowed while averaging 50.5 points, mostly in the first half, in four games. Maroa-Forsyth leans on speed backs and spread-option concepts, a high-efficiency passing game and multiple formations designed to create space. Leading the charge for the Trojans is All State quarterback #2 Ryne Sheppard, a senior, ranked third in state among all classes with 3,546 total yards with 172-for-230 passing for 2,879 yards including 39 touchdowns and 630 yards rushing. His go-to receiver is #12 Zach Smith (Sr.) who leads the state in receptions with 63 for 1,284 yards. He also was selected All State. When they run they like to give senior #3 Cayden Birmingham the ball. Their defense is anchored by senior DB Isaiah Bohlman (#88) who leads the state in tackles with 179. Also ranked for defensive stops is Trojan linebacker Troy Pulliam, a 6-4, 187 senior with 125 tackles, ninth best in the state. The Wildcats have defended well against the spread. Speed demons who have shut down opponents’ pass include Declan Moran (10 tackles in the semifinal), Billy Moore, Nate Cupples, Ryan Kettman, Jay Nevels, Brysen Meents and Ryan Schraeger. They may have given up 138 yards in 29 attempts to El Paso, but they prevented the Titans from scoring, doubling up on receivers and knocking down the ball. This will be Wilmington’s fifth appearance in a title game under coach Jeff Reents, including three firsts (2014, 2021 and 2023) and one second (2003). Senior co-captains Zach Ohlund, Logan Van Duyne and Kettman contributed to that 2023 championship. “Our defense now is every bit as good as that 2023 team,” Ohlund commented. “I say that only because of our defensive coordinator, our head coach. Coach Reents always comes up with a good game plan. All our coaches give us a good game plan. They tell us what we're gonna see and what we need to do leading up to game time. All week they will be prepping us for this one. With our experience on the line, we can win this.” Van Duyne is certain his teammates are up to task. “There’s a lot of belief in our locker room. Our confidence is running high, we know what we have to do as a team and if it means a lot of reps this week in practice we’re ready. Prepped is an understatement. We mess up one time on a play, we’ll have 20 more after that. But we are fine with that because it will get us closer to that final goal of bringing home a state trophy. After 13 weeks that’s the one goal left.” It’s no secret Kettman is Wilmington’s rushing leader with a staggering 1,566 yards in 117 attempts for 13.48 yards per carry. That ranks him 16th best in the state while his 28 touchdowns are fourth best in the state. Let’s be honest, Kettman’s totals would be much higher had the Wildcats needed him a full four quarters. That only happened during the Morris and Coal City games, the 11 others were blowouts when the starters were rested after two quarters. If Maroa-Forsyth is lucky enough to catch Kettman, offensive coordinator Barry Southall knows he has other options like Hunter Kaitschuck with 949 yards rushing in 68 attempts, almost 14 yards per carry, or QB Billy Moore with 828 yards and 13 TDs. Also lethal is Nate Cupples with 581 yards in 50 rushes or the unselfish fullback Ryan Schraeger with 554 yards in 32 carries. Wilmington’s identity is ball control, physical line play, disciplined defense and a ground attack that wears teams down. Controlling time of possession and limiting explosive plays will be essential for Wilmington. “We talk about that being a big part of playoff football. You know where the effort has to be, and we want to gang tackle and make sure that we're doing our jobs,” Reents said. “We’ve grown a lot from that Morris game (season opener), and I think we took a lot of lessons from that game. We’ve just gotten better and better all year. “I think our kids are a tight group on and off the field. That shows they're a veteran group, particularly up front. If we have an advantage it very well may be our kids up front. They do a great job getting those holes for our running backs. I’m proud of our team, our community, and that we can represent them at state this week. “For our program to do that is outstanding. For me it says a lot about my great coaching staff. They’re guys that have stuck together, and I just can't say enough about them. And for our support here at Wilmington, it's been tremendous. I am thankful the good Lord put me here in Wilmington, and we're part of a great program. Both programs bring elite coaching, postseason experience, and senior-heavy rosters hungry for the trophy. Two blue-collar towns, two powerhouse programs, one final game to decide the Class 2A champion.