The Illinois High School Association’s (IHSA) eight state championship football teams will get the opportunity to experience football’s greatest rivalry.
The Chicago Bears have invited the head coach and player representatives from each state championship team to Solider Field to see the Bears take on the Green Bay Packers on December 29, 2013. During halftime, all eight state title teams will be honored during a moment of on-field recognition. The ceremony will include state championship game highlights on the video boards, courtesy of Comcast SportsNet Chicago.
“The Chicago Bears are dedicated to supporting high school football throughout the state of Illinois, and we will be proud to recognize our 2013 football state champion teams during halftime of our game on December 29,” said Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey. “Winning a state title is a monumental accomplishment, and we look forward to congratulating each championship team.”
The Bears have also been honoring an outstanding IHSA high school football player and head coach during each week of the 2013 regular season through the High School All-Stars and Coach of the Week programs, respectively. The nine student-athletes and nine head coaches who were honored during the regular-season will also be recognized at the December 29 contest. The honorees are listed below.
"Illinois has many great things, high school football and the Chicago Bears are near the top,” said Mercer County High School football coach Nat Zunkel, who was recognized by the Bears last year after he led his squad to the Class 2A state title. “The Chicago Bears and their personnel announcing the IHSA State Champions at halftime of the game is what I consider a ‘forever moment’. Not only for the exceptional student-athletes in attendance, but for entire communities across the state."
The IHSA football state title games will be played at Huskie Stadium on the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb on Friday and Saturday, November 29-30. The Class 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A games will be contested on Friday, with the Class 5A, 6A, 7A and 8A games unfolding on Saturday.
2013 Chicago Bears High School Coaches of the Week
1. Dave Mohapp, Gurnee Warren
2. Mike Donatucci, Hoffman Estates
3. Scott Hamilton, Tolono Unity
4. Jeff Graham, Paxton-Buckley-Loda
5. Jim Innis, Argo
6. Kurt Becker, East Aurora
7. Nate Albaugh, Champaign Central
8. Joe Ryan, Sycamore
9. Tom Padjen, Thornton Fractional South
2013 Chicago Bears Weekly High School All-Stars
1. Mike Ivlow, Joliet Catholic Academy
2. Brian Johnson, Willowbrook
3. Justin Jackson, Glenbard North
4. Steve Isbell, Cerro Gordo/DeLand-Weldon/Bement
5. Korben Clark, Auburn
6. Marcus Edwards, Plainfield North
7. Jesse Setzer, PORTA
8. Gabe Green, Sacred Heart-Griffin
9. Storm Joop, St. Thomas More