The IHSA and the Illinois Pork Producers Association are proud to announce that Olympia High School in Stanford has earned the title of best concession stand pork fare in the state of Illinois in 2023, as they win the third annual Pork and Pigskins State Championship!

Olympia’s pork chop sandwich beat out a field of nearly 50 IHSA schools in the grill off, which was sponsored by the Illinois Pork Producers Association. Over 100,000 votes were cast online to whittle the 48 competing schools down to the Savory 16. The IHSA then dispersed its expert judges to sample the fare at each of the Savory 16 schools, with the Spartans’ sandwich winning out on a rubric that included taste, aroma, and appearance. Olympia receives the Golden Spatula trophy for winning, along with a prize package from the Illinois Pork Producers Association.

“IPPA appreciates the opportunity to use pork as a way to bring schools and communities together,” said Illinois Pork Producers Association President Chad Leman. “High school football in the fall is a great time of year, and we are thrilled to be part of the excitement. We extend our congratulations to all of the schools who participated, but especially to the Olympia Spartans who took home the coveted Golden Spatula.”

Olympia High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) students have been grilling and selling pork chop sandwiches at Spartan home football games since at least the early 1980’s. The group is currently overseen by FFA Advisor Bryce Hoffman and grill master Reed Naughton. The student-led crew routinely cooks 400-500 sandwiches per game, with their homemade grill allowing for 75 chops to be prepared every 10 to 12 minutes.

“It is definitely a team effort every Friday in the fall,” said Hoffman.  “We have awesome support from everyone including school administration, the board of education, our alumni group and the whole community!  Everyone is really excited about this great honor.”

FFA Alumni member, Melvin Springer helped get the concession group started at Olympia. Hoffman adds that there is “never a shortage of students who sign-up” to be a part of the proud tradition, which helps the FFA Chapter raise money to allow the students to attend leadership events like the annual State and National FFA Conventions.  The chops are purchased locally from the IGA in Mackinaw, while students start covering the chops in Custom Pork BBQ Spice right after school on gamedays. Olympia FFA alumni and other supporters are on-hand to supervise the students and lend a hand when necessary.

Fans wanting to sample the state championship sandwich have at least one more chance this season, as Olympia will host Litchfield Coop this Saturday (October 28) at 1:00 PM in the First Round of the IHSA Football Playoffs.  

The 2023 field included the two previous state champs in Hall High School (2022) and Normal Community (2021). The 2023 Savory 16 included...