Our oldest boys defeat the North Lawndale Eagles for the State Championship
During their last season within the Hampshire Jr Whip-Purs program, our 13U team was determined to go out on top. Throughout the season they dominated their opponents on both sides of the ball, heading into the post-season as the #1 seed in Greater Illinois AYF with a 7-1 record (their only loss was to a D1 team in a crossover match).
During the first round of the playoffs, they defeated the Homewood Flossmoor Vikings 34 to 0 on their home field. The following weekend they traveled down to Romeoville High School to defeat the Naperville Patriots 21-13 following a big defensive stop at the 17 yard line with only 27 seconds left in the game. This win secured them the Greater Illinois AYF Conference Championship, and a ticket to the State Championship.
Fittingly, on November 13th, the 13U Whips got it done at Marist High School where they defeated the North Lawndale Eagles to secure the State Championship by a score of 14 to 0. This is the first State Championship won by a Hampshire Jr Whip-Purs team in the highly competetive AYF league. Many of these boys have played together since kindergarden, prior to the merger of the GPH Grizzlies and the Hampshire Wild Cats. The journey that these boys have had growing up in the system to become the number one team in the state of Illinois has been an amazing story to watch. They are an example of what every team in the Hampshie Jr. Whip-Purs strives to accomplish.
13U's tremendous season came to an end with a very close 22-19 loss at Regionals to St. Lous based Mathew Dickey Express during a frigid game in Indianapolis.
The entire organization is excited to continue to watch these boys as they take the next step as high school freshman during the 2023 season. Thank you to Coach Ed and his entire staff for all your hard work.