Weather Delays IHSA Football State Championships for 5A-8A Divisions

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In anticipation of severe winter weather conditions expected on Saturday, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has decided to postpone the Class 5A-8A football state finals. This decision was announced on Friday afternoon as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of participants and attendees.

The looming storm is projected to affect large areas of the state, including Bloomington-Normal, prompting Illinois State University to take the step of closing its campus on November 29. The closure directly impacts the IHSA Football State Finals, scheduled to be held at ISU’s Hancock Stadium in Normal. While the Class 1A-4A championship games are proceeding as planned on Friday, the weather has necessitated a delay for the subsequent day’s events.

As a result, the eagerly anticipated Class 5A-8A state championship games will not take place on the originally planned date. The IHSA and ISU officials are collaborating to reschedule these games, ensuring that all logistics are carefully considered. However, it has been confirmed that the games will not occur on Sunday, November 30. Further details on the new dates and times will be communicated once arrangements are finalized.

The Class 5A-8A state championship games scheduled for Saturday are being postponed as a result of the campus closure. The IHSA is currently working with ISU leadership to determine the dates and times of the remaining state title games. IHSA said the games will not be played on Sunday, Nov. 30.

“The postponement of the IHSA Football State Finals is unprecedented in the state playoffs 51-year history,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “All of the competing teams in Class 5A, 6A, 7A and 8A have been alerted that their state championship games will not be played on November 29, but that they will be played in the coming days. We appreciate the patience and understanding of these schools and communities as we work to determine the best and safest solution to rescheduling these contests and crowning state champions in our four largest classes.”