Maroa-Forsyth headed to State Title Game for first time since 2018

JOHNSON CITY, Ill. (WAND) - For the first time since 2018, Maroa-Forsyth Football is State Bound.

The Trojans took down top seeded Johnson City in the 2A State Semifinals 41-22 on Saturday.

Maroa-Forsyth scored the first 34 points of the game. Johnson City scored 22 unanswered points before Trojans wide receiver Mitch Williams delivered the knock out blow with his third touchdown of the day.

Williams also became Maroa-Forsyth's all-time leading receiver in the win.

"It was great to find the end zone," said Williams. "We have some many options so to see it go my way tonight was huge."

Quarterback Ryne Sheppard also set a record for most completions in a season.

Friday will be Maroa-Forsyth's 11th appearance in the State Title Game and their first since 2018.

"The older I get the more I need to do better about taking it all in, just appreciating what we do have," said head coach Josh Jostes. "Its why I chose to stay here, they gave a 25-year old a shot that had no business being there and this is what I envisioned."

In the postgame huddle, you could see Jostes tell his guys "Nobody said 'Hey coach my goal is to get to a state championship game, you said my goal is to...'"

His players responded with a resounding "WIN"

The goal can become a reality on Friday with a win over Chicago Christian at Illinois State University.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.