Fenwick High School football team beats East St. Louis Flyers to take home state championship

CHICAGO (WLS) -- They were considered significant underdogs at the state football championships, and the Fenwick Friars proved all the predictions wrong.

The Oak Park Catholic high school football team was honored Thursday morning in an all-school pep rally, after they took home the state championship earlier this week.

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This state title, players say, is one for the books.

Packing the Fenwick Fieldhouse, Friar Nation was all jacked up, after the immense Illinois High School Association, or IHSA, football Class 6A state championship victory over the East St. Louis Flyers days ago.

This is head coach Matt Battaglia's second state win at the helm of the program.

"These kids, I've known them since they've been in sixth, seventh, eighth grade," Battaglia said. "It's not so much you want to win the game, you just don't want to see these kids let down."

Fenwick High School hosted an early-morning victory rally for the Friars, hot off their 38-28 win over the favored Flyers, making this momentous milestone that much more satisfying.

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"I love it. Keep picking against us. It takes away all the pressure from our guys. They were used to it, being picked against," Battaglia said.

For the players themselves, the celebration was simply a "pinch me" moment - one they will never forget.

"Oh my God, it was crazy. It's still a surreal feeling. I can't believe that we just won state," Fenwick High School senior Michael Murphy said.

Graduating state champions are now leaving advice for future Friars on the football field.

"Get in the gym. Get used to being uncomfortable. Get comfortable being uncomfortable," Tommy Thies said.

"Just keep working hard. Trust in God and trust in your faith because He always has a plan for you," Jamen Williams said.

The last time the Friars took home a state title was back in 2021 for Class 5A.