11U–Nyquist: Chasing Their First Championship

The 11U–Nyquist squad is heading to their first-ever Chicagoland Pop Warner Division 3 Illinois State Championship, taking on the Rockford Renegades.

These two teams last met in Week 1, when Rockford narrowly escaped with a 13–12 victory. That one-point loss fueled our boys all season long, propelling them to nine straight wins, including two dominant playoff victories. Over the course of the year, they’ve recorded six shutouts, outscoring opponents 190–27. Now they’re ready to prove that Week 1 was the anomaly — and that this time, it’s their turn to shine. 

Kickoff is Sunday, Nov 2nd at 2:15 p.m. at Plainfield South High School. 

12U–Navarro: The Reigning Champs Return

The 2024 Division 2 State Champs are back in the Finals and ready to defend what’s theirs! The 12U–Navarro team has notched five shutouts this season while posting a 5–3 record. In the Semi-Finals, they avenged their Week 6 loss to the Leyden Bears in emphatic fashion, winning 42–8, and sending a message to the league.

This Saturday, they’ll face another familiar opponent — the Plainfield Saints, who edged them earlier this season in Week 7. With 173 points scored and only 55 allowed, Coach Navarro’s team is ready to finish strong and make it back-to-back State Championships.

Kickoff is Saturday, Nov 1st at 4:00 p.m. at Plainfield South High School. 

Celebrating a Season of Growth Across the Program

While 11U–Nyquist and 12U–Navarro continue their postseason runs, there were other Jr. Whip-Purs teams that made the postseason and deserve recognition for their growth and success this season.

• 13U–Majcher wrapped up their youth football journey with an impressive 43–11 record over five seasons, reaching at least the Semi-Finals every year and making three State Championship appearances.
• 13U–Levin bounced back from a 1–7 season last year to notch four wins, including a Bowl victory over Shabbona Park.
• 12U–Bentley finished the regular season 6–2, advanced through the first round of playoffs, and narrowly fell to the Bolingbrook Trojans in a hard-fought matchup. Their explosive offense tallied 233 points while giving up just 88, making them — along with 11U–Nyquist — one of only two teams to go the entire season without being shut out.
• 10U-Ackerley made their second trip to the postseason where they lost a tough first round match up against the number 1 seed.  Next season they look to come back even stronger and make a deeper run in the playoffs. 
• 7U-Barone won their Pop Warner Bowl against their Week 8 opponents Oriole Park Falcons.  Look out, because they have a taste for winning now!